Best Open-World Games Set During Winter

Key Takeaways

• Winter settings in games offer unique exploration opportunities and memorable experiences.
• Titles like Skyrim, Batman: Arkham Origins, and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales capture the essence of the season.
• Games like The Division, Bully, Dead Rising 4, and Yakuza 5 also showcase winter vibes creatively.

The winter season is a great setting for many games to experiment with, letting players explore vast and rich worlds covered in snow. Open-world titles that make the most of these chilly vibes end up being rather memorable as a result.

Players who want to check out the best video games that elicit the spirit of the winter season will have their work cut out for them. There are many options to choose from, and each title will be worth checking out for fans who want to enjoy some of the most beautiful open worlds to get lost in.

The Snowy World Of The Nords Makes For One Of The Best Elder Scrolls Sandboxes To Explore

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is one of the greatest video games of all time that needs no introduction. The focus on the eponymous country and its chilly landscapes makes it a great title to get into the spirit of the winter season.

Unlike Cyrodil from the previous Elder Scrolls game, the beautiful landscape of Skyrim is rife with snow-covered peaks and frosty locales that are a joy to explore. If a player has somehow not played this game yet, then they should drop everything and help their Dragonborn beat Alduin and save the world from destruction.

7 Batman: Arkham Origins

The Caped Crusader Takes On Numerous Villains On Christmas Eve

Batman: Arkham Origins is considered by many to be the black sheep of the Arkham series, which is a shame since this title brings its fair share of strengths to the table too. Impressive boss fights and the tantalizing setting of Christmas Eve give Origins an edge over other games in the series.

As long as players are willing to accept a stronger version of Batman in what is supposed to be a prequel to the main Arkham series, they’ll have a great time playing through Arkham Origins. The combat system is satisfying, and the litany of villains Batman must fight make this game quite iconic.

6 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

New York City Looks Beautiful Covered In Snow

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a bite-sized take on Insomniac’s web-slinging formula that features Miles as the protagonist. When Peter decides to help MJ out and leaves New York, Miles must take on the responsibility of being the city’s sole Spidey protector.

He does this in stride, taking on everything from rampant gangs to corrupt corporations while trying to stop the Tinkerer. All of this occurs around Christmastime, coating New York in a layer of snow and lights that makes it a joy to swing through.

5 Tom Clancy’s The Division

A Viral Epidemic Ravaged The World Around Black Friday, With New York City Perpetually Covered In Christmas Decor

Many people love the multiplayer gameplay of The Division, with the sequel refining the gameplay loop to become one of the best third-person shooters players can get their hands on. Teaming up with players for certain missions and taking on other human opponents in The Dark Zone is a tantalizing gameplay loop that was slowly perfected over time.

The setting of The Division is one of the game’s strongest elements, with an epidemic decimating New York City around Black Friday. This means that Christmas decorations are strung across the game world even now, with the snow-covered borough of Manhattan being iconic to explore — though rife with threats around every corner.

4 Bully

The Game Goes Through An Entire Year, Including Christmas Time

Rockstar Games has developed some of the greatest open-world games ever made, and Bully is no exception. Controlling a problem student as he’s betrayed by a person pretending to be his friend is a surprisingly deep and engaging story that fans can’t get enough of.

While the game takes place over an entire school year, the winter season is the focus of Chapter 3. Bullworth Academy and its surroundings look amazing covered in snow and help make the world feel more varied and alive, something that Rockstar Games excels in.

3 Dead Rising 4

Kill Zombies To Celebrate Christmas

Dead Rising 4 may have its fair share of critics, but there’s no denying that the game’s setting is one of its best aspects. Exploring Willamette, Colorado during the holiday season as players use a bevy of Christmas-themed weapons and ornaments to beat down enemies elicits a lot of what made this series so special.

The lack of a timer may have disappointed many fans, but the game’s great combat loop and the return of a charismatic protagonist ensures that long-time fans will love what this title brings to the table. Players who want to check out a small yet dense open world that captures the spirit of the winter season will find the winter horror of Dead Rising 4 to be right up their alley.

2 Yakuza 5

Embodies The Christmas Spirit In A Game That Served As A Turning Point For The Yakuza Series

Yakuza 5 is one of the most important games in the series, experimenting with goofier side stories and over-the-top minigames that have become a series staple. While most Yakuza games take place around Christmas, most fans will agree that the fifth game makes the most of this festive season.

Dressing up as Santa and taking out punks or using a Snowman in a Heat Move makes this game so special. Despite being slightly rough around the edges, Yakuza 5‘s tantalizing storyline and immense charm help it stand out as one of the best games in the series.

1 Saints Row 4: How The Saints Saved Christmas

A Mission Pack Where Playa Rediscovers The Spirit Of Christmas In The Simulation

While this may technically be DLC, How the Saints Saved Christmas is a hilarious take on this festive season as Playa is encouraged to get into the Christmas spirit. It only consists of three missions but feels magical enough for players to enjoy the winter season with the psychopaths they’ve grown to love.

Trying to rescue Santa from the Steelport simulation makes for a hilarious time as Playa stops being so jaded and rediscovers the true spirit of Christmas. The bizarre story is perfectly in line with the chaotic spirit of Saints Row 4 and makes for a great addition to the overall package.