Review by Jon Donnis
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders, released in 2025 for Xbox, is a downhill skiing game that finds an interesting balance between challenging gameplay and a laid-back vibe. From the moment you start slicing through thick snow, gliding over icy lakes, or launching off jumps, the game feels like a fresh winter escape, especially with friends by your side.
One of the biggest new additions to this installment is the online multiplayer mode, which offers both cooperative and competitive play for 2 to 8 players, complete with multiplatform crossplay. You can work together to descend the mountain, sharing limited checkpoints carefully, or go head-to-head in a fast-paced race to the bottom. It's a neat way to bring the Lonely Mountains world to life in a social setting, even if the "Lonely" part of the title feels a bit at odds with this multiplayer focus.
Graphically, the game is excellent. The mountains look stunning, and the snowy landscapes are immersive, creating a convincing winter playground. The gameplay itself strikes a good balance: the faster you go, the more you need sharp reflexes to avoid wiping out, making it genuinely rewarding when you nail a run. For those who prefer to take it easy, the Freeplay mode removes the pressure of racing or beating times, letting you explore and enjoy the slopes at your own pace. This chilled-out option is a welcome counterbalance to the more intense challenges.
That said, the game isn't without flaws. The camera viewpoint, which the game controls, can sometimes become a real obstacle. It can make it difficult to see where you're headed, forcing you to rely on ski tracks from your previous attempts, which isn't always reliable. This can be frustrating, especially when precision is crucial. Additionally, once you've completed a track's challenges, there isn't much incentive to return to it in single-player mode, as the content feels limited. Given the game's relatively short length, about five hours to complete, the replay value is fairly low unless you're keen on multiplayer.
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is a solid and enjoyable game, though it could benefit from more content and variety. It's easy to imagine future downloadable content expanding the experience, though it's unlikely to be free. While the multiplayer feature adds a fun social layer, it somewhat contradicts the game's "lonely" theme. Despite these issues, the game remains a satisfying ride for anyone who loves skiing or simply wants a winter-themed challenge.
The game is fun, visually appealing, and offers a decent challenge, even if its brevity and camera quirks hold it back a bit. Overall, it's a good pick for a quick, enjoyable skiing experience on Xbox.
