A biome is a region which has a specific climate, be it hot or cold, sandy or icy. They are different from locations with seasonal gameplay as the landscapes do not change; it does not need to be winter for a snow biome to be snowy, as it does not need to be summer for deserts to exist. Biomes can really enrich a game as the player gets to experience different,visually stunning environments, especially in open-world games.
While beaches, deserts, jungles, and forests all have their own appeal, snow biomes are often revered as one of the most beautiful, and are especially cozy to play at wintertime. From exquisite white mountains to freezing icy plains, these are some of thebest snow biomes in open-world games.
Death Strandingfollows Sam, a courier who has been re-recruited by the president to connect all the cities that remained after the titular cataclysm. Players must traverse barren and hostile land to transport the necessary components for a “Chiral Network” that will once again unite America.
Some of the most memorable locations inDeath Strandingare the mountains. While snow in a lot of games is peaceful and beautiful, inDeath Strandingit reinforces a cold, unforgiving bleakness that reflects the dire state of the world. But despite the pressing atmosphere, players are able to spark a little joy bysnowboarding back down the slopes.
7 Days to Dieis an open-world survival horror with a surprisingly diverse map. Players can travel through a range of biomes, including desert, forest, and wasteland. Each one comes with its own pros and cons as they offer different resources, animals, and zombie types.
The snow forest biome in7 Days to Dieis not only visually immersive, but also enhances the gameplay. While abundant with wood, the snow significantly hinders players' survival by requiringmore food consumptionto combat the cold. This, alongside tough enemies such as frozen lumberjacks and wolves, makes for an intense, atmospheric experience.
Horizon: Forbidden Westis a sequel toZero Dawn,and is often praised as the better of the two due to the improved mechanics and visuals. Players can fight, fly, and explore their way across post-apocalyptic America in an attempt to preserve what remains of the world.
On this journey, players can encounter the “Sheerside Mountains”, a cold mountain range to the northwest. These mountains are a stunning backdrop for the related Trials and collectibles (being home to multiple data points and a Black Box), offering some supremely scenic moments.
The Legend of Zeldais one of the most beloved Nintendo franchises, simultaneously being one of thebest-selling game series of all time. After the success ofBreath of the Wild,Nintendo continued to venture into the realm of open-world withTears of the Kingdom.
Players can traverse every corner of a diverse map, impressively with minimal loading screens, on a mission to find Zelda and save Hyrule. Hyrule has some wonderful snowy zones, notably Hebra - home to the snow-blanketed Rito Village, as well as an abundance of quests, shrines, and caves to investigate.
As a relatively slow-paced game, it is only fitting that the scenery inThe Witcher 3should be exquisite so that players can take in the beauty of the world between objectives. While a lot of the locations are snowless, from the bogs of Velen to the built-up city of Novigrad, Skellige embraces the weather.
A northern archipelago andmountainous region, it is no surprise that there is an abundance of chilly peaks to traverse. It is a truly relaxing experience to walk through the ranges as snow gently falls, especially when the sun is setting. Players should definitely take their time when exploring Skellige.
Assassin’s Creedis one of the open-world franchises that boasts an impressive number of games. One of the reasons that it has remained so popular is the ever-improving environmental designs andValhalla,the twelfth installment, is no exception.
Focusing on the Viking-age,Valhallaembroils the player in England and Norway’s political landscape amid the Brotherhood-Templar feud. Unfortunately, this involves a lot of bloodshed. Fortunately, it means players get to explore the stunning fjords and snowy mountains of Norway, maybe even witnessing the northern lights along the way.
Those who have playedRed Dead Redemption 2will be familiar with the long, laborious struggle through the snow at the beginning of the game before getting to the nitty-gritty gameplay; despite its beauty and iconic snow physics,RDR2establishes an aversion to snow very early on.
This being said, if players are willing to forgive this introduction, the snowy areas are well worth revisiting once players are left to their own devices. Ambarino is home to the Grizzlies, wherenumerouslegendary animalscan be found. It’s also very peaceful when willingly sought out, offering a stunning break from the daily dramas of the Wild West.
Ghost of Tsushimais set in the context of the Mongol’s first invasion of Japan, with the player taking on the role of samurai Jin Sakai to protect Tsushima Island. Developers took inspiration fromthe real Tsushima Island,Shadow of the Colossus, Zelda: Breath of the Wild,and samurai cinema, resulting in a stunning world with distinct biomes that are each uniquely beautiful.
To the north of the map is Kamiagata, a snow-covered region of chilly mountains and frosty forests. Although a stark contrast to the bright golds, reds, and greens of the rest of the map, Kamiagata marks the passing of time and Jin’s development with an artistic flourish.
One of the appeals ofSkyrimis the diverse landscapes and assortment of cities, each with its own histories that fuel the world-building of theElder Scrollsuniverse. Some of the most beautiful scenes in the game can be found in the snowy regions; Winterhold, Windhelm, and the Throat of the World to name a few.
These areas are not merely cosmetic, but are host to different ingredients and enemies that can’t be found elsewhere, from snow bears to ice wraiths. Many players will fondly remember their first encounter with a frost troll on the way to High Hrothgar. Very few games can compete with the beautiful snow-touched wild landscapes ofSkyrim.
Minecraftis the game that most will associate with the term “biome”. As a sandbox game, the biome is essential when determining where to build or explore; players looking to build elaborate treehouse might prefer to find a woodland biome, whereas players looking to reach the End might favor caves.
Jagged or frozen peaks and snowy plains are just a few of the colder regions inMinecraft.Despite the abundance of risks - namely lack of trees or food and hostile Strays - these biomes can be a visual delight. Snow settling on a base and polar bear visits make forsome truly cozy moments.
