Project Winter is a social deduction video game featuring survival game mechanics first released on May 23, 2019, for Windows. In Project Winter, players take on the roles of "survivors" and "traitors", having to repair two objectives to escape from an incoming blizzard, or prevent an escape from happening.
| Project Winter | |
|---|---|
 Cover | |
| Developer(s) | Other Ocean Interactive |
| Publisher(s) | Other Ocean Interactive Boltrend Games (mobile) |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | Windows May 23, 2019 Xbox One January 26, 2021 PlayStation 4, Switch September 16, 2021 iOS, Android August 31, 2022 |
| Genre(s) | Social deduction, survival |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Gameplay
editProject Winter features a mix of survival and social deduction game mechanics. Lobbies consist of 5-8 players, the majority of which are survivors. Survivors must search the map for bunkers and similar structures, containing parts required to fix objectives, as well as gear to strengthen themselves. The game also utilizes a crafting system as an alternative to scavenging. There are several different objectives, each requiring a different method to be fixed (some require parts, some do not). In order to win, survivors must locate and repair 2 objectives and call for help before 30 minutes pass.
The traitors' goal is preventing survivors from winning. Project Winter allows them to sabotage their surroundings in order to obstruct survivors. Traitors also have access to exclusive 'traitor crates' which usually contain amazing gear. Several reviewers have stated that they feel the gameplay favors traitors.[citation needed]
Project Winter also features several other survival-game-esque aspects. Players must watch their health, heat, and hunger bars in order to not die and watch out for the local wildlife.
The game utilizes proximity chat.[1][2]
Console ports
editThe game's Xbox port was announced in early 2021 and released on January 26, 2021. The ports for both the Nintendo Switch and the PlayStation 4 were aimed to be released sometime in 2021, eventually being released on September 16.[3]
All of the console ports were generally well received.[citation needed]
Project Winter Mobile
editProject Winter Mobile was first announced in July 2022, as pre-registrations for the game's mobile port had started the same day.[4] The announced and eventual release date for the game's mobile port was August 31, 2022.
Pocket Gamer deemed Project Winter Mobile as "too demanding" for most mobile devices, stating "You'll need a fully charged recent model phone and highly stable internet connection to play this game with some smoothness. If you're not equipped to do this on the go, you may be better off playing it through a mobile emulator on your PC.".[5]
On April 19, 2023, the developers announced a server shutdown in a Facebook, the planned date being May 25, 2023. As of May 25, 2023, the apps have been taken off the App Store and Google Play Store, with users being unable to log in and instead being redirected to the aforementioned Facebook post.[citation needed]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | PC | PS4 | Xbox One | |
| Metacritic | 50/100 | tbd | tbd | 75/100 |
Project Winter has received "generally favorable" reviews on Metacritic.[6] Due to its social deduction-based nature, a lot of reviews nearing the game's console release in 2021 compared it to the video game Among Us.
Screen Rant rated the game at 3.5/5 stars, stating "While Project Winter has many fun features, [...] there is a lot going on during a round, and at times, the balancing act of wilderness survival, social deduction, puzzle solving and team communication can roll into an overwhelming blur."[7] Other reviewers have praised the game's "unique" concept and "impressive depth", however, have also noted problems within the community as a negative.[8][9][10][11] Nintendo Life commented, "we were often met with the kind of racist and sexist troll behaviour that should have been left behind in the 2000s, which is, admittedly, not Project Winter's fault, but it did colour our experience."[12]
GamePro called the game a "more complex Among Us for survival fans".[13]
References
edit- ^ "Project Winter". Techspot. 11 January 2022. Archived from the original on 2024-01-14. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "REVIEW / Project Winter (Switch)". thatvideogameblog.com. October 20, 2021. Archived from the original on 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Project Winter for PS4, Switch launches September 16". gematsu.com. September 3, 2021. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Project Winter Mobile – Pre-registration begins for mobile version of deception and survival game". MMO Culture. July 19, 2022. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ Quick, Will (August 31, 2022). "Project Winter Mobile review - "Putting Among Us on ice"". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Project Winter". Metacritic. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ Gray, Laura (February 4, 2021). "Project Winter Review: Freezing Cold Deception". screenrant.com. Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Project Winter – Is it worth it?". PC Invasion. February 4, 2019. Archived from the original on 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Project Winter Review". thexboxhub.com. February 13, 2021. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Review: Project Winter (Nintendo Switch)". purenintendo.com. October 22, 2021. Archived from the original on 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Project Winter Review in Progress – The Paranoia Will Keep You Warm". wccftech.com. February 26, 2019. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Mini Review: Project Winter (Switch) - Social Deduction That Survives But Doesn't Thrive On Switch". Nintendo Life. September 26, 2021. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ Veltin, Tobias (January 24, 2021). "Project Winter ist ein komplexeres Among Us für Survival-Fans". Gamepro (in German). Archived from the original on 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2024-09-16.