10 Best RPGs You Need To Play This Winter

Winter is a great time to get lost in a long role-playing game, but some games feel more fitting than others. While RPGs set on beaches or in deserts can be fun, there’s something especially cozy about enjoying a warm drink while exploring a snowy, virtual world.

The best role-playing games for winter offer immersive experiences, but most importantly, they’re simply excellent games. Whether you enjoy the open-ended choices in games like those from Bethesda or the epic stories of classic Japanese RPGs, you’ll find plenty of fantastic adventures to keep you entertained until spring.

10. I Am Setsuna

While I am Setsuna is an older RPG from Square Enix, newer games like Octopath Traveler 2 have surpassed it in many ways, successfully recreating the magic of classic Square Enix titles. However, I am Setsuna stands out for its unique and complete dedication to a winter environment, making it a perfect fit for this selection.

Okay, so I am Setsuna definitely wears its heart on its sleeve – it’s super inspired by Chrono Trigger, which is awesome. But honestly, if you go in expecting Chrono Trigger levels of amazing, you might be disappointed. If you just play it as its own thing, though, it’s actually a pretty good RPG with some fun characters and ways to build your party. I enjoyed it once I stopped comparing it to the greats!

9. Yakuza 0

Before the series shifted to a turn-based combat system, many people didn’t consider the Yakuza games to be role-playing games. Their focus on fighting and realistic city environments didn’t fit the typical RPG mold. However, with so many stats to improve and a constant stream of interesting side quests, they’ve certainly become true RPGs.

If you’re new to the Yakuza series, Yakuza 0 is a great place to begin, and it’s set during Christmas! You can also enjoy a festive experience with Yakuza Kiwami, Kiwami 2, and Yakuza 5 around December. For a warmer experience, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Yakuza: Like a Dragon – The Man Who Erased His Legend (often referred to as Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii) offer sunny summer adventures.

8. Disco Elysium

Unlike many games with winter settings, Disco Elysium takes place towards the end of the season. Players follow detective Harry Du Bois as he investigates a complex case in the city of Revachol, where snow is still on the ground and everyone is dressed warmly against the chill.

If you enjoy games with intricate stories and meaningful choices, Disco Elysium is essential. Unlike most RPGs, it doesn’t feature traditional combat, but it offers a wealth of other engaging challenges. It’s consistently ranked among the best RPGs ever made, and for good reason.

7. Valkyria Chronicles 4

Similar to other games in the Valkyria Chronicles series, Valkyria Chronicles 4 has beautiful landscapes filled with fields and flowers. But it also includes snowy areas that are particularly well-done. The game really emphasizes the cold winter setting, with realistic snow effects and even visible breath from the characters.

The Valkyria Chronicles games are strategy-focused, but they also have strong RPG elements. You can jump right into Valkyria Chronicles 4 without playing the previous games. 1, 2, and 4 each tell separate stories that happen concurrently. There are a few references to earlier games, but you won’t be confused about what’s happening in the current story.

6. Parasite Eve

If you’re looking for a holiday-themed RPG but aren’t ready to dive into the whole Yakuza series, Parasite Eve is a great option. This Japanese RPG is set during Christmas and blends horror elements with RPG gameplay – think Resident Evil meets Final Fantasy.

While not a cheerful holiday story, Christmas is a clear setting for the game. It begins on Christmas Eve, and the main character, Aya Brea, has to swap her fashionable outfits for warmer gear as she explores snow-covered cities. The second game doesn’t focus much on the holidays, but the PSP title, The Third Birthday, brings the Christmas theme back.

5. Icewind Dale

While games like the Baldur’s Gate trilogy and Planescape: Torment are known for their strong role-playing and stories, Icewind Dale truly excels at creating a cold, wintry atmosphere. The game fully embraces the harsh environment of Icewind Dale, a D&D setting where the surroundings themselves are a major challenge.

There’s also Icewind Dale 2, but if you’re new to the series, it’s best to start with the original game. The sequel can be confusing to navigate – we’re talking about the actual game world, not how engaging it is – and might be frustrating if you haven’t played the first one.

4. Final Fantasy 7

Many Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) feature a snowy region, and there are plenty of great examples. I particularly love the snow-covered town of Flanoir in Tales of Symphonia, and Octopath Traveler also has some beautiful winter areas. Interestingly, even Final Fantasy 10, despite its tropical cover art, eventually takes you to a colder environment.

The Icicle Inn in Final Fantasy 7 is a cozy spot, but it’s the snowboarding minigame that really makes it special – it’s far better than similar areas in other JRPGs. Plus, Final Fantasy 7 is widely considered one of the best RPGs of all time, thanks to its moving story and its innovative approach to the genre.

3. Wasteland 3

Wasteland 2 was initially seen as a follow-up to the classic Fallout games, created by many of the same developers who made the original Wasteland and Fallout. As expected, it featured a desert setting reminiscent of classic Interplay titles. But Wasteland 3 takes a different approach, moving the action to a cold, post-apocalyptic Colorado.

Fortunately, Wasteland 3 keeps everything that makes the series great, even with its new setting. You’ll find engaging choices and challenging, strategic battles that will keep you hooked. While the other Wasteland games are also good, you can easily jump right into this one and enjoy the Colorado landscape.

2. The Banner Saga

While The Banner Saga might not have the most complex combat, its battles are well-done and that’s only part of what makes it special. The game truly shines in its difficult decisions, and it handles those better than most other games.

Though inspired by Viking legends and visuals, The Banner Saga creates its own unique take on a world facing destruction. Trying to keep your group of survivors alive and working together is incredibly challenging, and you’ll often face difficult choices with no easy answers. It’s best to play all three games in the series, as they really tell one continuous story.

1. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

If I had to pick the winter RPG, it’s gotta be Skyrim. It’s the fifth Elder Scrolls game, and it drops you into this super chilly land of the Nords. Seriously, wandering around those mountains, you can almost feel the cold! And the best part? The modding community is huge, so you can totally change the whole environment – like making the snow even more realistic and dynamic. It’s awesome.

Everyone knows Skyrim is a classic open-world game, and it’s especially enjoyable to play during the winter. There’s something really comforting about escaping the cold in-game by warming up in a cozy tavern or house. While Morrowind is a unique RPG for those interested in the stranger side of The Elder Scrolls, Skyrim is Bethesda’s best RPG to play on a chilly winter night.

2025-12-22 03:05