There are plenty of scenic settings one might find themselves put in when playing a video game. Enchanted forests, creepy caves, and dark gothic castles are all places that are a common sight in the video game universe.
One such locale you may find yourself in is the frozen tundras of the arctic. Whether it be far to the north or south of the earth, a fictional fantasy land, or another planet in the galaxy, plenty of icy wastes may call to adventurers of all types. Whether you’ve always wanted to explore the arctic or just want to cool off, here are some of the best arctic settings in gaming.
10 Deathloop
Blackreef is an island full of cultist wannabes and reckless scientists, all partying in a never-ending time loop. Even worse, Deathloop’s setting island is also pretty cold.
Icebergs in the near distance, snowmen dotting the streets, and icy water that will kill you in seconds; you’d think Colt would have dressed a little warmer seeing as he’s stuck on the island. Well, the good news is if you take an unfortunate dip in the arctic water, you’ll just revive at dawn on the next loop. It may not be the coldest there is, but it’s far from tropical.
9 Frostpunk
Surviving in the arctic is the entire point of Frostpunk. The earth has taken an unfortunate turn, and the arctic has expanded.
Being the leader of the last group of survivors on Earth, it is your job to tap into thermal springs and create a city. Well, as close to one as you can, anyway. The game and the setting are merciless. The cold is an ever-present threat, and it isn’t scared of threatening your city when you’re at your weakest. It is far from a comfortable foray into the arctic, but it will keep you entertained from start to finish.
8 Subnautica: Below Zero
The series of exploring deep sea depths is back with a frosty look at a new planet. 4546B is an interesting and icy new place to explore in Subnautica: Below Zero.
Here too are the classic fishy fiends and giant sea monsters, but now with an arctic twist. You’ll see things like Snow Sharks and Ice Worms alongside deadlier enemies like the dreaded Shadow Leviathan. You’ll need plenty of wits and resources to not freeze or get swallowed whole, but it is a beautiful view as well.
7 Lost Planet
Being in the middle of an ice age isn’t a fun experience. But, with Earth torn apart, there aren’t too many choices other than Lost Planet’s E.D.N. 3.
Thankfully, you have some cool technology that will make the planet a little more livable. Unthankfully, the planet is also swarming with deadly monsters called Akrids that don’t seem too keen on you terramorphing their planet. Balancing staying warm in the freezing environment and dodging giant monsters is worth it to call E.D.N 3 home.
6 Uncharted 2
Nathan Drake has seen plenty of amazing sights around the globe. In Uncharted 2, he enters his chilliest adventure, to be sure.
The Alps of Nepal, the third arctic pole, is named so for its long spans of icy tundra—the perfect place to be in a train dangling off a cliff. Nothing seems to go easy for Nathan Drake. Snow, mercenaries, and even some not-so-mythical yetis all await him in the Alps. Thankfully, he seems to have luck on his side.
5 Killzone
Vekta is a planet of extremes. Lush forests, expansive cityscapes, and of course, icy arctic biomes all exist on the planet’s surface. Unfortunately, those are all turned into war zones in the Killzone series.
Fighting the Helghast is no easy task. Their invasion takes place all across the planet, and even their bases on the geographical poles are well set up. You do have the weapons and equipment to fight back, though, so at least you aren’t left in the cold defenseless. Who knows, maybe you can even take the planet back?
4 Skyrim
Skyrim is a rather interesting change of scenery from the earlier Elder Scrolls games. Gone are the murky swamps and capital cities settled in among the plains.
The frozen coasts and snowcapped mountains are inhospitable to some, but the Nords have called it home for centuries. They may be accustomed to the cold, but Skyrim has plenty of holds full of adventurers and setters from all parts of the empire and beyond, even despite the rumors that dragons are appearing again. Maybe fighting a dragon will keep you warm?
3 Cryostasis
Survival horror games often use the environment as another form of hostility for the player to worry about. In Cryostasis, the arctic environment of the North Pole is the perfect setting to do just that.
Not everything is as it seems aboard the icebreaker North Wind. As your character quickly finds out. You aren’t exactly what you seem either, though, with the ability to enter people’s minds and alter their memories. It’s a fun and exciting way to get in and out of combat and one you’ll need to survive the icy holds of the ship.
2 The Long Dark
One of the more popular entries into the genre lovingly referred to as a walking sim, The Long Dark throws you drastically onto a northern Canadian island after apparently the end of the world.
It’s a beautiful game, and you’ll have plenty of time to marvel at the great art style that renders the frozen lakes and wide-open forests as you trek through the snow. There are plenty of moral choices to make as you run into animals and people altered by the geomagnetic storm. The beauty of the snow is at odds with the looming threat of freezing, starvation, and angry wolves.
1 Destiny 2
In Destiny 2, a guardian must be ready to travel to the far reaches of the solar system at the drop of a hat.
One such place you may return to more often than others is the snowy outposts of Europa. One of Jupiter’s moons, it isn’t for the faint of heart even before the alien Vex decided to take it over. Being a guardian, the cold doesn’t seem to bother you much. Whether it’s the warmth of The Traveler’s light or just the might of your own strength, it lets you explore the snowdrifts with relative ease.