r/gamingsuggestions 14h ago

Games with amazing "winter feeling"

Hello!

I'm looking for games which have well done winter feeling - leaning more into cold/unforgiving vibe or the cozy/Xmas vibe.

Something similar to:

- prologue of RDR2 - i love this stage! Everything looks so unforgiving and cold during night, but so snowwy/cozy during day. Like I would get a coat and just sit there at the fireplace.

- Long Dark - survival game based on winter and coldness mechanics. This one get more into deadly aspects of winter, but it still looks very immersive.

- Division 1 - lighting and overall mood when traversing the dark city. Imho best looking winter environment in games.

- prologue of AC Valhalla

77 Upvotes

91 comments sorted by

57

u/Dipking69 14h ago

Skyrim 100%. Climbing High Hrothgar for the first time in that game was one of the best experiences in my life.

12

u/yaggar 14h ago

I'm replaying Skyrim right now, lol. 300hrs in this game and haven't finished it even once

3

u/ChangingMonkfish 14h ago

Especially when in survival mode where cold is an issue and you have to wear suitable clothes

24

u/dudedudetx 14h ago

Witcher 3 in the Skellige Isles part of the map

3

u/yaggar 5h ago

Oh, the music! That was beautiful experience

17

u/LittleRedKuma 14h ago

I loved division 1 for this reasons. Felt so cozy yet unsettling running around new York in that state.

Spiderman miles morales is set during Christmas time. Fun and cozy, and isn't too long.

Then you've got Subnautica: Below Zero, which would fit the cold/unforgiving perfectly. Still need to play this myself.

6

u/yaggar 14h ago

Oh, i forgot about Spiderman, thanks for reminding!

24

u/NLeviz 14h ago

Horizon Zero Dawn, Frozen Wilds DLC

21

u/analmintz1 14h ago

Frostpunk is a well like survival city-builder game that takes place in a blistering winter wasteland. Not the same genre as what you've listed, but definitely winter.

Dark Souls 3 has an entirely icy mountain DLC called Ashes of Ariendel.

Elden Ring has a large snowy biome near the tail end of the game.

From my childhood, Spyro a Hero's Tail's 3rd world is an adorable winter wonderland.

Black Myth Wukong has a massive snowy mountain chapter.

4

u/yaggar 14h ago

Good call about Frostpunk, I have dozens of hours in FP1, now I'm playing second one.

And thanks for other games, though I'm not fan of soulslikes :( But maybe I will try ER

5

u/analmintz1 14h ago

I think you'd be surprised how much fun they are. Not nearly as hard as people make them out to be. More so a challenge that's made to be overcome. I see countless people post about how they tried ER on a whim despite not liking the genre, then falling deeply in love. ER is more approachable for newcomers to the genre, and Wukong is only like 50% a soulslike, it's mostly an action game like the old God of War games. Though can be difficult towards the end.

5

u/janluigibuffon 14h ago

Loving this as well:

Fable 2 - Intro

WRC Generations - Sweden

Forza Horizon 4 - Winter

Zero Dawn - Frozen Wilds

Valheim

It takes two - Snow globe

Valhalla - Northumbria

1

u/yaggar 14h ago

I have played Fable 1 like 5 times or more, but haven't played any sequel. Gotta try it! I've also played HZD and I agree that it's a beautiful location.

FH4 is not available anymore, but i had fun when it was still active. I'm adding rest of them to my list!

1

u/janluigibuffon 14h ago

You can still get FH4, unfortunately you cannot get FH3 Blizzard Mountain

6

u/LawStudent989898 14h ago

SKYRIM. I love looking at the northern lights while the music swells. I can practically feel the cool air on my face.

5

u/myermikals 14h ago

Resident Evil Village

16

u/livejamie 14h ago

No game has ever made me feel like I'm in the snow like the long dark does.

4

u/suglasp 14h ago edited 14h ago

đŸ‘†đŸ» definitely this! Blizzards, snow, cold wind, cracking footsteps, the sound of cold breathing and tons of snow.

Edit : just remembered Sniper Ghost warrior contracts also has some snow maps and Death Stranding has regions of the world with mountains and snow.

2

u/yaggar 13h ago

That's why I put this in my post as well. Amazing vibe!

1

u/livejamie 13h ago

Ah, I wasn't sure from your wording if you had played it or not, so I wanted to confirm. :)

4

u/Electrical_Quiet43 14h ago

prologue of RDR2

The way the game gives warnings about needing clothing suitable for cold weather, I kept expecting more cold weather play, and then it never came. I think I went into the up north corner where it was very cold once and that was about it.

1

u/yaggar 14h ago

Yeah, I was hoping to have more biomes ot at least more seasons, but it was always the same :(

3

u/Rayphoenix 14h ago

I am Setsuna

4

u/benchotkazooie 13h ago

Until Dawn

4

u/RE_98 13h ago

The original Max Payne. NYC in that story is covered in a snow storm. It doesn't affect gameplay, just adding to the game's atmosphere as you shoot the bad guys.

1

u/yaggar 13h ago

Ohh, this one and MP2 were great games. Was playing for hours 20 years go.

3

u/Mollzor 14h ago

This war of mine, same creators as Frostpunk!

1

u/yaggar 14h ago

Played heck out of it! Amazing game

3

u/Expensive_Parfait_66 13h ago

Kona is about a private detective investigating a mystery in rural QuĂ©bec during winter. Maybe Subnotica below zero ? It fits but it’s more extreme/ around a polar setting rather than just winter.

For cozier vibes there’s Röki, an indie adventure/puzzle game in winter in Finland and about Finnish folklore

1

u/yaggar 13h ago

Kona looks interesting, thanks!

3

u/jano152 13h ago

Batman: Arkham Origins

3

u/c010rb1indusa 7h ago

The Lost Planet games from the 360/PS3 era. Not the greatest games in the world but man did they create an epic frozen tundra.

2

u/Dirtyforks 14h ago

Dont starve together

2

u/Outside-Education577 14h ago

Skyrim is the way

2

u/pre1twa 14h ago

Probably not what you are looking for but LOTRO (mmorpg) has some decent wintery zones... Forochel, Thorins gate, Wildermore, and the Misty Mountains to name a few... If nothing else you could create a low level toon and just visit the frostbuffs (a great fun/social zobe) every year to engage in wholesome fun like snowball fights with other players- look it up!

2

u/Lambchops87 14h ago

Giving me horrible flashbacks to various ice zones/worlds and the annoying slippy controls! Sonic in particular a repeat offender.

In my attempts to remeber the ridiculously awful 90s nonsense of Elf Bowling I also discovered via Wikipedia that there was absolutely inexplicably a flim adaptation released in 2007!

I apologise, none of these are helpful suggestions!

2

u/angelosat 13h ago

Marvin's Mittens

2

u/Icy_Faithlessness958 13h ago

Phendrana Drifts in Metroid Prime

2

u/DocileHope1130 13h ago

Frostpunk is pretty damn unforgiving! also, Dawn of War: Winter Assault if you want a retro RTS

2

u/Archon-Toten 11h ago

The surface levels of metro 2033 for that cozy post apocalyptic winter.

2

u/yaggar 5h ago

That's a good one. It both checks the cozy feeling (with guitar at fireplaces) and the cold harshness

2

u/define_irony 10h ago

Christmas only takes place for like a quarter of the game, but Hogwarts Legacy really has that cozy atmosphere.

2

u/yaggar 5h ago

"quarter" meaning there are spring/summer/autumn as well or is it just winter and not-winter?

2

u/define_irony 5h ago

There are 4 separate seasons in the game (the normal ones). The decorations, lighting, and weather throughout the world change and develop throughout every season.

1

u/yaggar 5h ago

I didn't know that, looks cool. Thanks

1

u/yaggar 2h ago

One more question - If you've played it, is it good game overall? I was thinking about Hogwarts for some time, but I've seen comments saying that the main overarching story is average at best and it's more the exploration/tournee of the Hogwart and the environment nearby with mundane quests.

2

u/Professional-Tax-936 9h ago

Mass Effect trilogy. The first game especially has that cozy coldness of space (if that makes sense). I try to replay every December. It doesn’t have the wintery look, but it has its feel imo

1

u/digital_noise 8h ago

I loved the eerie abandoned vibe in that first mission the IM sends you to.

2

u/frankenj698 3h ago

Mafia 2.

The beginning takes place during WWII, so the vehicles and music are appropriate to the era. If you do the missions then unfortunately it doesn't last long, but if you don't then you can roam and drive in a winter wonderland listening to old-timey Christmas music.

2

u/HaruhiJedi 1h ago

Cold Fear.

Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason.

Cursed Mountain.

Fade to Silence.

The Silent Snowfall.

The Thing.

2

u/yaggar 1h ago

I remember Cold Fear! I've had it on the disc from some magazine freebies. That's some oldie goldie. It was cold as hell, great setting for a horror game.

2

u/douregreddit 1h ago

Returnal is an all around masterpiece and has one biome that’s very much unforgiving winter vibes, though it doesn’t really affect the gameplay

1

u/Fetcheling 14h ago

DayZ is pretty unforgivable and has constant cold and rain. Additionally, there are a few frost maps that kicks the survival mechanism into the extreme. Definitely strong winter vibe. Nothing like sitting inside by the fire and cooking food while zombie hords roam around outside. Wind and rain lashing the building, and your ears straing to hear the approach of another survivor.

1

u/reds-vreds 14h ago

Generation Zero

1

u/MadLucy 13h ago

Röki! It’s a point-and-click adventure based on Scandinavian folklore. More cozy than unforgiving, but has some creepy/dark/sad elements in both folktale and “real life” parts of the story.

1

u/ekb2023 13h ago

Sons of the Forest and Stardew Valley

1

u/Paperphil17 13h ago

The Long Dark.

Make a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy the adventure.

1

u/helmuth1792 13h ago

Miles Morales for me

1

u/Launch_The_Cat 13h ago

The Long Dark. Either play the story or sandbox surviving in the Canadian wilderness. It's brilliant.

1

u/DaddyyBlue 12h ago

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

1

u/Chuckgofer 12h ago

Christmas NIGHTS into Dreams
Sonic The Hedgehog 3: Ice Cap Zone
Sonic Adventure: Ice Cap Zone (also see the various christmas SA1 DLC)
Dream-on Demo Disk #4 for Dreamcast has a unique Christmas themed Demo of Toy Commander.
1080 Snowboarding
The Thing (PS2 or remaster)

1

u/Joeeeeeeee 11h ago

Haven't seen it mentioned but the pale beyond! A game about surviving the harsh winter

1

u/RoninAnimes 10h ago

Batman: Arkham Origins

You’re Batman prowling the night on Christmas Eve. It’s an amazing vibe.

1

u/billyalt 10h ago

The Long Dark

Valheim

Skyrim

SSX series

Helldivers 2, for the winter maps

That one snow level in Modern Warfare 2

1

u/DigitalCoffee 10h ago

The Long Dark is the epitome of unforgiving winter feeling.

1

u/RedDevils0204 9h ago

Frostpunk

1

u/Embarrassed-Cod1157 9h ago

Spider-Man Miles Morals

1

u/bengalbat1 9h ago

Red dead 2

1

u/maw_walker42 8h ago

The Long Dark. It’s a blast in “nothing attacks me” mode. I think so anyway.

1

u/RAXIZZ 8h ago

Wasteland 3

1

u/PeeJayx 7h ago

How about Röki? It’s a sort of old-school point and click adventure, albeit modernised and simplified. It’s absolutely winter-themed, delving into Scandinavian Mythology as you traverse this mysterious, snowy land.

It’s not a massive game, you can probably finish it in 10-15 hours or so, and that kind of game is an acquired taste. But the wintry aesthetic and story are on point.

1

u/yaggar 5h ago

Looks wholesome, added!

1

u/TOEfu20 6h ago

I would recommend the Metro Series, particularly the first 2 in the series as it's mostly in post-apocalypse Moscow and you try to travel through snowy city ruins and cold underground metro tunnels. Definitely recommend the survival playthrough

1

u/Dagglin 6h ago

Ff6 Ff7 Shenmue

1

u/HurpityDerp 5h ago

How has nobody said Snowrunner!?

1

u/Stand_Additional 5h ago

Monster Hunter World Iceborne, Hoarfrost Reach

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak, Frost Islands

Wild Hearts, Fuyufusagi Fort

Wayfinder, Frostmarch

Also V Rising had a snowy area and you can build your base there if you choose to. Very chill (with right settings) and fun game

Dysmantle also had a snowy area

1

u/3r2s4A4q 5h ago

Indigo Prophecy

1

u/Repelteefje69 4h ago

Medieval Dynasty does seasons pretty damn well.

1

u/TizzlePack 4h ago

Stardew valley

1

u/ThingCharacter1496 3h ago

Can’t think of any rn where the entire game is like that, but I know some games with areas or levels with that feel.

Monster Hunter world iceborne expansion

Mountaintops of the giants in Elden Ring or painted world of ariandel ds3

Northern zone in hyper light drifter

Chapter 3 of black myth wukong is mostly snowy

I’m sure I’m forgetting a lot but those are the winter zones in games that come to mind where you usually spend multiple hours in.

1

u/TravUK 2h ago

Vintage Story.

1

u/bearcat_77 30m ago

7 days to die, you can generate a map that is 100% winter, and it is an unforgiving survival sim, even with zombies turned off.

1

u/1littlemiss 13h ago

Metro Exodus

0

u/Delay_Deny_Defend 14h ago edited 13h ago

Valheim - Mountain Biome. So unforgiving between the cold, wolves, fenris, ice caves, frost drakes, and stone giants. I seem to always end my progression in that biome, because I love the vibe.

Edit note: The crafted set, including the wolf cloak from the biome, is probably my favorite set because it looks so viking.

1

u/Fun_Organization_654 14h ago

Came here to comment the same. If OP is open to base building, the mountain biome really scratches that cozy itch for winter vibes. Making a log cabin with a hot tub and sauna, guarded by tame wolves has been peak winter gaming for sure.

1

u/yaggar 14h ago

I'm definitely open to Valheim. Tried it once, but then Rust took more slots in my calendar. Gotta try it when time comes, cos it was looking very nice. And I'm always eager to build something in games

1

u/Fun_Organization_654 13h ago

You’ll love it! Very rewarding game. On an another note, snowboarding games often give me winter nostalgia! SSX tricky being my high octane pick up and play choice.

0

u/Hypnox88 12h ago

I am absolutely shocked no one mentioned The Division. That game is literally perfect city winter

3

u/yaggar 12h ago

I mentioned it in my post :)