First Winter

"First Winter" is a 1982 cold war-era first-person horror game, where you explore a Soviet submarine in the North Pacific, suspected of carrying nuclear weapons. As you navigate the ever-changing environments, you must uncover the truth and prevent a nuclear catastrophe. With its unique retro style, "First Winter" has received positive reviews from PC Gamer, MrKravin, and GG Gab for its immersive and chilling experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 57 reviews

graphics9 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

First Winter offers a unique and terrifying atmosphere, enhanced by its lo-fi graphics and Cold War setting, making it a standout indie horror experience.
The game features effective jump scares and psychological elements that keep players on edge, providing a compelling narrative despite its short length.
Multiple endings and engaging puzzles add depth to the gameplay, encouraging replayability and exploration of the story.

The game is very short, typically lasting around 30-45 minutes, which may leave some players wanting more content for the price.
Some puzzles can be frustratingly vague or difficult to progress through, leading to potential confusion and reliance on external guides.
The story can feel abstract and inconsistent at times, which may detract from the overall experience for players seeking a cohesive narrative.

graphics
21 mentions
43 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming lo-fi and retro aesthetic, reminiscent of 90s visuals and 80s themes, which effectively enhance the horror atmosphere. While some players appreciate the unique pixelated style for its ability to evoke tension and support the narrative, others feel it may mask a lack of more polished artwork. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's eerie mood and immersive experience.
- “The graphics are charmingly retro and support the mood.”
- “The biggest selling point of this game really is the lo-fi graphics.”
- “Not only is the graphics side of this game awesome, but the atmosphere, the story, every little detail created builds up this huge crazy image that will get people hanging onto the edge of their seats!”
- “Apart from the lo-fi graphics, the game doesn't have anything to make it stand out.”
- “The filtered/pixelated art style is neat, but I can't shake the notion that it just covers up bland artwork.”
- “I bought [i]first winter[/i] because I was drawn to the game's aesthetic, which is odd because lately I've been getting pretty tired of games that offer a cool visual style but no substantial story or worthwhile experience.”
story
18 mentions
22 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its atmospheric and aesthetic qualities while others find it abstract and lacking coherence. While the developer's intent to explore themes of control and trauma is noted, many players feel that the narrative is not sufficiently supported by the game's content, leading to confusion and a desire for a more linear experience. Overall, the story has potential but is often overshadowed by inconsistencies and a lack of clarity.
- “A very short horror story, with graphics from the 90s and themes from the 60s -- seemingly abstract at first, but comes together as it progresses.”
- “Not only is the graphics side of this game awesome, but the atmosphere, the story, every little detail created builds up this huge crazy image that will get people hanging onto the edge of their seats!”
- “For the most part, however, the game's story works really well despite the couple inconsistencies, and I'd recommend it on the basis of that, its visual style, and its atmosphere.”
- “Although it is a great concept (the styling is fantastic, and really creates a great atmosphere), I'm still kind of lost as to what the story is.”
- “Since the story the developer was going for while he was creating it isn't backed up by enough evidence, this might explain why there are a few scenes that don't feel linear to the game.”
- “What begins as something that could be mildly interesting just gets bogged down with a hazy story (this whole thing could be an intro for a more fleshed-out game).”
atmosphere
17 mentions
76 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, effectively combining visual style, sound design, and limited visibility to create a sense of dread and suspense. Players appreciate the unique aesthetic and the way the environment enhances both the horror elements and the storytelling, making it a compelling experience despite some narrative inconsistencies. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to its appeal.
- “The atmosphere and the environment are extremely well done, and you never want to turn around for fear of what you'll find!”
- “Great atmosphere and unique aesthetic!”
- “Not only is the graphics side of this game awesome, but the atmosphere, the story, and every little detail created builds up this huge crazy image that will get people hanging onto the edge of their seats!”
- “The limited view range also drastically enhances the chilling atmosphere, as what you cannot see is always the most frightening part of any horror excursion.”
- “Clocking in at just around 40 minutes in length, even after finishing both endings, First Winter provides an ample amount of atmosphere and jump-scares.”
- “For the most part, however, the game's story works really well despite a couple of inconsistencies, and I'd recommend it on the basis of that, its visual style, and its atmosphere.”
gameplay
6 mentions
17 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of walking simulator and puzzle-solving, offering a straightforward yet engaging experience that emphasizes atmospheric horror and jump-scares. Its concise design effectively maintains player interest without overstaying its welcome, making it a compelling short adventure.
- “The gameplay and puzzles are simple enough, but that shouldn't be seen as a negative.”
- “It's a short experience that focuses on both atmospheric horror and jump scares, while dividing its gameplay between walking simulator and puzzle solving.”
- “The short size and scope of this horror game lands right in the sweet spot of being compelling enough to drive the player forward without wearing out the featured mechanics.”
music
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its polished integration with the environment and sound design, featuring nostalgic 80s tracks and retro sound effects that enhance the overall experience. The inclusion of elements like radio reports and classic gaming references adds to the charm, making it a standout aspect for players who appreciate that era.
- “Like 'imscared' or 'The Music Machine', every part of the game from the environment to the sound design adds to a very polished experience.”
- “The 80's music, along with the radio reports, cassettes, and video game sounds, are great.”
- “Plus, there was a good amount of 80s nostalgia with the movie posters, music, and Commodore 64, which is an instant thumbs up in my book.”
replayability
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The game offers limited replayability due to its short length and diminished impact on subsequent playthroughs, despite featuring multiple endings that provide some incentive to replay. Overall, while the experience is enjoyable and worth the price, players may not find themselves returning frequently.
- “There are multiple endings, which incentivize replayability, but I can't imagine it would be nearly as creepy the second time through.”
- “The game itself is short, but it offers a good experience for the price, even if it lacks significant replayability.”
- “There are multiple endings which sort of incentivize replayability, but I can't imagine it would be nearly as creepy the second time through.”
- “I would imagine that replayability isn't super high, but the experience was worth every penny.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game to be highly entertaining, often leading to amusing reactions that would make for great video content.
- “I wish I had been filming myself playing because it would have made for one hilarious reactions video.”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch; I found myself laughing out loud at the clever dialogue and absurd situations.”
- “Every time I thought I had seen it all, the game threw another unexpected joke my way that had me in stitches.”
optimization
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is solid, delivering good in-game performance and an excellent atmosphere, despite limited voice acting. Players find it worth trying out.