There are a couple of things that spring to mind when thinking about the winter holidays. Food, lots of food, family, trees in your living room, pretty lights and of course snow. But snow is cold, wet and you want to be warm with a hot cup of your favorite beverage. But why not enjoy both? Here is a list of games that let you do just that. Some of them are all out snow wonderlands while others have it a bit less while still retaining that winter-y holiday atmosphere. So without further ado, in no particular order, let's jump into the list.
Make sure to visit our KeenShop by clicking the links in the list titles. Use "GAMING CHRISTMAS" voucher code at the checkout page to get 7% OFF! And if you wish to give the game as a Christmas present, just write it in the comment while making the order and we will send it to you. Happy gaming!
Assassin's Creed 3, Rogue and Syndicate Jack The Ripper DLC
Ark: Survival Evolved
Ark is consistently among top 20 most played games on Steam. It recently got out of a long early access period and while the game still has plenty of room for improvement, no one can argue that the graphics, if cranked all the way up can produce some great sights. This is especially true in the snowy biomes all with appropriate flora, fauna and snowball fights to the death.
Batman Arkham City & Arkham Origins
Arkham City features minimal snow falling but there are other details that make this a moody winter game, like visible cold breath when people are breathing. There's even the below zero Mr. Freeze missions that will take the winter wonderland to the extreme. Arkham Origins is a bit snowier and is even set during Christmas Eve to further add to the great winter feeling.
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim is the northernmost region of Tamriel is mostly covered in snow. Sure, there are lush green regions, but nothing beats climbing to the tallest snow ridden mountain, fighting off strong winds, frost trolls and wolves to reach your destiny.
Far Cry 4 & Valley of the YETIS dlc
Far Cry 4 is set in a fictional Himalayan country so snow is to be expected. Well, the base game features surprisingly little snow. Still, the mood is definitely cold and wintery, but snowy Himalayan areas are tied exclusively to missions. The Valley of the Yetis DLC, on the other hand, is a perfect snowy gaming retreat, if you don't mind the bloodthirsty Yetis that is.
Just Cause 2 & Just Cause 3
Just Cause games feature gigantic worlds with multiple biomes. One of those happens to be huge snowy areas and mountain ranges. There are snowmen to blow up, sleds to ride down the mountain with and cause all-around winter mayhem.
Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild
Breath of The Wild is like a childhood dream that's difficult not to enjoy. This also applies to the games winter, snowy regions that will have poor link shivering unless you dress him appropriately or keep him near a heat source. It's like a survival game packed inside a Zelda game and that's awesome in my book.
Rise Of The Tomb Raider
Lara taking a shivering stroll through the snow is a joy. Lifting her feet so she can walk easier, fighting for her life against deadly beasts that roam the environment. The beginning of the game will already have you sold on it if you are looking for a dangerous winter wonderland to play in.
Steep
It's kinda hard having a winter extreme sports game set in the Alps without having snow don't you think? And sure enough, wherever you look – pure whiteness. Take your friends along for the ride and enjoy activities like skiing, wingsuit flying, snowboarding and paragliding in this beautiful open world game.
Star Wars Battlefront 2
I can't not include Battlefront 2 here. I mean Frostbite engine has the word frost in it. So that's sure to make the iconic snowy planet of Hoth map look amazing right? Correct. If you can't get enough of that pew-pew Star Wars shooting but want to mix it with winter wonder, this game and map are for you.
The Division
The Division has its flaws but the winter, holiday mood is not among them. Just take a stroll around this depiction of modern day, after-viral outbreak version of New York and soak it all in.
Forza Horizon 3 Blizzard Mountain
Horizon Zero Dawn Frozen Wilds
The most recent game on this list. And the most beautiful. With jaw-dropping snow effects. It's even used in our cover for this article. Need I say more?
So there you have it, a list of our favorite snowy games. Make sure you drop a comment on your favorite games featuring the cold white to help get us through the winter.
