Escape the Heatwave with These 5 Winter-Themed Indie Video Games

© Glenn Carstens-Peters/Unsplash

With the thermometer rising and an oppressive heatwave setting in, the lure of coolness is irresistible. Fortunately, the world of video games can offer us a saving escape to icy lands. From snowy expanses to completely frozen environments, discover these five independent titles immersing us in universes where winter transcends its role as a simple setting to become a gameplay element in its own right.

Frostpunk: hardcore management in the heart of a post-apocalyptic winter

Released in 2018, Frostpunkis a creation of 11 bit studios. Management/survival game, you will play the leader of a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world frozen by frost.

Your mission is to build and govern the ultimate city on earth, while facing extreme temperatures, diseases and resource shortages. The work focuses on difficult moral dilemmas, where each choice can have dramatic repercussions on your community.

If you are a fan of strategy games and are not afraid of suffering, Frostpunk is a must-play. Because, yes, you will fail and start over a certain number of times before understanding the entirety of the game's mechanics.

Very complete and enjoying a considerable lifespan , the game is available on PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One and MacOS. Regularly on sale on Steam, it is often possible to find it for less than 5 euros.

Subscribe to Lemon Squeezer

Subnautica: Below Zero: the great thrill of diving in icy waters

< p>Developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment and released in 2021, Subnautica: Below Zero is the sequel to the popular underwater exploration game Subnautica. This time, you will explore the planet 4546B, completely frozen.

Your survival will depend heavily on your ability to tame a very hostile marine environment, populated by strange creatures. Despite its age, the game is still splendid, very immersive and its story will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you suffer from thalassophobia, the experience can be as successful as it is traumatic; think carefully before you start.

Available on Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC and MacOS, you will also find it very regularly at a very attractive price on its Steam page.

This War of Mine: the conflict seen by civilians

Also from 11 bit studios, This War of Mine will immerse you in a survival/management experience inspired by the siege of Sarajevo which took place during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995.

Rather than playing on the side of the soldiers , you play as a group of civilians struggling to survive in a besieged city. Winter plays a major role, adding an extra dimension to the challenge as the mercury drops and resources dwindle.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

Here too, expect to suffer and face very difficult choices to ensure your survival, all in an extremely dark atmosphere. Despite its ten years, this title remains exceptional in every way. Available on PS5, Android and PC, here too the experience is clearly worth it. This War of Mine also benefits from fairly regular promotions on Steam.

Northguard: Viking conquest in cold lands

Created by Shiro Games, Northguard is a strategy game that puts you in the shoes of a Viking warlord. Released in 2017, its game mechanics are still very solid.

You will have to explore and colonize an unknown and perilous land. a business that the harsh Scandinavian winter will complicate. Limited resources, combat penalties, etc. Leading your people to victory will be no easy feat as rival clans and other mythological creatures put your management skills to the test.

Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and PlayStation 4, Northguard was a huge success and was highly praised by players upon its release.

The Long Dark: Solo Wilderness Survival

Hinterland Studio's Labor, The Long Dark, released in 2017, will also immerse you in a post-apocalyptic universe. Following a geomagnetic cataclysm, you will find yourself at the controls of a hapless pilot, forced to fight alone against the unleashed elements of a merciless nature.

The game takes place in first person in the remote regions of the Great Canadian North and its artistic direction is sublime, inviting you to perpetually explore.

Be careful, however, in this hostile environment, every decision is of capital importance. You will have to constantly watch over to satisfy its hunger, quench its thirst, maintain its body temperature and manage its fatigue, all while traveling the frozen landscapes in search of vital resources.

Available at a low price on Steam, it is also compatible with MacOs and playable on Playstation 4 and Switch. The experience is definitely worth the detour.

So you are spoiled for choice among these five games, all very affordable and very well made. All means are good to forget the heat, even virtual getaways. Another advantage: they do not consume a lot of resources, they will not heat up your console or your PC!

• In the middle of summer, remembering the coolness of winter thanks to a video game remains a completely possible option.
• These five games, all of independent studios, are real success stories of the video game industries.
• Their common point: winter and cold are elements central to the gameplay.

📍 To not miss any news from Presse-citron, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.