- A new ‘hill snow removal adventure’ set in a port town struck by a sudden blizzard
- Conveying warm emotions with the soft light of early morning and a gentle soundtrack
- Participation in Steam Next Fest in October and scheduled for official release in December 2026
Global indie development duo Mango Leaf Games has unveiled a free Steam demo version of their new relaxing snow removal adventure, ‘Winter Whiskers’.
‘Winter Whiskers’ begins in a quiet port town struck by a sudden blizzard. Players must clear the snow piled up throughout the town and repair the stalled steam equipment while preparing for the upcoming winter festival alongside the villagers.
The developer cited the “lyrical atmosphere of a quiet, snowy morning” as the biggest appeal of this new game.
The Steam page is adorned with content describing how the soft halo of early morning light, colorfully glowing seaside residential areas, charming and cute character designs, and a calming, soothing soundtrack combine to evoke a unique healing sensibility.
Meanwhile, ‘Winter Whiskers’ is scheduled to participate in the upcoming global indie game festival ‘Steam Next Fest’ in October to meet gamers worldwide. The official release is targeted for 2026.
When the snow is cleared, steam circulates, and warmth returns to the village.
The game is set in Winterlight Harbor, a port town buried in a blizzard. Players must use a snow shovel to clear the snow piled up on the roads and in front of shops. The collected snow can be put into a furnace and turned into steam.
When the steam system starts working again, electricity returns to the homes and lights come on in the streets, and the heat from the vents melts the frozen roads. In a sense, snow removal is the process of warming up the village.
The game progresses through various regions in sequence, introducing new tools and activities. Episodes include reviving flowers by blowing snow off flowerpots, and clearing away icy obstacles or large snowdrifts. Missions to fulfill residents’ requests are also provided, such as tidying up the front of shops or delivering necessary items to help them prepare for the festival.
The Steam page describes the game as one enjoyed by focusing on snow shoveling, steam puzzles, and resident requests, without time management or complex mechanics.
Inspired by Scandinavian villages and Japanese snow removal systems
According to foreign media reports, the developer is said to have drawn deep inspiration from the colorful landscapes of Scandinavian cities and Japan’s snow melting system. Additionally, it is explained that they have infused a unique warmth and wit into a bright and vibrant Chibi-style worldview.
The work aims to provide a short, comfortable, yet deeply satisfying experience, transforming the potentially simple task of ‘snow shoveling’ into a cozy form of play. In the latter part of the story, one can also encounter heartwarming festive scenes where hot cocoa and games are enjoyed together.
About a 15-minute demo, including neighbor quests and making a snowman.
This demo is about 15 minutes long. Players can learn how to use snow shovels and snowplows, complete requests from Little Franny, and build snowmen. The focus of the demo is clearing the snow from the neighborhood to create a pleasant environment for residents to stay in.
Art Director Axie Lotl asked gamers to leave a review if they enjoyed the demo and to let him know what they liked and what elements they would like to see in the future.
The second work by a married indie development team; the previous work was ‘Kokoro Kitchen’.
Mango Leaf Games is a small development team officially founded in 2024 by Axie and Leaf. The team stated that their first work, ‘Kokoro Kitchen,’ achieved modest success and that they learned a great deal during the development process. ‘Winter Whiskers’ is the team’s second work.
After being revealed in May 2026, the game participated in the ‘Cozy & Family Friendly Games Celebration’.
On June 29, we held our first public playtest on itch.io to receive user feedback. We plan to showcase the game to more users through this Steam demo release and participation in Next Fest.
Information regarding ‘Winter Whiskers’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Mango Leaf Games |
| Publisher | Mango Leaf Games |
| Genre | Cozy cleaning simulation, adventure |
| platform | PC (Steam, Windows) |
| Release date | Scheduled for 2026 (based on the Steam page; the press kit indicates December 2026) |
| Trial version | Free Steam demo available (approx. 15 minutes), participation in Steam Next Fest in October |
| Reactions/Evaluations | Wishlist figures and Steam user ratings unconfirmed |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
