Palia is adding a battle pass, and while that sounds controversial it's the best system I've seen yet

We're just weeks away from Christmas and I'm already contemplating what games I want to play. Warframe's The Old Peace update has arrived and I'm finally within touching distance of it, but World of Warcraft's housing looks absolutely amazing, and I kind of want to build my own cozy winter cabin. Then there's Palia, Singularity 6's blissful, Stardew Valley-esque MMORPG that feels like the perfect way to chill out in the evenings. With the brand new Winter's Wonder update live right now, there's no better time to snuggle up under your favorite blanket and get to exploring.

Fully titled Winter's Wonder: Home for Winterlights, Palia's latest update is a veritable deluge of frost-touched, holiday-themed content. The eponymous Winterlights take center stage, with a new quest offering various themed rewards and ornaments for both fresh faces and long-time players. The bulletin board is filled with new festive quests, too, so there's no shortage of things to do.

The much-beloved Zeki's Winterfest Challenge also makes a reappearance, tasking players with going on a treasure hunt across Kilima Village to seek out seven hidden chests. Each one offers snowy decor, and once you find all of the missing items you'll be able to buy their recipes from the Winterlights store.

As if these aesthetics weren't pleasing enough, the furniture tint system has gotten a full revamp, making it easier than ever to change an item's color. There are six new tint palettes to choose from too. All tints are now craftable, with each recipe giving you a set of 20. The Modification Bench has now become the Tint Crafter to help with this, but you can trade your old Modification Kits in for cash if you're done with them.

Then there's the new Home Line, the Estate. Inspired by the Mayor's manor, it adds a bit of eloquence to your village, and has a giant windmill on top to boot. You can use all of the Estate items in other Home Lines to really craft your dream place, but I know for a fact everything I build now will feature a windmill. Amsterdam, eat your heart out.

Finally, we have potentially the most controversial aspect of the new update: Palia is introducing its first ever battle pass-style progression system, the Lunar Path. Described as losing the "the pressure and 'FOMO'" of other videogames, there are no expiration dates on items, and your progress is always carried forward. There's a free track and a premium one, and you'll progress by completing bulletin board missions and daily quests. Singularity 6 does clarify that, in later updates, you'll be able to earn Lunar Path XP from other activities, too.

The Winter's Wonder pass is themed around Kitsuu, the gorgeous fox-like creatures that are reminiscent of the Japanese Kitsune. You'll be able to grab the free Ancient Kitsuu t-shirt, as well as various cosmetics and, most importantly, plushies. "Our intention is that Lunar Paths continue to offer a variety of content, both gameplay and cosmetic," Singularity 6 writes, while asking players to "expect some surprises."

Palia's Winter Wonder update is live right now. You can check out the full patch notes here, which go into loads of detail about new earnable hairstyles, plushies, growable snowmen, and more.

While I do love Dreamlight Valley and Stardew, there's something about Palia that consistently piques my interest. I don't need another MMO on my list, but I can't help but feel like I'll be playing this Christmas. It is free, after all, and I do have the time…