Image via Hyper Games
in 2024, developer Hyper Games released Snufkin: Melody of Moomin Valley. It’s a cozy adventure set in the Moomin universe, and it converted me from being someone freaked out by the entire franchise into a die-hard fan.
As we head deeper into 2026, I’m very pleased to say we’ve got a sequel on the way in Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth. Ahead of the game’s April 27, 2026, release date, I had the chance to check out the demo (which is now available on Steam for everyone) and came away more than excited for the next cozy adventure this developer has cooked up.
Snufkin’s Spring Is Over, This Is Moomintroll’s Winter
If you played Snufkin: Melody of Moomin Valley, forget everything you know. Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is one of those sequels that abandons a lot of the mechanics of its predecessor because it’s a meaningful step forward.
The game is set, of course, in winter. All the animals, including the Moomins, are hibernating, and Snufkin has retreated to warmer climates. However, something has gone horribly wrong, and Moomintroll has awoken seemingly early in the dead of winter to an intruder in his home.
In the demo, we follow Moomintroll as he tries to understand what snow is, why he’s awake, and ultimately uncovers the truth that leads to his upcoming cozy quest. He’s got to restore winter, and those people and creatures of the valley still awake at this time of year are going to help him.
Moomintroll is a very different protagonist from Snufkin. He can’t play any instruments, at least not in the demo, and instead interacts more tangibly with the world around him. He stokes fires, lights lamps, and even throws snowballs to unlock new paths.
In the hour or so I played, I was pleased to see many familiar tropes making a return. Quests appear organically and seem meaty enough in a cozy kind of way that they’ll keep you busy through your entire playthrough. I love the way these games hand out new items and explain them in a way that’s entirely intrinsic to the story, filling in the void that so many games simply leave between a character getting something and suddenly using a brand new ability.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the use of weather with the environment in this game. Winter is much harsher than spring, and you can really feel it. The thick snow slows Moomintroll down, making you aim for paths trodden by others for a speed boost. The icy temperatures also play a big role in one section that I hope is repeated to add tension to scenes and gameplay.
The heart of this universe is the franchise itself. Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth is extremely faithful to its source material, with new and returning characters to meet and save the valley with. The art style and music are also brilliant, as expected, filling out the world so you feel as though you could lose yourself in it.
What really aids this is how environments will change based on Moomintroll’s perspective. When he’s scared in the cold and dark, sinister shapes fill the walls and floor. Shine a light in the room, though, and that sense of safety quickly establishes itself, the creepy faces evaporating. It’s a clever yet subtle way of immersing you in the character and adding an edge to what would otherwise be a far too cozy experience.
Overall, I’m thoroughly impressed by this game and the direction in which it’s heading. I can’t wait to play more and explore every nook and cranny Hyper Games has lovingly drawn and rendered for us to see when it comes to Steam and both generations of Nintendo Switch.
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