Lots of games are about the end of the world, usually either an attempt to prevent it or surviving after it. And while many involve destruction through freakishly bad weather, there is something about snowbound apocalypses that carries a terrifying inevitability about it. Robots attempting revolution, that’s something that can be fought. The weather, however, goes far beyond human control. Punching a nearby snowman is probably as close to retribution as one can get.
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Despite that, there is also a mesmerizing beauty to a world overtaken by snow. Perhaps because it bears with it the suggestion of a natural apocalypse - though somewhat otherworldy in appearance - a reclaiming of the world by planetary forces humanity could never hope to contend with. A few make it part of the plot, others a central component to the gameplay and some just use it as a stylish backdrop but nonetheless, they all make great use of the winter apocalypse trope.
6 Fahrenheit/ The Indigo Prophecy
A Winter-Bound Mystery With A Great Setup
Fahrenheit Indigo Prophecy
- Released
- September 20, 2005
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Language, Nudity, Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Quantic Dream
- Publisher(s)
- Atari
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
A game with an incredibly intriguing opening, a murder is committed by one of the player characters, then the player returns to the scene of the crime as the investigating officer. All of which takes place in a little New York diner against the stark backdrop of a black winter's night and a fearsome snowstorm.
Generally, the game does not stick the landing of the tone it sets within the introduction. For instance, the dropped hints of the unusual ferocity and nonstop nature of the snowstorm are a lot more ominous and atmospheric than the actual reasons behind it.
5 Frostpunk
A Grim But Addicting City Survival Sim
Frostpunk
- Released
- April 24, 2018
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Mild Sexual Themes, Mild Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- 11 Bit Studios
- Publisher(s)
- 11 Bit Studios
- Engine
- Liquid Engine
- Franchise
- Frostpunk
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- City Builder, Survival
- How Long To Beat
- 11 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- No
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- File Size Xbox Series
- 5 GB (December 2023)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Frostpunk actually takes place in an alternate-history post-apocalypse world where a worldwide volcanic winter has caused the collapse of civillisation. Frostpunk takes a grimly realistic approach to its icy end-of-times scenario as the player acts as the leader of one of the few remaining settlements and must make constant choices as to how to keep the city surviving against the endless tundra.
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It's not a game about trumping another civilization or besting anyone in a war for dominance over the remains of the world. Just pure survival using whatever scraps are left. Some choices may lead to better outcomes than others but none lead to any kind of happy ending or good outcomes.
4 God Of War: Ragnarök
World Ending Winter Punch Up
God of War Ragnarok
- Released
- November 9, 2022
- ESRB
- M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Franchise
- God of War
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The classic mythological snowbound apocalypse. The ending of the prior God Of War, with the first snowfall after the death of Baldur, was the perfect tease of what was to come. The sequel, picking up several years into Ragnarök and depicting a completely frozen over Midgard, with the two cultures respective Gods of War coming to blows, was a great start.
Setting up as it meant to go on by bringing all the major players of Norse mythology within stabbing range for a world-ending brawl. It is a game that clearly revels it its setting with plenty of mythological cameos and constantly teasing the players with the Avengers-like build-up of heroes and villains for the grand finale.
3 Dark Souls 2 - Crown Of The Ivory King DLC
Not Just Another Winter's Tale
Dark Souls 2
- Released
- March 11, 2014
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
- Engine
- havok
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Dark Souls
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
For many, the expansions that followed the main game of Dark Souls 2 were the highlights of the adventure. The Crown of the Ivory King is a particular standout experience. Exploring Frozen Eleum Loyce is both haunting and awe-inspiring, full of unique ideas and enemies. Thawing out Eleum Loyce and gradually discovering the story behind what pulled the snowy sheets over the land and laid it all to rest feels like medieval archeology.
It is also home to one of the best bosses and setpieces Dark Souls 2 has to offer, the Burnt Ivory King himself. There are even evil reindeer and that's just something that's not available anywhere else.
2 Dead Space 3
Investigate A Cold Dead Planet, Then Blow It To Bits
Dead Space 3
- Released
- February 5, 2013
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Visceral Games
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Hydraulic Engines
- Multiplayer
- Local Co-Op, Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Dead Space
- Number of Players
- 2
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Horror
- How Long To Beat
- 12 Hours
The The Thing inspired Winter Planet setting was one of the few right moves made by Dead Space 3. It creates a great atmosphere with fantastic looking snowy vistas where ear-popping winds blow and contrasts them with the eerily quiet interiors of abandoned buildings and the husks of ships. In fact, the setting and weather effects are so good, the game might have been better if it was just left at that.
Sadly, it's the overuse of enemies and the eventual descent into more of an action/shooter game than survival horror that starts to detract from this atmosphere. Most monsters were in the previous games and the new Necromorphs are boring and there are just so many that the player will quickly become desensitized.
1 Max Payne
This Winter, One Man Ends It All
Max Payne
- Released
- July 23, 2001
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Gathering of Developers
- Engine
- MaxFX
- Franchise
- Max Payne
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS2, Xbox (Original), Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Android, iOS
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
While there is no actual apocalypse taking place, the original Max Payne is full of references to the mythical Ragnarök. From the endless snowstorm, the early death of Alex Balder, (Max Paynes partner), and the names of many characters, corporations and locations, such as project Valhalla and the Ragna Rock club, all take from Nordic mythology.
It is the perpetual snow, however, that is particularly memorable, the defining aesthetic of the first game and the ever-present detail that makes it believable that after all the gunfire and death Max brings with him, the end may well be about to follow.