Ah, winter, the season during which it is time to slow down, to hibernate, to take it easy. It's a time when we might not feel as motivated to go outside, and the days are shorter and darker. What better way to spend that time working through your backlog of games, eh? Well, if you do have a backlog, please go through it by all means, but if you don't and you're looking for a grand, open-world to get lost in in these colder months, then keep reading.
There are a few games I recommend grabbing this winter. A few of these were on sale during Steam's winter sale, but keep an eye out for any additional sales post-holidays for these titles. They're not necessarily snowy or wintery games, but rather games that I believe are relevant right now or just fit the current vibes and trends. There are RPGs, survival games, and sandboxes in the mix, so you'll probably find something here that speaks to you.
Subnautica
With The Sequel Delayed, It's Time To Jump Back Into The First One
2025 had some bad news in store for Subnautica fans: Subnautica 2 was hit with delays. There's been other drama circulating around the franchise for some time now, with KRAFTON declaring itself to be an AI-first company, and the three founding members of the Subnautica games were fired.
All this is to say, the fate of the franchise hangs in the air, which is a big shame considering just how fun and addictive the first entry is. Even Below Zero has its advantages, though in my books it will never have the same magic as loading into the first game for the very first time. If you're still on the fence about jumping into Subnautica but are kind of intrigued by the open-world exploration and survival craft gameplay, just do it. Just be prepared for the fact that it's not just a cutesy cozy sandbox game. There are some really awful things lurking beneath the surface of the alien sea, and chances are, you'll come out of this game with a newly developed and diagnosed thalassophobia.
Fallout: New Vegas
The New Show Is Bringing More Love To The Franchise
Amazon's Fallout series is airing its second season right now, and even if you're not a Fallout fan, it's a really fantastic show to jump into if you're into any sort of sci-fi or post-apocalyptic entertainment. The Fallout series is also in a bit of a dead zone right now, with no real word from Bethesda about Fallout 5 and when we can expect to see something, but in the meantime, I highly recommend jumping into the best entry in the series, from Obsidian Entertainment: New Vegas.
Sure, it might be a bit old and it's showing its age, and you'll likely have to quick save often if you're playing it on Steam as crashes are bound to happen with an older game like this, but the level of roleplaying this game has and freedom in making just the type of Courier you want is so ahead of its time that it's easy to look past the aging graphics. Plus, the mods are excellent. If there's one place to start getting into the franchise, I would argue it's here if you don't mind playing an older game. Otherwise, Fallout 4 will be a nice introduction, too.
Where Winds Meet
The Hottest MMORPG Right Now
If you didn't already jump into the Where Winds Meet hypetrain back in November 2025, well, what are you waiting for? Try it now, it's free! It's easily one of the more unexpectedly impressive games we had in 2025, despite a bit of localization and UI jank, set in the 10th century of China. The visuals are absolutely beautiful, and it's the perfect open-world adventure game for players who really value character customization.
It also helps that the world is the perfect backdrop for aesthetically pleasing photos, and you can traverse it all Assassin's Creed style. Everywhere you go, there's something new to see and to experience, as the game is bursting with side quests. One could say there's almost too much of it. It is, after all, an MMORPG. That means tons of buildcrafting, combat, and yes, co-op gameplay with a sprinkling of PVP in the mix. I highly recommend jumping into this with friends to see what it's all about, but give it some time to cook, as a new MMORPG is always going to feel a little overwhelming at first.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Go-To Bethesda RPG For Winter Vibes
If you're the type of player who likes to choose their games based on seasonal themes, and winter is the time when you enjoy games with plenty of snow, then The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is just a must-play. A game that sits in the hall of fame of open-world RPGs, it has come a long way with multiple releases and continues to be a lot of people's favorite to return to. The main quest isn't its greatest offering, granted, but some of the DLC and side questing is so good that it, in my opinion, justifies jumping back into the game without relying on mods. In true RPG fashion, you build your character from the ground up.
Want to be a fierce Nord who smashes their enemies with a two-handed axe? You can do that. Want to sling spells at your enemies while a companion takes care of the melee combat? Totally possible. Or maybe you're the stealthy kind who would rather defeat their enemies before they even realize what's happening? Stealth archer is the way to go. And if you get exhausted with combat, don't worry, the game also lets you farm, fish, get married, and settle down in a house you either buy or build yourself. All this in a picturesque, northern open-world with multiple biomes ranging from snowy mountains to autumnal forests. Truly, it's the perfect winter RPG.
No Man's Sky
The Game Is The Best It's Ever Been
When it comes to games that turned it around big time, there are two examples that come to mind: Cyberpunk 2077 and No Man's Sky. Both games had downright disastrous releases that could have put a final nail in their coffins, but through hard work, they rose from their own ashes. No Man's Sky has expanded a lot since its release, and if you're one of those people who were disappointed by how shallow it was at launch, then this winter is the time to finally get back into it.
Whether you enjoy playing this as a chill, cozy game in creative mode and just exploring freely or as a grueling survival game where death is permanent, there's something for every kind of player here. All you need is curiosity as you travel from planet to planet, gather resources, build outposts and bases, and keep upgrading your gear. There are tasks and quests for you to complete, and of course, expeditions, which are a nice, challenging touch for those who might want something that isn't quite as open-ended. And that's really the charm in No Man's Sky: you decide what you want to do, and how you want to do it.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
