The Indie Informer

Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is not what I was hoping for, to be upfront. Its predecessor captured my imagination with surprising authenticity and joyous exploration. And having played the first section of Moomintroll, it seemed the follow-up was set to continue in those footsteps. The game’s visuals are stunning. The characterization of the sweet, brave, and naive protagonist is also a high point. However, I was left out in the cold when it came to the design.

Story beat to story beat was locked on rails that made me feel the game just didn’t trust me to seek out adventure. It smothered the freedom of exploration. Wonder and discovery was chilled by characters uttering demanding hints constantly, especially when I simply wanted to get lost in the glittering landscape. Considering Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth noticeably elevated its mechanics, movement, and (unbelievably) its already stunning storybook art, it’s incredibly frustrating to feel unenthusiastic after rolling credits.

There are parts of my preview that remain true even at the end of Moomintroll. Here’s my original take on the world, which I still hold to:

My emotions soar and plummet like Moomintroll sliding over icy fields. The landscape glitters with liveliness. The snow dynamically parts as I crunch through it, foliage sways, winds race, and flakes dust the air. I would urge people to play for its beauty alone.

And if you are interested in that description despite all else, I do recommend you jump in just to revel in all of winter’s delights. As my title for this review alludes to, the game’s undeniable beauty has an uphill battle to fight.

Nonstop, urgent direction of this game knocks me right out of the cozy aura it works so hard to build. The game takes my hand from the outset and forgets to let go after the tutorial. I am rushed from objective to story beat like a snowball rolling downhill, picking up speed. Though the game’s source material frolics in the realm of childhood, Moomintroll makes the mistake of treating me like one.

At certain points, our brave little hero picks up new tools to help himself and his community through winter’s harshness. One of the earliest is a pair of mittens, which I can use to make snowball projectiles. These can help me destroy a horde of snowball menaces or open up a blocked path.

Sadly, when I see a perfectly noticeable dangling icicle and go to make my snowballs fly, my character will suddenly feel the need to remark on how I might be able to move forward if only those weren’t in the way. I can’t help but immediately respond, “Yeah, no, I got that. I see the big thing right in front of me.” This is the very thing I praised Snufkin — the team’s first Moomintroll-inspired game — for avoiding.

Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth has its frustrations, and I have difficulty categorizing it as cozy for that reason, though these walk side-by-side with mesmerizing artwork and endearing characters. If you go in properly armed for one and appreciative of the other, this game may be a pleasant six-hour trek.