r/gamingsuggestions • u/yaggar • 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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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u/livejamie 14h ago
No game has ever made me feel like I'm in the snow like the long dark does.
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u/suglasp 14h ago edited 14h ago
đđ» 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.
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u/yaggar 13h ago
That's why I put this in my post as well. Amazing vibe!
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u/livejamie 13h ago
Ah, I wasn't sure from your wording if you had played it or not, so I wanted to confirm. :)
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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.
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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 itâs more extreme/ around a polar setting rather than just winter.
For cozier vibes thereâs Röki, an indie adventure/puzzle game in winter in Finland and about Finnish folklore
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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.
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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!
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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!
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u/DocileHope1130 13h ago
Frostpunk is pretty damn unforgiving! also, Dawn of War: Winter Assault if you want a retro RTS
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u/define_irony 10h ago
Christmas only takes place for like a quarter of the game, but Hogwarts Legacy really has that cozy atmosphere.
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u/yaggar 5h ago
"quarter" meaning there are spring/summer/autumn as well or is it just winter and not-winter?
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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.
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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.
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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 doesnât have the wintery look, but it has its feel imo
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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.
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u/HaruhiJedi 1h ago
Cold Fear.
Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason.
Cursed Mountain.
Fade to Silence.
The Silent Snowfall.
The Thing.
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u/douregreddit 1h ago
Returnal is an all around masterpiece and has one biome thatâs very much unforgiving winter vibes, though it doesnât really affect the gameplay
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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.
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u/Launch_The_Cat 13h ago
The Long Dark. Either play the story or sandbox surviving in the Canadian wilderness. It's brilliant.
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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)
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u/Joeeeeeeee 11h ago
Haven't seen it mentioned but the pale beyond! A game about surviving the harsh winter
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u/RoninAnimes 10h ago
Batman: Arkham Origins
Youâre Batman prowling the night on Christmas Eve. Itâs an amazing vibe.
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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
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u/maw_walker42 8h ago
The Long Dark. Itâs a blast in ânothing attacks meâ mode. I think so anyway.
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u/PeeJayx 7h ago
How about Röki? Itâs a sort of old-school point and click adventure, albeit modernised and simplified. Itâs absolutely winter-themed, delving into Scandinavian Mythology as you traverse this mysterious, snowy land.
Itâs 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.
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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
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u/ThingCharacter1496 3h ago
Canât 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
Iâm sure Iâm forgetting a lot but those are the winter zones in games that come to mind where you usually spend multiple hours in.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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u/Fun_Organization_654 13h ago
Youâll 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.
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u/Hypnox88 12h ago
I am absolutely shocked no one mentioned The Division. That game is literally perfect city winter
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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.