With the Winter season in full swing, it may be hard to find the right game to play during the Holidays. Maybe you’ll want to catch up on your backlog or buy something new during the annual Winter sales on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop, or Steam. Personally, I like to play games that fit the season: those that focus on the Winter season and have a snow-filled aesthetic that makes me want to never leave my bed.
Snowman Story is a very clear example of the magic of winter-themed games. Odencat released the title on December 16, 2023, for Steam. However, the game initially came out in 2021 on iOS and Android. It is a short two-hour experience where players take control of a snowman attempting to reach a “paradise” for beings like him. While the game isn’t what I expected, with a gameplay format that relies heavily on puzzles, it is still a charming adventure I would recommend to anyone looking to hunker down and play a relaxing game this Holiday season.
The Untold Story of a Snowman
The narrative of Snowman Story is simple on the surface. You take control of a snowman named Chris, created by a young boy during the snowy Holiday season. Despite being a seemingly ordinary snowman, Chris can move completely on his own and communicate with other creatures.
Thus, as Chris realizes that he’ll melt and die after a few months, he runs away from home to find a mythical paradise where snowmen can live out their days without fear of death. On his journey, he encounters several different animals and creatures, like polar bears, deer, and gorillas, in addition to other humans and snowmen. Each creature gives Chris an item that grants him a better understanding of the journey he’s embarking on.
While the game seems to have a basic story that you’d see out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, beneath the surface lies a deep meaning that highlights the importance of accepting life rather than running away from death. I won’t spoil anything, but by the end of Snowman Story, I was actually kind of emotional with the way that things wrapped up. It’s a great story, and thanks to the short runtime, there was never really a moment where the narrative felt slow or boring. That being said, the gameplay is where my enjoyment faltered just a bit.
Puzzles, Puzzles, and More Puzzles (Snowman Story Review)
Looking at the visual style of Snowman Story, I initially expected it to be a visual novel. Upon taking a closer look at the way each character looked, I then believed it was a game made in RPG Maker. Neither of these assumptions were correct. Instead, it’s a game that relies on short puzzles where you have to get from point A to point B. Chris must maneuver around ice physics and snow piles to cross a frozen lake and move on to the next area.
During each puzzle, a mole appears near the beginning of the puzzle. If you talk to the mole, he can give you a hint on how to solve the puzzle. If you solve it without asking for help, he gives Chris the Snowman a picture of him solving the puzzle. While these brain teasers were fun, they ended up getting really boring after the third time solving them.
Sure, there are some different obstacles added in each new puzzle, but I never felt gratified or proud after solving them. It’s clear that Odencat designed the game for kids. With it initially releasing on mobile devices, it’s likely meant to be a fun way for those under the age of thirteen to test their brain power. In that aspect, it definitely succeeds, and even if it isn’t for me, I can still appreciate the design of each puzzle.
A Holly Jolly Time
The Holiday season is a time of magic and wonder. It’s a time for people to relax after a busy time, enjoy some Christmas music, and reflect on the high and lows of the year. Snowman Story is a great tribute to the best parts of the Holiday season.
Thanks to its charming and heartfelt story, beautiful art style, and moderately fun puzzles, I found myself enamored with everything the game had to offer. Plus, because it has a surprisingly in-depth post game, it’s definitely a game I will be coming back to later. If you’re looking for a game to encapsulate the best parts of Winter, Snowman Story is the game for you.
