A Winter Haunting by AB
A Winter Haunting is an enchanting point-and-click adventure and puzzle game by AB, a talented indie female game developer.
It is full of all the things I love: an atmospheric, possibly haunted old mansion; beautiful landscapes; interesting rooms with cabinets full of mysterious and magical objects; charming fashions; flowers; animals; mushrooms; and ghosts!
The game seamlessly weaves together challenging puzzles, a gripping supernatural mystery, and stunning artistry. The lush landscapes and elegantly designed, paper-doll-like characters set a dreamy, immersive tone that pulls you deep into the narrative.
A Vintage Adventure with Modern Depth
You play as Everlyn Sterling, a young woman undergoing a difficult and fruitless job search. Your grandmother asks you to become the caretaker of the ancestral mansion. A brief tutorial option at the beginning acts as a prequel to the game, making it an enjoyable part of the story while also teaching you the game mechanics.
I really appreciated a feature that reveals all the interaction hotspots by pressing “H” because there is a lot to explore in this game. You receive a list of tasks at each level, but you must explore each level to uncover the clues and items that will help you accomplish your tasks.
The world of A Winter Haunting is beautifully stylized and graceful for a simple point-and-click game. In spite of Everlyn being a thoroughly modern woman, the setting has a sweetly old-fashioned vibe.
Your Choices Shape How the Mystery Unfolds
As the title of the game implies, the story definitely delves into the supernatural. The sound of the winter wind moaning in the eves creates a sense of unease, and so do the mysterious objects and dusty portraits in every room. There is also a dark forest that must be explored for clues.
The puzzles are complex and will test your skills. I found myself taking notes and even getting stuck on a particularly tricky mystery involving matrix multiplication.
After many attempts, I managed to move past it with help from a playthrough video. Math isn’t my strong suit, but there were plenty of other puzzles that were! There is something for everyone.
I started a few different games and saved my progress. When I finally finished the game, I was delighted to realize that the choices I had made throughout the game contributed to the story and determined the ending. I confirmed this by returning to my game’s earlier saved versions and making different choices.
This is my favorite part of the game because you can play it again and have noticeable agency in the story.
The Verdict
A Winter Haunting is thoroughly enjoyable. I was immersed and invested in the story in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time. It’s one of those rare games where I had goosebumps when I solved the mystery and felt very emotional. Every frame of this game shows the love and attention put into creating it.
I recommend this to anyone who loves mysteries and puzzles and appreciates beautiful game art that is both whimsical and unique. I am interested in future endeavors from AB!
A Winter Haunting is available via Steam.
Watch the trailer for ZpellCatZ below: