Let it snow | Edge

Water gets all the credit. When gaming companies want to showcase new graphics technology, things tend to get wet; Scattering waves that can only be achieved using the latest physics engine, or puddles that can reflect the world around them thanks to ray tracing. But there’s something special about snow. Ice may not be as technically impressive as water, but when it comes to creating an in-game mood, snow can be very powerful. And two recent releases – Moomintroll: The warmth of winter and The frog hates snow -Really capture what snow can do.

Let’s start with Moomin. Winter warmth It is the second game based on the famous Finnish fantasy creatures, but, as the title suggests, this game takes place during the harsh Scandinavian winter. You play as Moomintroll, the only child in a family of rotund dwarves that look a lot like upright hippopotamuses. Usually, at this time of year, the whole family is asleep, hibernating during the harsh winter. But something woke him up early, and the game follows his adventures as he learns what the world is like during this time when he would normally be asleep.

As a game, Winter warmth It is fairly clear. In order to bring back spring, and to stay busy while his parents sleep, Moomintroll essentially becomes an errand boy for everyone in the valley. This means you’ll be exploring for anyone who needs a hand, whether it’s a puppy who finds himself stranded in the mountains, or mysterious creatures who need a hand with a torch. You’ll collect firewood, chase birds, and even rescue an adorable talking dog. The game is very easy to learn, making it suitable for all ages; My 10-year-old daughter and I have been playing it together, passing the controller back and forth as if we were sharing a storybook.

What makes Winter warmth Really stands out is the vibe. It has a hand-drawn look, as if one of the Moomins’ books came to life, but much of the mood is down to the weather. This game feel cold. It’s a sunny spring where I’m in southern Ontario, and yet when I play Winter warmth I feel the need to pack a blanket and a cup of something hot because of the snow.

Snow factors into the game in several ways. You’ll need to shovel paths, dig up lost objects (and in one case, a group of kids), roll giant balls to create bridges, and even get into real-life snowball fights. During one of the more intense scenes, you have to carry the aforementioned dog to a safe place while avoiding the intense winds of a blizzard. Snow also serves as a navigational tool; Your steps are steady, making it easy to see where you’ve already been and where you still need to explore. All of this combined gives the game a distinct winter feel.

The frog hates snowon the other hand, is not entirely comfortable. It’s a roguelike where you play a frog who probably hates snow because he’s completely surrounded by it. At the beginning of each round you find yourself in a warm bubble, which acts as an oasis in a very cold landscape. The goal is to get out, explore, and survive long enough to find a hidden door that opens the next area. Exploring means dealing with the dangers of the snow. You have to dig your way through the massive walls of objects that surround Froggy, periodically returning to your base to warm up, or you’ll die from exposure.

As you explore, you’ll find gold that you can use to upgrade your skills, as well as new equipment to help you progress further. As you start digging with your little frog hands, you eventually get a shovel, as well as a scarf to keep you warmer longer and skis to help you move faster. Everything is random, but there is a surprisingly large skill tree that can allow you to customize the frog to your needs. Soon you’ll have a devastating flamethrower and a comforting cup of tea.

The frog hates snow It has two main modes. The first is a more traditional roguelike structure, where enemies appear in waves and you have to use different weapons like a shovel and your tongue to fight them. But I was spending most of my time in the more adventure-focused mode that has no combat at all. This doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. It’s easy to lose yourself while digging in the endless snowfields, so that you won’t be able to return to warm up in time. But even without combat, there’s real joy in successfully defying the elements and seeing your frog steadily level up so you can explore more freely and see more of the strange world hidden beneath the snow. The game also has a lot of characters and levels that can be unlocked as you progress, so that you don’t feel repetitive every time you start your run.

These are two very different games, but both manage to capture the duality of snow: it can be fun and playful, or deadly and terrifying. It is a very special blend for the winter months, and The frog hates snow and Winter warmth Give you its taste without fear of frostbite.

_{The frog hates snow Available now on PC, PS5, Xbox and Switch; Moomintroll: The warmth of winter Available now on PC and Switch.}