First Winter

About

First Winter is a single player action game with horror and violence themes. It was developed by Dan Sanderson and was released on May 8, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

Seemingly trapped in a nightmarish reality of ever changing worlds and environments, it's up to you to figure out exactly what has happened on board a stricken nuclear submarine.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 57 reviews

graphics9 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

First Winter delivers a compelling and atmospheric horror experience, effectively utilizing its Cold War setting and lo-fi graphics to create tension.
The game features multiple endings and engaging puzzles, adding depth to the short playtime and encouraging replayability.
Players appreciate the unique aesthetic and sound design, which contribute to a genuinely creepy atmosphere that keeps them on edge.

The game is very short, typically lasting around 30-45 minutes, which some players feel limits its overall value and replayability.
Certain puzzles can be frustrating, with some players getting stuck and needing to seek external help to progress.
The story can feel abstract and inconsistent, leaving some players confused about the narrative and its themes.

graphics
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
43%
14%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro aesthetic, often described as lo-fi or pixelated, which enhances the overall atmosphere and horror elements. While some players appreciate the unique and nostalgic visuals reminiscent of the 90s and 80s, others feel that the style may mask a lack of depth in the artwork. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's mood, making it a standout feature for many reviewers.
- “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 Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
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, leading to confusion and a sense of disconnection. Overall, despite its inconsistencies, the story has moments that resonate, contributing to a unique experience, though it may leave some players wanting a more linear and fleshed-out narrative.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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!”
- “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 which 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 Positive Neutral Negative
76%
6%
18%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, enhanced by atmospheric sounds, limited visibility, and a unique aesthetic that contributes to a sense of dread. Players appreciate the combination of visual style and storytelling, which, despite some inconsistencies, effectively engages them in a short yet impactful experience filled with horror elements and jump-scares. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature that captivates players and elevates the overall experience.
- “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 Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of atmospheric horror and jump-scares, featuring simple puzzles and walking simulator elements. Its concise length ensures that the mechanics remain engaging without becoming repetitive, while the moving maze aspect adds an intriguing layer to the experience.
- “It's a short experience that focuses on both atmospheric horror and jump-scares, while dividing its gameplay between walking simulator and puzzle solving.”
- “It's a short experience that focuses on both atmospheric horror and jump-scares, while divvying up 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.”
- “The gameplay and puzzles are simple enough, but that shouldn't be seen as a negative.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The music in the game is highly praised for its polished integration with the environment and sound design, featuring nostalgic 80s tracks and retro sounds that enhance the overall experience. The inclusion of elements like radio reports and cassette sounds adds depth, while the multiple endings contribute to the game's replayability. Overall, the soundtrack effectively evokes a sense of nostalgia, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- “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 and the radio report, cassette, and video game 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.”
- “The music in the game feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “While the 80's music is nostalgic, it often overshadows the game's atmosphere instead of enhancing it.”
- “The sound design is inconsistent, with some tracks feeling out of place and detracting from the overall experience.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
The game offers multiple endings that provide some incentive for replayability, but overall, players feel that the experience is short and may not be as impactful on subsequent playthroughs. While it may not have high replay value, many agree that it is still a worthwhile experience for the price.
- “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's a rather good experience for the price.”
- “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
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 had me laughing out loud at every turn.”
- “I love how the game incorporates witty dialogue and funny scenarios that keep the gameplay entertaining.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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.
- “The in-game performance was good, the vibe excellent, and the voice acting was decent, even though there wasn't much voice work. Overall, it is worth a try.”