Winter Burrow appears warm and charming on the surface, but the cold outside your door is punishing if you’re not prepared. This guide covers everything you need during your first hours — from surviving the first night to repairing your home, crafting tools, understanding your survival meters, and slowly expanding into the world outside.
Winter Burrow places you in the role of a tiny mouse returning to an old childhood home hidden in a frozen forest. Although the world looks gentle, the environment is harsh, especially at the beginning. Cold weather, limited stamina, and scarce resources can end your run quickly if you aren’t careful.
This Winter Burrow Beginner Guide aims to help you settle in, rebuild your home, and move through the early game comfortably.
1. Your First Night
The most important rule when you start the game is:
Do not go outside at night.
The cold becomes severe after sunset, and without warm clothing your mouse can freeze in seconds. Your first night should be spent entirely indoors.
What to do on Night One:
- Pick up the sticks scattered around the burrow.
- Light the fireplace to keep yourself warm.
- Sleep until morning instead of exploring.
If you see your warmth meter dropping, stand near the fire. Staying close restores your temperature quickly and prevents early deaths.
2. Repairing the Armchair
Your home is damaged in several places, but the armchair is the first repair you should focus on.
Why this matters:
- Repairing it unlocks the ability to knit your first sweater.
- Wearing a sweater makes exploring during cold weather far safer.
- Resting in a repaired chair restores stamina more effectively.
Before you wander far from home, gather the materials needed for this fix. It sets the pace for the rest of your progress.
3. Survival Meters
Winter Burrow uses several systems to determine your condition. Ignoring any one of them can put you at risk.
Stamina
Used when running, chopping, or performing tasks. If it empties, you move slower and work less efficiently.
Hunger
Eat periodically to maintain energy. Low hunger reduces effectiveness in every action.
Warmth
Your temperature drops quickly outdoors. Without proper clothing, even daytime exploration can become dangerous.
Breath
Actions like swinging an axe or using a pickaxe drain your breath meter. If it bottoms out, you cannot perform heavy tasks effectively.
When any meter reaches zero, penalties begin stacking, and carelessness can lead to death. Make it a habit to monitor them frequently.
4. Basic Crafting and Gathering
The early game revolves around collecting simple materials and crafting your first tools.
Recommended early tools:
- Axe: Needed to chop wood and collect grass.
- Fireplace upgrades: Helps you stay warm longer.
- Basic recipes: Support small home repairs that unlock progression.
How progression works:
- Gather nearby materials.
- Unlock crafting recipes through exploration or quest rewards.
- Repair parts of your burrow to access new crafting options.
The early hours may feel repetitive, but each small upgrade expands your reach, allowing you to gather stronger resources.
5. Unlocking New Areas
As you complete repairs, your burrow slowly becomes livable again.
Key expansions you’ll eventually repair:
- Broken Bridge: Opens access to large areas of the forest.
- Second Floor: Adds crafting stations and storage space.
- Outdoor areas: Allow you to collect unique resources and set campfires.
Every upgrade not only makes your home feel cozier but also unlocks important tools or new regions.
6. The Pace of the Game
Winter Burrow intentionally avoids time-based pressure. There are no strict deadlines, and nothing forces you to rush. You can gather materials slowly, plan repairs at your own pace, and explore whenever you feel confident.
This makes the game accessible to both casual players and those who prefer a slower progression style.
7. Achievements
Protector of Dreams
Craft and place a bed inside your burrow.
Mouse of the Wild
Build your first campfire outdoors.
A Full Basket
Collect 100 pieces of wood. This unlocks naturally as you maintain your burrow.
Reach for the Stars!
Unlock the first floor of your burrow.
Pest Control
Defeat 100 creatures. Any moving creature counts, including small ones near your home.
Twig / Pebble / Oak / Pine / Birch / Fibre House
Craft the required amount of furniture for each set.
You can make duplicate items — variety isn’t required.
Frozen Horizons
Discover the White Pillars. This region contains dangerous creatures, so approach carefully.
8. Story-Related Achievements
Knitting Advocate
Repair the armchair with Beech Planks, Twigs, and Flax Fibres.
Keen on Cooking
Repair the stove using 8 pebbles.
Basement Dweller
- Repair the bridge to the right of your burrow.
- Meet Aunty and complete her introduction.
- Receive the Basement Key.
- Return home and unlock the basement using the key.
9. Crafting Tools, Furniture, and Materials
Axe Master / Pickaxe Champion
Craft every axe and pickaxe type.
Yearning for Yarn
Spin 50 yarn balls.
This can be done in your armchair or any crafted chair and uses:
- Flax Yarn → made from Flax Fibre
- Wool Yarn → made from Fur Tufts
Master Builder
Craft 150 woodworking recipes. Progress comes naturally as you upgrade your home and furniture.
Winter Burrow is a slow, atmospheric survival game that rewards careful planning rather than fast progression. Once you understand the temperature system, repair your essential furniture, and begin crafting tools, the world opens up naturally.