Skyrim has always been that winter game for me. It always hits the holiday Christmas vibe. It captures that childlike freedom when you were on Christmas break. But now I am playing Witcher 3. My goodness. I am currently on Skellige and it is the most perfect time to explore this isle! PS- Elden Ring to me gives off that lonely secluded winter vibe too. I'll save that for next winter! Love your work.
Cyberpunk 2077 to me has a winter vibe, but like a high desert Southern California winter vibe if that makes sense?? Like a cold chilly day, but it's sunny outside and you see that sort of winter dusk out there in the Mojave (which can actually get properly cold out there at high elevations!)
I played through Dark Souls 3 during the winter break of my first year of university, and I remember it so vividly. Dark Souls 3 always makes me think of winter because of that, and vice versa.
I played through Twilight Princess during a particularly cold New England winter as a kid. The cold dark tones of the story paired with the actual Yetis and snow temple created such a creepy yet cozy atmosphere that made you want to burrow further into your blanket.
The Stalker & Metro series are winter games to me, mostly cause they are based in an autumn/winter setting but the atmosphere sucks me in every time. The most winter game I have played is more one of memories of Christmas, I bought myself Journey to the Savage Planet on Christmas day and got so immersed into it that I think I beat it that day or boxing day, if you want a cool planet exploration game, definitely check it out. I had the pleasure of playing it at EGX and I didn't see anyone check out their booth so I went over and spoke to the developer and was one of my most pleasant experiences. This was the EGX where Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom Eternal were being shown at so there was clearly a big focus on these but something about this little indie game tucked away just left a great impression on me. I had to wait a year for it to come to Steam as it went to the Epic Store first but I am glad I still remembered that little fun space game. Please check it out, the game needs more recognition for how fun it is.
Adding more to the list! Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, Hollow Knight, Yakuza 0, Fable 2 snow part, Diddy Kong Racing 64 (the Christmas levels are CHEF'S KISS!)
To me alot of these feel like the average day in Scotland, lmao The Division I associate with winter, the snowy new york city is such an iconic "magical" place and seeing it twisted by the dollar flu and the lack of people in one of the busiest places on earth is just eerie. Such a beautiful game that goes from peaceful wandering to melancholic vibes and dances around with horror looking at the worst behaviour of people and the nightmare of the deadly virus.
Super dope video man! Skyrim is definitely a winter game for me. The snowy landscape and the music just completely hit, and I first played it in a January and often revisit it towards the end of a year. I don’t know if could say another winter game for me but I’m starting to pick games to play these days based on the season going on so hopefully next year there will be a good list.
Ico is a game I associate with winter not because of the atmosphere of the game itself (it's a lot more spring-y or summer-y), but because I first played it in the middle of winter. I still remember the feeling of playing the game deep in the night, listening to the save music while watching the snow gently falling outside my window, under the amber light of the street lamps. Everything was so quiet and peaceful, and every time I hear that song, I think of those snowy nights.
For me it’s Disco elysium. Although it takes place right before the spring thaw, the bitter cold of sea air in the winter breaks through the screen. Life changing game. There’s nothing else quite like it. I think the main reason it has such intense winter vibes for me is because in disco, every moment of warmth feels hard-won. The guy you wake up as is not someone anyone would want to be, and that includes him. Everywhere you go you find someone struggling, or hurt, or surviving, and some of them are worse off because of your actions pre-game. The very blunt and cold atmosphere of Martinaise, and Revachol in general, make every moment of connection and hope that much more impactful. Every person you help, every mystery you unfold, you fight for. Disco holds the same beauty and brutality as winter, and I think that duality is what makes it connect with so many people. It’s not one-note, all positivity or nihilism. It’s hard, but very worth it.
A really great explanation of a feeling I absolutely adore. Elden ring and hollow knight being my favorite games. And the distinguishing factor between games that are good and games that are incredible to me is the atmosphere. This winter like silent and gloomy atmosphere especially. Great video.
Diablo II Lord of Destructions Act V hits that winter vibe for me. Slowly climbing up Mt Arreat pursuing Baal going through war torn battlefields and icy dark maze like caves. The peak being for me when you reach the summit and fight the three ancients guarding the entrance to the world stone. It's been embedded into my memory for years.
Far Cry 4 definitely fits the bill in the literal sense. Don't Starve too in my opinion, even when you're not in the winter season during gameplay. I think the art, atmosphere and overall sense of comfy dread make it a perfect winter game
For some reason i connect the Halo series with christmas and winter. usually they release the games around this time so i have always played it in the holiday season!
I saw the intro and realized I've played most of these! Still need to play outer wilds. Sable is such a great pick, and the moebius artistic influence gives it such an awesome vibe I cannot recommend it enough!
Fellow TH-camr, loved this video! My go-to’s at Christmas are Mafia 2 and more recently Spider-Man Miles Morales but I’m so glad you said Death Stranding, I first played that one during Winter and that connection has never gone away 😄 keep up the good work!
I feel like games feel like the seasons we play them in. Kinda like how music relates to memories. One of these games for me is fortnite. Specifically season 7, i’ve played the game on and off since late 2017, but that season in particular holds a special place in my heart. To me it feels reminds me of the holidays, specifically being a kid during Christmas time. Another game that reminds me of winter is warframe. I used to play it a lot during quarantine as i had a ton of free time. The game is very grindy and i feel like that goes well with the cultural idea of a “winter arc.” The idea is to work as hard as you can on yourself, be it school, work, the gym, or hobbies so that when spring comes you feel like you made progress during winter. Contrarily i feel like for me rdr2 embodies late summer. I’ve played rdr2 a few times and every time i get into i put a good 100 or so hours into. During august 2023 i played it a lot. This was before i went off to my sophomore year of college, which was a big change in my life. To me the game is like the calm before the storm in a sense where it’s a peaceful game where you can just wander around and enjoy the wilderness. August is the last month of summer and is the last month where it’s nice and warm all the time. This ties in nicely with the games themes of freedom vs civilization. Sorry if i’m rambling, i could probably make my own video on this topic lol
AC 3, both for the atmosphere and setting within the game as well as the nostalgia on my part (I played it during a cozy, dark, lonely in a good way winter time).
I'd add Arkham City for its somber winter atmosphere and Bully for the exact opposite, a cozy childhood nostalgia, especially when you play through the Christmas season in-game.
My winter game is the division 1 , first time played it back during covid on december, we all can't go outside but I played with this one player daily for almost the entire December.
Extremely obvious because of all the snow but one of my favorite traditions that my wife and i have is playing the two newer god of wars each christmas
I love From Software in general but Dark Souls 2 in particular became the most wintery for me because I ended up naturally falling into this tradition of playing it every other December for some reason. I haven't played it since 2020 though.
Being I played my first Dragon Quest game on Christmas Eve(DQVIII) because it arrived then every DQ game reminds me of winter lol Also this game I'm playing right now Octopath Traveler.. Additionally Silent Hill 1.. SH 2 reminds me of fall however.. Moreover I usually binge the Ace Combat series round New Years every January even tho I tend to suck at it..
Just got done playing The Last of Us Part II for the second time since I played it at release, and I loved it even more. I envy that you’re playing it for the first time because it’s such an unforgettable game.
Fallout 4 has always felt like winter to me. It takes place in October (so I'm not far off in canon) but something about the intermittent wind, lack of snow, and (mostly) dry setting reminds me a lot of the south where I grew up. Our winters tend to be winter-y in every way *except* visual so it's very easy to convince myself that my character is bundled up because (despite the sunny skies) it's like 30-40 degrees outside. (Also it's my head-canon to rationalize the fact my character is wearing 19 layers of leather and metal armor when it looks to be 70+ degrees outside lol)
What are some of your go-to cozy winter games?
Celeste! but then i did any% speedrun and starting feeling like all the time lol
*Rise of the Tomb Raider* (2015) ❄️🏹
Stardew valley
Skyrim has always been that winter game for me. It always hits the holiday Christmas vibe. It captures that childlike freedom when you were on Christmas break.
But now I am playing Witcher 3. My goodness. I am currently on Skellige and it is the most perfect time to explore this isle!
PS- Elden Ring to me gives off that lonely secluded winter vibe too. I'll save that for next winter! Love your work.
Red Dead 2 for me. It might be beacuse that was when I first played the game, but still It feels so much like wintertime.
Came to say just this. RDR2 is the quintessential winter game for me.
The slow tempo of gameplay and the world definitely has a winter vibe
Cybperpunk 2077.... it feels like so dark, yet so cozy.. Cold perhaps.
I want to live in Night City, which is strange considering the place is so inhospitable.
Same for me! I originally wanted to put in in here, but I tend to talk about it in every video already 😅
Cyberpunk 2077 to me has a winter vibe, but like a high desert Southern California winter vibe if that makes sense?? Like a cold chilly day, but it's sunny outside and you see that sort of winter dusk out there in the Mojave (which can actually get properly cold out there at high elevations!)
I played through Dark Souls 3 during the winter break of my first year of university, and I remember it so vividly. Dark Souls 3 always makes me think of winter because of that, and vice versa.
the witcher 3...last winter i binged it due to a bad breakup and god damn man, it fits the bill real well
Especially Skellige I’d imagine, that island is such a winter vibe
IDK why, but for me it has a spring/early summer vibe (that is when I first played it lol)
I played through Twilight Princess during a particularly cold New England winter as a kid. The cold dark tones of the story paired with the actual Yetis and snow temple created such a creepy yet cozy atmosphere that made you want to burrow further into your blanket.
The Stalker & Metro series are winter games to me, mostly cause they are based in an autumn/winter setting but the atmosphere sucks me in every time.
The most winter game I have played is more one of memories of Christmas, I bought myself Journey to the Savage Planet on Christmas day and got so immersed into it that I think I beat it that day or boxing day, if you want a cool planet exploration game, definitely check it out.
I had the pleasure of playing it at EGX and I didn't see anyone check out their booth so I went over and spoke to the developer and was one of my most pleasant experiences. This was the EGX where Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom Eternal were being shown at so there was clearly a big focus on these but something about this little indie game tucked away just left a great impression on me. I had to wait a year for it to come to Steam as it went to the Epic Store first but I am glad I still remembered that little fun space game. Please check it out, the game needs more recognition for how fun it is.
Definitely will add it to the list !
Silent Hill 1 & 2 have that atmosphere that i associate with winter
Oh 100%. I am too much of a wimp to play SH2, but when I tried it I IMMEDIATELY got that vibe
this list isnt complete without the long dark
Still on my backlog! But certainly looks like it would fit the list haha
Great Bear will always be my winter home.
My favourite game of the current era, by a country mile 🙌
Disco Elysium, Frostpunk, and Metro Exodus give me FIRM winter vibes!
I was looking for all of these on the list, lmaoo
Adding more to the list! Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, Hollow Knight, Yakuza 0, Fable 2 snow part, Diddy Kong Racing 64 (the Christmas levels are CHEF'S KISS!)
Criminally underrated channel
Preciate it 🫡
Batman Arkham Games, not only is origins set on Christmas, but the entire series is so dark and isolating, but you have the comfort of being Batman
Death Stranding is a winter game for me through and through. That string of deliveries you do around the mountains fills me with nostalgia
To me alot of these feel like the average day in Scotland, lmao
The Division I associate with winter, the snowy new york city is such an iconic "magical" place and seeing it twisted by the dollar flu and the lack of people in one of the busiest places on earth is just eerie. Such a beautiful game that goes from peaceful wandering to melancholic vibes and dances around with horror looking at the worst behaviour of people and the nightmare of the deadly virus.
Oh YEAH I had forgotten about the Division, loveddd the atmosphere of NYC there .
Heavy Rain feels like fall, Resident Evil Seperate ways feels like winter, Devil May Cry 5 feels like summer, Any far cry is a spring / summer game.
15:18 dont worry about that, i really enjoy hearing your viewpoint on games. you express your thoughts very well and in a natural way
Super dope video man! Skyrim is definitely a winter game for me. The snowy landscape and the music just completely hit, and I first played it in a January and often revisit it towards the end of a year.
I don’t know if could say another winter game for me but I’m starting to pick games to play these days based on the season going on so hopefully next year there will be a good list.
*BULLY'S WINTER SEASON*
Ico is a game I associate with winter not because of the atmosphere of the game itself (it's a lot more spring-y or summer-y), but because I first played it in the middle of winter. I still remember the feeling of playing the game deep in the night, listening to the save music while watching the snow gently falling outside my window, under the amber light of the street lamps. Everything was so quiet and peaceful, and every time I hear that song, I think of those snowy nights.
Disco Elysium feels perfect for winter with its narrator adding to the cozy feeling
For me it’s Disco elysium. Although it takes place right before the spring thaw, the bitter cold of sea air in the winter breaks through the screen. Life changing game. There’s nothing else quite like it.
I think the main reason it has such intense winter vibes for me is because in disco, every moment of warmth feels hard-won. The guy you wake up as is not someone anyone would want to be, and that includes him. Everywhere you go you find someone struggling, or hurt, or surviving, and some of them are worse off because of your actions pre-game. The very blunt and cold atmosphere of Martinaise, and Revachol in general, make every moment of connection and hope that much more impactful. Every person you help, every mystery you unfold, you fight for. Disco holds the same beauty and brutality as winter, and I think that duality is what makes it connect with so many people. It’s not one-note, all positivity or nihilism. It’s hard, but very worth it.
the long dark is a very winter feeling game. mostly because there is snow everywhere.
I’m replaying Ghost of Tsushima right now, and it’s got hella winter vibes. Such a good game, especially in the fall/winter times
Funny it reminds me of middle of summer because thats when I got my preorder.. But I do see your point with the wintry scenes
This video has such a good vibe. It reminds me of chatting with my friends from high-school where there's a slight downpour outside. Great video!
Thanks friend! Glad you enjoyed it
A really great explanation of a feeling I absolutely adore. Elden ring and hollow knight being my favorite games. And the distinguishing factor between games that are good and games that are incredible to me is the atmosphere. This winter like silent and gloomy atmosphere especially. Great video.
Diablo II Lord of Destructions Act V hits that winter vibe for me. Slowly climbing up Mt Arreat pursuing Baal going through war torn battlefields and icy dark maze like caves. The peak being for me when you reach the summit and fight the three ancients guarding the entrance to the world stone. It's been embedded into my memory for years.
Far Cry 4 definitely fits the bill in the literal sense. Don't Starve too in my opinion, even when you're not in the winter season during gameplay. I think the art, atmosphere and overall sense of comfy dread make it a perfect winter game
For some reason i connect the Halo series with christmas and winter. usually they release the games around this time so i have always played it in the holiday season!
I’ve made a habit of playing The Division every time Christmas rolls around
I saw the intro and realized I've played most of these! Still need to play outer wilds. Sable is such a great pick, and the moebius artistic influence gives it such an awesome vibe I cannot recommend it enough!
Mafia 2 for me
Metroid Prime on the GameCube will forever feel like Winter to me, fond memories of that era.
Man i wanted this video so bad. But never thought anyone else even knew whata winter game is.
the fact that i played it in august and still felt that winter atmosphere is crazy
Fellow TH-camr, loved this video! My go-to’s at Christmas are Mafia 2 and more recently Spider-Man Miles Morales but I’m so glad you said Death Stranding, I first played that one during Winter and that connection has never gone away 😄 keep up the good work!
I feel like games feel like the seasons we play them in. Kinda like how music relates to memories. One of these games for me is fortnite. Specifically season 7, i’ve played the game on and off since late 2017, but that season in particular holds a special place in my heart. To me it feels reminds me of the holidays, specifically being a kid during Christmas time. Another game that reminds me of winter is warframe. I used to play it a lot during quarantine as i had a ton of free time. The game is very grindy and i feel like that goes well with the cultural idea of a “winter arc.” The idea is to work as hard as you can on yourself, be it school, work, the gym, or hobbies so that when spring comes you feel like you made progress during winter. Contrarily i feel like for me rdr2 embodies late summer. I’ve played rdr2 a few times and every time i get into i put a good 100 or so hours into. During august 2023 i played it a lot. This was before i went off to my sophomore year of college, which was a big change in my life. To me the game is like the calm before the storm in a sense where it’s a peaceful game where you can just wander around and enjoy the wilderness. August is the last month of summer and is the last month where it’s nice and warm all the time. This ties in nicely with the games themes of freedom vs civilization. Sorry if i’m rambling, i could probably make my own video on this topic lol
AC 3, both for the atmosphere and setting within the game as well as the nostalgia on my part (I played it during a cozy, dark, lonely in a good way winter time).
I'd add Arkham City for its somber winter atmosphere and Bully for the exact opposite, a cozy childhood nostalgia, especially when you play through the Christmas season in-game.
My winter game is the division 1 , first time played it back during covid on december, we all can't go outside but I played with this one player daily for almost the entire December.
Extremely obvious because of all the snow but one of my favorite traditions that my wife and i have is playing the two newer god of wars each christmas
I love From Software in general but Dark Souls 2 in particular became the most wintery for me because I ended up naturally falling into this tradition of playing it every other December for some reason. I haven't played it since 2020 though.
Cool video man !
11:10 one thing that games are failing to fix is that fire cannot be burned while raining lol....
4:17 "embodify" lol
The Long Dark
this is such a cool video!!
Outer Wilds ❤. That's all I needed to hear to download it again and complete it for the 100th time ❤
Witcher 3 is my ultimate winter game. Give it a replay every Christmas/new year.
Good stuff, man.
Appreciate it choom!
Hell yeah, Souls games are definitely my favourite winter games. I'm probably going to play Outer Wilds and Sable this Christmas.
8:00 havent played Kingdom, but seems close in vibe to Yes Your Grace, would recommend
Ooh yes! I’ll add it to the list
Kingdom call out, one of my fave games ever
🫡
I play Celeste every year. Strong Winter vibes on that one
I think a game that matches that kinda vibe is Deaths door
Similar to dark souls, hollow knight and hyper light drifter are yearly games for me since i found them. very melancholy and fun.
bully during christmas
Ghost of Tsushima as well is a game that feels like winter
Resident evil 2. Don’t know why but I always replay it in December
The OG Dead space and Fallout 3 for me
Keep on the good work. It sure sucks to please the Algorithm but your essay’s are really good.
Ha thank you :)
It’s Skyrim for me, almost everything about it I associate with winter for some reason
LiS and maybe Transistor.
Skyrim❤
Being I played my first Dragon Quest game on Christmas Eve(DQVIII) because it arrived then every DQ game reminds me of winter lol Also this game I'm playing right now Octopath Traveler.. Additionally Silent Hill 1.. SH 2 reminds me of fall however..
Moreover I usually binge the Ace Combat series round New Years every January even tho I tend to suck at it..
I'd add Frostpunk to the list.
Spiderman Miles Morales ❄️
Maybe it's too on the nose, but Division 1.
it's not a masterpiece game, but spider-man : Miles morales is a winter game i like
For me, it’s hands down Witcher 3.
I’ll try RDR2 soon
Also, the sinnoh Pokémon games and Sword Shield
Just got done playing The Last of Us Part II for the second time since I played it at release, and I loved it even more. I envy that you’re playing it for the first time because it’s such an unforgettable game.
Oblivion
Fallout 4 has always felt like winter to me. It takes place in October (so I'm not far off in canon) but something about the intermittent wind, lack of snow, and (mostly) dry setting reminds me a lot of the south where I grew up. Our winters tend to be winter-y in every way *except* visual so it's very easy to convince myself that my character is bundled up because (despite the sunny skies) it's like 30-40 degrees outside.
(Also it's my head-canon to rationalize the fact my character is wearing 19 layers of leather and metal armor when it looks to be 70+ degrees outside lol)
I feel that with the sunny skies but still having to bundle up
👍🏻 👌🏼
For me it's Fortnite chapter 7 and especially winter Minecraft maps :)
Arkham Origins and Arkham City give me huge Winter Vibes or Cold Winter Nights Feelings
Ooh nice! Have only played Asylum and Knight, gotta play those as well