December is here. Time for cold weather, early nights, little twinkling lights in the Christmas tree, family gatherings by candle lights….and of course time to spend playing your favorite video games. Did you know quite a few games are set in Winter, or at least, have snow in them? Let’s take a look!
Project Winter
Genre: Survival, Action
Rating: US Teen, UK 12+
System: Steam, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Developers | Publishers: Other Ocean Interactive
Project Winter is a survival game for up to 8 players. You have to build or find shelter, fight off wildlife, and survive to escape this winter-scape that is filled with dangers. It’s a great game to play with a big group if you have a large number of people visiting for the holiday.
Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna)
Genre: Platform, Story-Rich, Adventure
Rating: US E10+, UK 12+
System: Wii U, Mac, Steam, PS4, Xbox
Developers | Publishers: Upper One Games | E-Line Media
Never Alone is probably one of the most beautiful games ever created. While a few years old, this retelling of the Iñupiaq tale Kunuuksaayuka will warm the hearts of everyone who plays it this season. If you love good storytelling and myths from other cultures, Never Alone is sure to be a winner this winter.
Animal Crossing: Any
Genre: Simulation, Relaxing
Rating: US E, UK 3+
System: Any Nintendo System
Developers | Publishers: Nintendo
This time of year, Animal Crossing games are always ready to celebrate all the holidays. No matter where in the world you are located, there is always snow for the holidays in Animal Crossing! From the mobile-only Pocket Camp to New Horizons and back to the ancient Doubutsu no Mori, all these games are ready to help deck the halls this holiday season. As we love Animal Crossing New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch we published some guides to AC which you can find here. Our newest guide for Animal Crossing New Horizons Happy Home Paradise can be found here.
A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build
Genre: Simulation
Rating: US E, UK 3+
System: Switch, Steam, iOS
Developers | Publishers: Alan Hazelden, Benjamin Davis | Draknek
Build a snowman with the world’s cutest monster! Not everyone gets snow during the month of December, but everyone can build the perfect snowman from the warmth and comfort of their couch with A Good Snowman is Hard to Build. You can read our review for A Good Snowman is Hard to Build here.
SnowRunner
Genre: Simulation, Action, Driving, Adventure
Rating: US E, UK 3+
System: Steam, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Developers | Publishers: Saber Interactive | Focus Home Interactive
SnowRunner is a massive simulation game that lets players drive through the snow with an 18-wheeler. There are tons of DLC for this game, and critics love it for the realistic excitement of a dangerous job. If you are looking to get your heart racing this Christmas, check out the dangerous side of the snow.
Feel The Snow
Genre: Horror, Simulation, Survival
Rating: US NR, UK NR
System: Steam
Developers | Publishers: Owlet
Yes, this title is a horror game. It’s a spooky survival game with building simulation aspects. Players need to build a shelter before the nightmarish creatures of the dark come out to eat anyone not hiding behind thick walls. While this game is scary, it’s still suitable for younger audiences. Its pixelated characters and lack of blood or gore make it suitable for anyone who likes a good spook any time of the year.
Minecraft
Genre: Sandbox, Simulation, Building
Rating: US E10+, UK 7+
System: Switch, Steam, Mac, Mobile, PlayStation, Xbox
Developers | Publishers: Mojang
Okay, so Minecraft is a sandbox game that’s about more than snow, but if anyone out there is looking to build a massive snow fort this snowy time of year, Minecraft is the way to do it. As of November 30th, players can also dig into the new snowy regions of the Caves and Cliffs Part 2, which includes new snow blocks and new frozen wastelands to get lost in.
Where the Snow Settles
Genre: Casual, Adventure
Rating: US E, UK NR
System: Steam, Xbox
Developers | Publishers: Myriad Games Studio
Where the Snow Settles is a pretty short game, but it is worth picking up if you like mysteries and puzzle games. This snowy title is all about learning secrets by interacting with the supernatural NPCs that players meet in the dangerous, snow-covered woods as the main character fights her way through the cold to get home.
Super Snow Tubes
Genre: Action, Adventure, Racing, Sports
Rating: US NR, UK NR
System: Steam
Developers | Publishers: GameDevMix
This racing game is not out yet at the time of this writing, but it looks so fun! With full controller support, players can race downhill in Intertubes on the snow, dodging trees and snowmen while speeding down the mountainside. Nothing like a good race to warm up the coldest time of the year!
Everybody Wham Wham
Genre: Casual
Rating: US NR, UK NR
System: Steam
Developers | Publishers: Bonte Avond
This game is so cute! Everybody Wham Wham pits players against NPCs that all want to build the best snowman, but some of those contestants will do anything to win. Including sabotage your snowman! Make friends, drink “Chocolade Melk,” and win the best snowman of the year award.