The cold winter months are the perfect time to get cozy, whether that be with a wholesome Christmas movie and a hot drink or sweating out some intense games. Winter-themed games arebest played from the comfort of a couch or bed, snuggled upwhile avoiding the cold outside elements.
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The games on this list all take place during winter or feature winter seasons, some of which have truly frosty climates, so make sure to stay warm and toasty while playing. These are thebest and coziest winter gamescurrently available on the market.
10Little Inferno
As temperatures outside begin to drop and frost begins to form, what better game to play than one that involves throwing toys onto a fire?Little Infernois a satirical masterpiece with gameplay entirely focused around a warm fireplace, away from the cold world outside.
The player gets to throw many different toys and props onto a roaring fire and watch the flames burn, using anything from credit cards to exploding fish to fuel their pyromaniac fantasies.Little Infernois a fantastic indie adventure game that will take the chill off and warm any player’s bones during the cold winter season. Ten years after its release, it has received a Ho-Ho-Holiday Expansionjust in time for the festive season.
9The Red Lantern
The Red Lanterntakes place in the Alaskan freezing-cold tundra, surrounded by ice-capped mountains and endless snowy wilderness. The player takes control of the Musher as she embarks on her new life in Alaska and must dash through snow and treacherous terrain to find her log cabin, aided by her five trusty canine companions.
As they make their way across the frozen wilderness,the player must manage their resourcesand ensure their dogs' survival as well as their own by hunting for food and conserving their energy by resting at a cozy campfire. Every decision the player makes inThe Red Lanterncan either help or hinder their trek home, so choose wisely.
8A Short Hike
Explore an expansive mountainous island park inA Short Hike.Players control a bird named Claire, visiting her Aunt. She must climb to the snowy summit of his tall mountain to get cell phone reception. Claire can unlock abilities to fly, climb, and glide as she collects gold and silver feathers, allowing her to battle the elements and trek her way to the top.
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Alongher journey to the mountain’s peak, Claire encounters many quirky characters, each with their own minor task to complete. Helping the island’s residents with their requests is optional but a fun and charming way to experience more of whatA Short Hikeoffers.
7I Am Setsuna
Set in a whimsical world of snow and ice, coupled with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, isI Am Setsuna.Players take control of a masked mercenary named Endir, given the arduous task of killing the next chosen sacrifice, Satsuna, to maintain peace and quell the growing onslaught of monsters plaguing their island.
Endir decides against murdering Satsuna and instead aids her on her journey to the Last Lands in a heart-warming journey.I Am Setsunais a short and sweet JRPG, brought to life with a charming cast of characters and delicately hand-painted icy environments.
6Spiritfarer
Spiritfarertakes players on awholesome and joyous journey of exploring life and deathwith stunningly hand-drawn landscapes. Players take control of Stella, a young ferry master, as she befriends various spirits and guides them to the afterlife, creating cherishable memories.
It features wholesome resource-management aspects, as Stella can customize her boat andcook new recipes, with endless other activities awaiting her. AlthoughSpiritfarertackles difficult topics like loss and death, it is an adorably wholesome and cozy game that teaches players how to cope with grief and how to say goodbye to loved ones.
5The Long Dark
Not many survival games are as immersive asThe Long Dark.Players are thrust into a cold and unforgiving landscape, with no way of survival other than their own wits. The player character, Will Mackenzie, must navigate the Canadian wilderness after his plane crashes with danger seemingly at every turn.
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It is survival of the fittest inThe Long Darkasthe player must hunt for their own food and scavenge for life-saving resources. As if that wasn’t enough, players should try and stay moving to avoid the animals that may be hunting them in the dark, like wolves and bears. Players must build a cozy shelter and stay warm to prevent succumbing to dangerous ailments like frostbite and hypothermia.
4Roki
Inspired by Scandinavian folklore,Rökitakes players on a whirlwind adventure through a forgotten world full of intrigue, monsters, and magic. Players join a young girl by the name of Trove as she explores these mystical and snowy landscapes in search of her lost family.
Rökiis a point-and-click adventure game with a fairytale twist, as Trove encountersmany magical creatures on her journey, from the friendly and mystical to the downright mysterious. This Nordic snowy wilderness is bursting with secrets to explore and a charming wintery addition to any gamer’s wishlists.
3Animal Crossing: New Horizons
No other game celebrates the festive season and Christmas quite likeAnimal Crossing: New Horizons.Mid-way through November in the Northern Hemisphere, players should begin to see their islands decorated in snow, with large catchable snowflakes falling from the sky. The snowy season means players can craft dozens of wintery-themed DIY recipes andbuild an iconic snowman.
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Snow transforms anyAnimal Crossing: New Horizonisland into a gorgeous winter wonderland to enjoy. Players can build cute and cozy hotspots with campfires for their villagers to escape the cold. On the 24th of December, a reindeer Santa-esque character namedJingle will be in the Town Square for Toy Day, rewarding the player with presents for completing small tasks to get into the holiday spirit.
2Stardew Valley
Stardew Valleyfeatures the iconic four-way seasons, and it is delightful to watch the seasonal transition. Winter inStardew Valleyis a time of preparation to gear their farm up for the upcoming year and upgrade all their tools, but it is also a great time to build friendships with Pelican Town’s residents.
On the 25th of Winter, aspiring farmers are invited to Pelican Town tocelebrate the Feast of the Winter Star. The town is decorated with candy canes and Christmas trees thatnot even a Grinch could resist. There’s even a secret gift-giving event where the player is given a random villager to exchange gifts with for festive fun.
1The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimremains one of the most popular RPGs in gaming history, even a decade after its release. Straight from the get-go, the Dragonborn player character is immediately plunged into a frosty Nordic landscape with snow-capped trees as far as the eye can see.
Skyrim has no specific seasons, only seemingly endless winter and snowy conditions.Players can rest at local inns to escape the cold and warm up by the fire with a tankard of mead. There’s nothing quite like the nostalgia of roaming aroundSkyrim’ssnowy open wilderness at night while seeing a glowing Aurora Borealis on the skyline’s horizon.
