3 Games to Play During Winter

Winter is here, and it’s a perfect time to chill out, spend time with family, and most importantly, play a bunch of video games that the time off can afford you.

As a busy college student who is an avid gamer, finding the time to really immerse myself in and fully play through a video game is no easy task. However, winter break allows me the time to play through a few games, both new and old. But there are a few games in particular that I just love experiencing during this time of year.

MAFIA II

The early chapters of Mafia 2 take place during the winter, and they are absolutely stunning.

When Vito Scaletta first arrives in the game’s setting, Empire Bay, and you’re driving through the city at night with old-timey music playing as snow is falling down, it’s hard not to feel a sense of coziness. The icing on the cake is that you can hear “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” by Dean Martin while Vito is walking home.

Not to mention how convincing the snow itself actually is. It will pile up on top of vehicles and fall off as you drive. The way cars handle in snow is different from how they handle when it’s clear. It’s not just there for decoration.

Playing Mafia 2 is a great time regardless of when you play it, but it’s definitely worth experiencing this time of year.

ASSASSIN’S CREED III

Assassin’s Creed III is another great game to play during the winter, but I must admit, this one is mostly due to nostalgia.

This game was my introduction to what I now consider my favorite video game series of all time. I remember first getting it around this time of year when I was just ten years old and playing it almost religiously for the years following. There was something so cozy about playing this game in the warmth while the world outside was freezing cold.

Assassin’s Creed III somehow manages to give me that same feeling whenever I play it now, which is why I think it’s an ideal game to play during the winter season.

DEATH STRANDING

I played Death Stranding for the first time last year during winter break when I knew I would have the time, and I’m glad I did.

Death Stranding is one of those games that you either love, hate, or appreciate. Prior to playing, I was unsure which camp I would be in, as I knew very little about the game and was mostly unfamiliar with Hideo Kojima’s work. But in no time, Death Stranding proved itself to be an incredible experience.

Not only are the world and story that Kojima built extremely compelling, but its core gameplay loop managed to get its hooks in pretty quickly too. Traveling across the map and making deliveries is so satisfying, and I couldn’t get enough of it.

Death Stranding has become one of my favorite games, but it’s a game that I only want to revisit during this time of year.

CONCLUSION

While video games are meant to be enjoyed all the time, those were some games whose vibe I feel fits that of the winter season. But I also have games that I like to play during the other seasons too, so maybe I’ll write about those when the time comes. Until then, it’s time to bundle up, drink some hot cocoa, and game.