So I'm quite weak for these North-American landscapes with their vast forests, "friendly" towns, mystical lakes, cabins, diners and of course sawmills (abandoned or not). Could someone perhaps recommend me any games with that kind of setting? The game doesn't have to be set in the US (even Canada would be acceptable), it's the setting that's important.

I play pretty much every genre with the exception of sports and racing, and I really don't mind if the game is old.

How about Fire Watch, I hears that's pretty good.

Kona: mysterious forests in the winter

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All three "Life is Strange" games have some smalltown mysteries and some forest sequences.

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance has some beautiful forests, but it is missing the mystery:

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Deadly Premonition for sure. Great game, it's one of these cases of don't judge a book by its cover. Has forest, lakes, mystery, "friendly" town, diners, etc.

The forest is the sort of game in which you can chop down trees by yourself (or with friends), make your own log cabin and survive in the wild vs the natives on that island, while trying to find your son.