Although there are plenty of games that feature sunny environments and summer-themed levels, there are few games that take place in entirely summery environments, let alone explicitly in the summer. Games such as Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, for example, have brief periods of summer throughout.
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Some games, however, take place entirely in summer-like environments. Many of these examples explicitly take place in the summer, while games such as Dead Island take place on sunny tropical islands.
8 Dead Island
A Zombie Apocalypse On A Tropical Island
Dead Island
Dead Island takes place on a sunny tropical island amid an outbreak of vicious zombies. The game's bright, tropical environments will likely appeal to any players looking for a summer-themed game, though Dead Island isn't as explicitly summer-themed as other games.
Among Dead Island's tropical summer environments are stretches of sunny beach, plenty of palm trees, and abandoned urban areas. Although its narrative and enemy variety may be lacking, Dead Island's hack-and-slash combat and systems for weapon crafting make it worth playing, especially in online co-op.
7 Grand Theft Auto 5
A Summertime Sandbox
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
Grand Theft Auto 5 takes place in the sunny urban environments of Los Santos and Blaine County. The game features dense urban areas, deserts, and mountainous areas to explore. Although the game does feature a narrative to progress through, engaging in Grand Theft Auto's sandbox activities can be particularly rewarding.
Grand Theft Auto Online in particular is a standout experience that makes exploring Grand Theft Auto 5's sunny, open areas a bona fide joyride. Grand Theft Auto is far from a wholesome, cozy summer experience, but its focus on criminal activities and sandbox gameplay offers a consistent summer thrill.
6 Super Mario Sunshine
A Mario Adventure On A Sunny Island
Super Mario Sunshine
- Released
- August 26, 2002
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD
- Platform(s)
- GameCube
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
This tropical-themed 3D platformer is arguably one of the strangest and most unhinged Mario games Nintendo made, thanks in large part to the water pack that players are equipped with. This pack acts as Mario's toolkit throughout the game, allowing players to make use of water-themed powers.
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The sunny, tropical environments and watery platforming make Super Mario Sunshine an upbeat, light-hearted summer title. Although the game may be beginning to show its age, and is perhaps not as timeless as Mario 64, Sunshine is still an impressive and innovative summer-themed game worth playing.
5 Psychonauts
A Psychedelic Adventure At Summer Camp
Psychonauts
This action platformer takes place at a psychic summer camp and puts players in the shoes of a particularly gifted psychic named Raz. Despite taking place in a summer camp, Psychonauts isn't the most summery game.
Levels in Psychonauts are psychedelic, wacky experiences that take place inside the minds of troubled characters. Because of this, there's a distinct lack of summer environments. Regardless, Psychonauts remains a fun and action-packed platforming adventure.
4 SUMMERHOUSE
A Casual Summer Sandbox
- Platform(s): PC
- Released: 2024
- Developer(s): Friedemann
- Genre: Casual
This casual sandbox game fits into the same digital toy, cozy-game genre that games such as Townscraper fall into. In SUMMERHOUSE, players construct small buildings from a side-on perspective in a variety of sunny, summer settings.
Similar to games such as Townscraper, SUMMERHOUSE doesn't feature any goals. Instead, the game focuses solely on giving the player tools for creativity. This allows players to enjoy the game's relaxing summer atmosphere without worrying about winning or losing.
3 My Summer Car
Fixing Up Cars In A 90s Finnish Summer Setting
My Summer Car
- Released
- October 24, 2016
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Simulation
- Developer
- Amistech Games
As its title may suggest, My Summer Car tasks players with building and fine-tuning a car fit for a variety of Finnish summer shenanigans. My Summer Car takes a simulated approach to its gameplay, with a system for car assembly that features little to no hand-holding.
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My Summer Car also tasks players with earning cash through performing menial jobs, though this is just part of the game's fairly expansive sandbox. This free-form, sandbox gameplay allows players to enjoy the open areas of the 90s summer setting. My Summer Car also features an option for permanent death, which turns the game into an almost nail-biting game of survival.
2 Road 96
A Wild Road-Trip Through Summer, 1996
- Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
- Released: 2021
- Developer(s): Digixart
- Genre: Adventure
Set in the summer of 1996, Road 96 puts players in the shoes of several characters over the course of its run-time. Although Road 96 is a story-driven, narrative adventure game, there are plenty of activities to partake in throughout the trip.
However, the unique selling point of Road 96 is its random encounters and procedural generation. This ensures that each player carves their own unique path through the game's summer environments. Overall, Road 96 is an extremely unique narrative game that's perfect for fans of story-driven experiences, as seen in Telltale games, looking for something more interactive.
1 Firewatch
A Heartfelt Narrative Set In Summer, 1989
Firewatch
This tranquil narrative adventure puts players in the shoes of a fire lookout in the middle of the Wyoming wilderness. The game takes place during a particularly hot summer in 1989 and features a mystery that unfolds as players progress through the game's heartfelt narrative.
Firewatch's gameplay revolves mostly around walking in first-person, exploring the wild using a map, and having small interactions with the environment. The core of the game, however, is the handheld radio that the player uses to communicate with Delilah, who players frequently speak with over the course of the game. The emotional story, beautiful environments, and near-constant sunshine make Firewatch a short but sweet title that's perfect for summer.
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