If you guys like snowy video game music, check out this 2 hour playlist I put together in tandem with this video over on my second channel - ruclips.net/video/BMFSrBStxZg/видео.html
The beginning of Mafia 2, Vito going back home to his family, walking through the Christmas town, people talking to him, everything seems so dynamic and calm. It is such a pleasant atmosphere.
I instantly harken back to Red Dead Redemption 2. Not the opening. Later when the world opens up, going back up north to tame the game's only white Arabian horse. The horse gets away from me multiple times as I chase it through the snowy fields. I remember walking through tree brush and the snow falling off as I did. I've never felt more immersed in a gaming world
Very interesting video, mate! But the fact you didn't mention 'Assassin's Creed III' feels like a CRIME! That game has one of the best snow mechanics ever! When Connor walks through deep snow, he behaves very realistically - he struggles to go through the snow, he occasionally stumbles, and the sound of his feet compressing the snow is immaculate! Furthermore, the snow gets deformed in a natural way, and you can see the footprints of other NPCs, and even animals. You can even track the rabbits or deer by following their footprints! ACIII came out in 2012 and the snow physics was so good, that some of the developers who worked on it went on to work on Red Dead Redemption 2. It has one of the best snow physics to this day!
Agreed, AC3 was probably the first game with "next-gen" snow. Where it deformed and affected physics and movement and game design. I never wanted to leave the frontier in that game.
I just wanted to say that I really appreciate the way you insist how music is fundamentally important in the way we feel about a videogame. A lot of people just ignore this core element. I'm completely certain that a lot of the games we remember fondly are remembered that way BECAUSE of the music.
Something I have always enjoyed about winter is that I do not feel guilty for being inside and playing video games. I love when its cold and dark outside and I am inside, under a blanket and exploring worlds inside of video games. It is such an amazing feeling
First place my mind goes when thinking of snow areas is Undertale's Snowdin. Toby Fox has a way with music, and that entire post-intro area has a godly soundtrack
I think a lot of the Winter Biome allure is that it represents a technical challenge rather than a "learning" challenge. There's generally one or two things to learn, ice physics or unique barriers, but generally the Ice Level comes about midway through when you've gotten used to the game and now it can start to challenge you. This is a point of investment into a game where you really start to connect with it.
I've often seen snow as cozy and time to just sit inside and relax because you probably aren't doing anything outside. Now that I drive 40 minutes to work, snow has become the biggest danger to my life. I still love the days I'm off and can sit inside and play games during a big storm, but on days I have to drive through it, it ruins my entire day. My enjoyment of snow is completely dependent on the day it falls.
Same, with the difference being, I'm a driver. I have to be in snow. Hell, considering my job is garbage man, snow days mean I get to make that/those day(s) up on the weekend. No more hoping for a cheeky day off!
As a Brazilian, I've never seen snow in my life, so Ocarina of time, having been my first game I've ever played, together with Mario64 and Banjo left a very potent mark on what snow and ice represents to me. The first thing that comes to mind when the word snow shows up is the Ice cavern in OOT; snowman's land in M64 and who could forget that banger of a tune from Freezeezy Peak in Banjo! I still have this dream of seeing snow! I know for those who live in snowy places it's not that glamorous, but I can still dream!
As someone who lives in the southern hemisphere, my whole life I've seen snow associated with the holidays, a time where I'm usually sweating my balls off... it's an interesting juxtaposition. I think that's why I prefer to see ice and snow as a hazard rather than a cozy setting.
The snow in Assassin's Creed 3 to this day still amazes me. I remember running through it as Haythem and watching him trudge and high step a path out of it and struggle to push his way forward. What an awesome memory you've brought back for me. Thank you.
I live in a very dry and hot region, and I have never personally seen snow in my entire life. I'm a sucker for snow settings in videogames. Needles to say I've spent dozens of hours hunting in the mountains in RDR 2 ❤ Also, Norway in Ass Creed Valhalla with that Jesper Kyd music is just 👌
Had reasonable strong winters in my youth, (Netherlands from 1984), but these days, the best chance on a short snow storm is in middle of April Atleast until a few weeks ago, with some wet snow that leave behind a small hint. But then again, according to some scientist, we might see a return to harsher winters over 3-5 year, gradually becoming more stronger.
@@Pretender6 Same here in the UK but probably to a lesser degree. It used to snow most years and for at least a good few weeks but now it lasts a day or two if it even snows at all.
Sometimes these magical moments do indeed happen, until your car gets stuck, then the snow loses it's magic haha. For people who have to deal with it, snow can sometimes feel like a pest, and I think games don't do that justice. Snow make everything you do more difficult.
I live in Canada and I'd never give up snow. I moved from Alberta (BIG snow and mostly dry heat/cold) to British Columbia (not much snow if any but 500% humidity) and besides the random thunderstorms because for some reason BC doesn't get many I don't miss anything besides the -40C weather and the 4 feet of snow overnight. Could never imagine living somewhere that's hot 24/7. Dad is a trucker and the worst place I've ever gone with him was Phoenix Arizona, literally 45+C our shoes were sticking to the pavement from the heat I have no idea how anyone lives there I wanted to die the second I left the AC
Winter in Stardew is just wonderful. As a farmer who never really bothers with sprinklers because I prefer the tactile aspect of personally raising my plants instead of automating them, Winter feels like a real break for me. I get a month to just... exist in the world, with no real responsibilities beyond feeding the chickens in the morning and finding the perfect Christmas gifts for my roommate Krobus and my secret santa recipient. It's just such a vibe to do a bit of early morning fishing with Willie down by the docks, perhaps drop in on the old folks to make sure they're okay, spending days decorating my house for the holiday season with the money I've acquired through the year and finally stopping off at the tavern every night to bask in that warm cozy atmosphere surrounded by friends. I love it.
The title reminds me of Red Dead Redemption 2, the intro. I’m from Latin America and I had recently immigrated to Canada, so when my first time seeing snow in person happened I was amazed. It was something completely new, it’s hard to convey how mind blowing every little detail about the snow was. It was almost overwhelming, I was in my 30s learning how to navigate in a completely new environment. A few months later, Red Dead Redemption 2 intro was recreating that feeling, and I could feel and enjoy every little detail they put into the game. I don’t care the section was slow, I’ll cherish it forever.
When ya said snow, first thing that popped into my head was The Long Dark. The ambiance in that game is so good. The same sounds and visuals can be either cozy or oppressive depending entirely on how prepared you are.
The Long Dark really is one of the most atmospheric survival games ever made. It's very unfortunate how the developers missed the opportunity to build on the core gameplay idea. Quality of life improvements and additional gameplay mechanics could've increase the replayability value over the time and kept the game relevant for years to come.
One of my favourite memories for snow in games, isn't from a video game, it's from a D&D campaign, my party and I were way up in the north, as we were hunting a Behir, and one of the funnest moment we had, was getting down from a Mountain, my character pulled out his ridiculously large greatsword, and succesfully snowboarded(snowsworded?) down the mountain.
11:00-11:45 i think snowy theme like this, has a feeling between calm, cozy, and sad. Idk why, i dont feel so good, feel so cold, and so comfy that i feel so sleepy after hearing this. Like, be alone in cold igloo with no fire to warm you up. Thats how i feel about snowy theme, how about you guys?
A game that made me fall in love with in game snow was Assassin's Creed 3. It pretty much is for the reasons you listed, I was 14 years old, and during the winter break, I spent 3 days at my best friend's place, and that was around New Year's. We booted up AC3, played through the intro, and then there it was - a time jump, it's winter time, and it's not just a different coloured ground, its real deep snow that slows you down when you go through it, while outside our window the snow was falling like it's the end times. It was such a special time and it still is one of my favourite games of all times.
The snowy areas of Maplestory will always hold a special place in my heart. The soundtracks that play as you start in El Nath and work your way towards Zakum are great, as is the level and monster design. Happyville also brings a deep feeling of nostalgia that no other winter holiday song or movie ever could.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla has its intro in the snowy mountain region.Out of North by Jesper Kyd is my favourite snow track. The first time this background score started playing I was climbing a mountain to synchronize viewpoint. I was mesmerized by the graphics and this soundtrack. Assassin's Creed Valhalla has some of my favourite video game soundtrack of all time. Leaving Valhalla, The first Departure, Bifrost are some of them.
3:00 when i saw the title, i immediatly thought back to the earlier days of helldivers 2. back then, snow and mud uses to stick to your armor in the game but it sadly broke and hasnt been fixed since
love how you talked about music, would love to see a video of you just talking about music in games. my own thought that makes music sound snowy is persistent layers, like the strings ostinato in skyrim's tundra theme, slightly symbolizing wind. makes things sound colder. its all about layering baby, got a layer for wind, got a layer for ice, got a layer for water, and all of those layers mixed together creates the mental image of snow and cold.
Definitely the first time going through the northern regions of skyrim, that first blizzard and rushing wind when approaching the ancient ruins nestled in the snowy mountains...that was a magical moment.
For me when I think of snow in video games I think of Valak Mountain in Xenoblade Chronicles, a snow-covered mountain that you have to pass through as you go throughout the story. The cold, foggy scenery really sets the mood as you traverse it, and then night time hits. The icy crystals that dot the landscape light up as aether releases from them, painting the would-be pitch black night time mountain in a beautiful, warm yellow light as the music changes to one of my favorite songs in the entirety of video games: Snowy Valak Mountain - Night. For me, nothing sums up all of the wonderful elements of a snowy region in a video game like Valak Mountain does. The scenery, the mechanics (both gameplay and weather), the music, the mood, and the beauty of all of it. Whether they're a region that's a struggle to survive in, a frustrating challenge of ice and and cold, or simply a comfortable set dressing for a game level or area, I love snow in video games.
I think when I think of snow in video games I think of Journey. How the ending gets harder and harder, how the traveller gets more and more frozen and walks slower and slower, before they burst out up onto the top of the mountain, and get to fly joyfully amongst the flurries. And at the very end, if you have a friend, you can walk around, drawing hearts and letters in the snow to say goodbye before you walk together into the light and finish the game together.
Waking up during winter break as a kid and hopping on Runescape will forever be a memory that I will cherish. All of your friends online, the whole world of Gielnor, covered in snow, holiday events in-game, unique items, and not to mention: SNOWBALLS.
1:58 to answer your question. In Timesplitters 2 you are instantly hit with Siberia. The music is just amazing at setting up the atmosphere of the level. The snow adds a certain eerieness to the area with a slight fog. Possibly even hinting at what's to come.
Thanks for the shout-out for The Long Dark, one of my favorite of all games. Recommend people watch Jacob Geller's video "Fear of Cold" which discusses TLD and Frost Punk further. And TLD is due to get its final updates to both Story and Survival modes in the next couple months, the player base is pretty hyped for it now.
Twilight Princess has two of my favorite snow songs. The snowboarding minigame hits like the old school snowboarding games for ps1, and the song that plays while you're walking around on the mountain sounds desolate and lonely. Both great ends of the spectrum
Thinking back to the childhood section of Fable 2, the snow was anything but cozy and fun. That whole segment felt frigid and oppressive, which makes sense considering you were a starving street child in the poorest part of Brownstone, but even seeing the castle in the snow gave it a haunted, unwelcoming feeling that set up the climax of that scene.
Speaking of snow in MMOs, FFXIV has a few snowy zones, but the one that stands out to me is Coerthas Western Highlands. The vibes are impeccable. If you have a moment, give both the day theme (Against the Wind) and the night theme (Black and White) a listen, they are beautiful and somber and absolutely frigid-feeling.
Snowy mountain in Jak and Daxter is so incredibly memorable because of its perfect placement in the progression of the game. Going directly from the heart of a volcano, surrounded by dark spider filled cave systems and deep red lava pools, taking the gondola up, and emerge at the top of a mountain covered in blinding white snow and bright blue skies is such an incredible feeing.
Man I have to say, you are easily one of my favorite video game creators on the platform. So much of the time, when creators make videos breaking down video game themes and mechanics, there is an air of pretentious ego involved, like they are some sort of expert or connoisseur on the subject. These kind of people feel like if I said I enjoyed a certain game, I’d be judged for it if it isn’t a conventionally popular title (like Starfield for example). But somehow your videos have a sense of genuine passion and just positivity for video games and the art and hobby of it. Thanks for being you man, and I love the content!
The snowy village of wolf people in Okami, that was the first thing to come to mind when I clicked, that game is just special and that specific area just hits different. Though BOTW and Skyrim also have some of the most enjoyable snowy area for me as well. I hope all of these environment/element videos get their own encyclopedia
As someone who has lived in the South most of my life snow in video games was really the only time I never got to experience that wintery charm outside of the rare few snowstorms. Will always have a place in my heart for those vibes. Thanks for the video ghost.
I live in North Alabama. We get a GOOD snow on average, about once every 2 years, if that. When it happens, the world just stops and slows down for a day or two, and just walking around seeing your neighborhood engulfed in the white snow is always SO magical. THAT'S why snow levels in video games are always my favorite. It's such a rare, magical experience in real life, so the usually one area in a video game that has snow creates a rare, magical experience for me.
As someone who lives in a country where snow is not that common (and even less every year), I love snow in games. It just makes my heart feel warm somehow. But oh boy, Skyrim's soundtrack is something else. It's a mix of real nostalgia and absolute beauty, it almost makes me cry whenever I hear certain songs, especially Secunda and Tundra.
i'm australian so i don't have snow for christmas, but i just arrived in canada today and i'm spending the season with family. nice to finally share in the nostalgia i've only ever felt through movies and video games. :)
The snow level I loved most as a kid is the Hamalayi mountains section in LBA1. The sound of snow crunching under Twinsen's feet was ear candy and so immersive. Then, later, Glacern town from Dungeon Siege 1.
I always think of The Long Dark, Pokémon Generations 4 and 5, Little Inferno, Arkham Origins, MGS, and Skyrim when I think of snow in video games. Was so happy to see TLD and Arkham Origins in the video. Both are so underrated.
My first notable experience with snow in a video game. Where I actually noticed it and thought “woah”. Was the opening the Rise of the Tomb Raider. The mountain top view and the interactive snow with the main character was incredible.
I genuinely enjoy your use of "we" in place of "I." "We will cover that in a future video, We will discuss that...." It makes me feel less like I'm in a snow-in-videogames lecture and more so sitting around a campfire discussing what we'll talk about the next time were together. Its something so minor but makes the commentary more attractive and stands out.
Okay so the first thing that came to mind when i saw the tile was Assassin's Creed III. I remember how realistic it looked at the time and how the walking/running animation changed if you got into deep snow, for some reason that memory stuck with me.
Snow for me has always represented self reliance and a place to enjoy the tranquility of being alone. I always felt some sort of peace from most winter levels. As a kid growing up in the arctic (above 60°N) winters were extreme at times but that feeling of being as in-the-middle-of-nowhere as possible, there was a weird sort of peace to that. I used to walk across a frozen lake to get to school sometimes with video game winter themes playing on my phone (midi ringtones 😂) and it was a surreal experience. I don't live there anymore but i still can't get enough of taking a good long walk in a blizzard, watching the wind whip the snow past the street lights.
First thing I thought of is the original snow music from terraria (now the underground ice). Built my OG home in a snow biome so many memories with chillin with the homies there or building up the base. Nothing will beat that for me, especially the holiday sounding undertones, somewhat mysterious yet wonder sounding chords, and the 8 bit tunes that literally sound liek falling snowflakes. Love that shit
My favourite snowy area in any game is the Warlord’s Ruin dungeon in Destiny 2. Ascending a jagged mountain in (presumably) Kazakhstan with an elaborate medieval fortress built into the peak, to battle the undead avatar of a long-dead Wish Dragon remains one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in a game, especially when I got good enough to solo it without dying once
Its the moment that defined a core part of me the love of snow and winter and the cold, metroid prime that first time you walk out into Phendrana drifts
If you have a wishlist going for Ghostchill, I've always wanted someone to do a round-up of great Safe Room music. Would love to hear someone muse about what makes it communicate "safety", much like how GC talks about what makes it "snowy" or "wintry".
Snow story time. Not exactly a snow story in a game... but gaming with snow outside IRL. One of my earliest memories is when i played Zelda: OoT on the N64 right before we sat down for Thanksgiving on the living room TV. I grew up in my grandparents house, my dad lost the house to my mom but got me. I remember grandma calling me over to the table. Both my grandparents are dead now. I miss them very much. I always imagined Heaven being something like an eternal Thanksgiving dinner with my loved ones, maybe not turkey forever but with the people.
Snow in video games is always going to bring lost planet to the front of my mind. 1 and 2 was so insanely fun playing growing up, and the whole theme of being on these planets trying to harvest energy that you also have to use to keep yourself warm is cool. I don't remember which game it was, but it really just hit different when you spent the first levels in a snowy wasteland and then suddenly you arrive at this lush jungle briming with life and warmth, that's just not a feeling you get from a lot of games, even games with big snow levels.
Jak and Daxter, The Precursor Legacy has a great soundtrack overall. Every song is a banger. But yea, the snow theme is very obviously a snowy level song. That's the first one that popped into my head.
The first thing that came to my mind is the snow level in Titan Quest. I find it very cozy, especially when night falls in the game. I grew up with that game, and it's kind of a hidden gem. I recommend everyone give it a shot.
For me it was the opening of the Tomb Raider Reboot (which ever one of the three games opened on that mountain ridge). It was my first time seeing snow that deforms and glitters in a video game. It was so damn awesome!
When I saw the title of the video, my mind went to Skyrim loaded up with survival mods like Frostfall. Skyrim, and a lot of the Elder Scrolls games, was always pretty good at creating atmosphere. Having a survival mod to really drive home that the cold north do indeed be cold really sends it to the next level when you're exploring the windswept mountains and tundras of Skyrim.
My first thought was about Fahrenheit - The Indigo prophecy. The cold and snow is basically carrying the whole atmosphere. I remember playing this in my warm, comfy room back then and feeling cold by proxy.
A mod dropped today for RDR2 called Snow which changed the weather to winter, changes some tree textures and even adds some snowmen. It really hits the spot for this time of year.
I knew exactly what you were talking about when you started explaining the ice mission in MW2, never knew the name of the game, only saw my step-dad playing it as a child. I could also recognize Skyrim's Tundra, goes to show how iconic that track is
One really neat addon for snow I saw recently made is called Simple Snow. It's a thing made for Unreal engine made by a youtuber and it genuinely looks so good. I highly recommend looking it up. I also love seeing snow in video games and it's just one pleasure of mine. I especially love it with minecraft with shaders that make it feel like a nice snowy and calm night. Other games I especially love snow in is RDR2, Pokemon DPPt, Dragon Quest 11, Sonic Mania and Adventure 1, Kingdom Hearts 3, and Forza Horizon 4 Winter
I’m going to be honest, I’m that exact type of person who actually doesn’t really like snow areas in games all that much. Usually while playing a game I don’t like the music much either. But the way your video was presented kinda warmed me up to it a bit. I DO actually really like Skyrim’s tundra area music. I really DO love the Winter soundtrack in Stardew Valley. While I don’t appreciate the gimmicks in snow levels, I think I’ve been lying to myself about the music lol. I would love if you did a whole video, like this one, about games that have great music. You and I seem to share a similar appreciation for that stuff. Even though I’m not a snow level guy I loved the video. Great as always, Ghost!
Aside from Skyrim, I think the most memorable snow and ice related moment in a game has to be from Dark Souls 3. Leaving the Catacombs of Carthus right after defeating High King Wolnir only to receive an absolutely jawdropping view of Irithyll of the Boreal Valley still sticks in my mind to this day.
One thing that comes to mind, when thinking about snow, are all the maps from Monster Hunter. Especially the starting area of Freedom Unite(?) felt always very mysterious.
Snowrunner deserves a mention here too. Its snow maps like Alaska, Kola Peninsula and Amur (and an upcoming new map) really nail the winter ambience, along with the ambient music
My first association was immediately Metro Exodus, as I've just finished it tonight. However, when I think of my favourite snow ambiance in video games, it's a tie between Icewind Dale and the final chapter of Serious Sam: The Second Encounter. Just impeccable vibes all around!
First game I thought of was DayZ and it's new winter map, Sakhal. Prolly just recency effect. But surviving on a frigid, forested volcanic island hits different than the previous regions. Fishing the icy waters with chunks of sea ice and black sand beaches, avoiding snow encrusted hills lest you be easily spotted from a distance, listening for snow crunch footsteps, rushing inside to make a fire in a blizzard bc it soaked your clothes, just to get shot in the head through a window by some a*hole outside in a t-shirt.. It's very relaxing. and I'm glad the guy saved himself a few hours of scavenging. It took me a while to find that duct tape.
While i have experienced so many awsome uses of snow in games, and Mario 64 was a landmark, my all time favourite use of snow which I mmediately thought of when i saw this vid is Banjo Kazooie's Freeze easy peak. Thatlevel has snow, Christmas thenes and just a whole coxy feeling that i will always love.
I was hoping for a mention of Snowrunner It's quite something to get stuck in the deep Alaskan wilderness, or explore the white hell of Amur TheHunter: Call of the Wild has some incredible winter vibes as well, the Alaska map shifts between clear and snowy and is stunning every moment of it
I think about Vintage Story. No game captures both sides of snow as well as that game. From inside your home its cozy, you feel safe and comfortable. But the moment you step outside, the wolves fur is white, and they're hungry. Even with warm clothes youre on a timer, youre slower and weaker, your crops are dead and if you havent stockpiled you are staring death in the face forced to go out and hunt for barely enough food to last. If things are good, snow is such a vibe. Otherwise its harsh, dangerous, and subtle.
My immediate thought was - The excitement when you see snow in a game and want to see if and how you leave tracks! Nothing more disappointing than snow you can't *interact* with even just passively.
Similarly to The Long Dark, if you worked/fought/scrapped by to make it to winter in Project Zomboid but didn’t train your stats or loot enough food, you’ll be set up for a cold cold death by starvation if the zombies don’t get you first. The wind and snow during winter in that game is so gorgeous for anyone skilled enough to make it there. 💪😩
Just before my Brockie and the Niners go off to play in a snow globe in Buffalo, also first good bit of snow we've got here in Wisco, video feels so perfectly timed
If you guys like snowy video game music, check out this 2 hour playlist I put together in tandem with this video over on my second channel - ruclips.net/video/BMFSrBStxZg/видео.html
Hundreds of villain's and heros and we get sNoW
@@thomasshirley318 how tf can you complain about getting a fresh ghost charm vid
Oh hell yeah!
thanks for this :)
The first time snow really blew me away in a video game was Tenchu: Stealth Assassins - Mission 5.
The music & atmosphere are amazing.
The beginning of Mafia 2, Vito going back home to his family, walking through the Christmas town, people talking to him, everything seems so dynamic and calm. It is such a pleasant atmosphere.
I instantly harken back to Red Dead Redemption 2. Not the opening. Later when the world opens up, going back up north to tame the game's only white Arabian horse. The horse gets away from me multiple times as I chase it through the snowy fields. I remember walking through tree brush and the snow falling off as I did. I've never felt more immersed in a gaming world
This is exactly the first memory that came to me when I saw the title of the video
Yes having to put on the blue winter coat the one time you go back there.
oh yes the frustration of the horse bucking you off when i first tried to sat on it
Just got the white Arabian 10 Minutes ago lol
YES BRO, REAL RDR2 PLAYERS GET THAT GOATED HORSE
Very interesting video, mate! But the fact you didn't mention 'Assassin's Creed III' feels like a CRIME! That game has one of the best snow mechanics ever! When Connor walks through deep snow, he behaves very realistically - he struggles to go through the snow, he occasionally stumbles, and the sound of his feet compressing the snow is immaculate! Furthermore, the snow gets deformed in a natural way, and you can see the footprints of other NPCs, and even animals. You can even track the rabbits or deer by following their footprints!
ACIII came out in 2012 and the snow physics was so good, that some of the developers who worked on it went on to work on Red Dead Redemption 2. It has one of the best snow physics to this day!
Agreed, AC3 was probably the first game with "next-gen" snow. Where it deformed and affected physics and movement and game design. I never wanted to leave the frontier in that game.
Well said
ACIII was so underrated, same with Unity. They didn't get as much love as IV and Odyssey but they were my favorites over even II and Brotherhood.
Thank you, I was just going to say this!
I’ll check that part of the game play through out!! I like crunchy snow ASMR in games!
Snow in Adventure Games: 😊
Snow in platformers: 💀
Powder snow in Minecraft: ⚰
Snow in Sonic Adventure: 🤔
Snow in Minecraft: 🤮
Ya..that’s what the video said we know.
Ice* especially splelunky
I just wanted to say that I really appreciate the way you insist how music is fundamentally important in the way we feel about a videogame. A lot of people just ignore this core element.
I'm completely certain that a lot of the games we remember fondly are remembered that way BECAUSE of the music.
My friend is always asking how I know so many good soundtracks and I'm just like "dog, you play most of your games with Spotify over it."
Goes for movies as well
Dark souls
Something I have always enjoyed about winter is that I do not feel guilty for being inside and playing video games. I love when its cold and dark outside and I am inside, under a blanket and exploring worlds inside of video games. It is such an amazing feeling
First place my mind goes when thinking of snow areas is Undertale's Snowdin. Toby Fox has a way with music, and that entire post-intro area has a godly soundtrack
I think a lot of the Winter Biome allure is that it represents a technical challenge rather than a "learning" challenge. There's generally one or two things to learn, ice physics or unique barriers, but generally the Ice Level comes about midway through when you've gotten used to the game and now it can start to challenge you. This is a point of investment into a game where you really start to connect with it.
I've often seen snow as cozy and time to just sit inside and relax because you probably aren't doing anything outside. Now that I drive 40 minutes to work, snow has become the biggest danger to my life. I still love the days I'm off and can sit inside and play games during a big storm, but on days I have to drive through it, it ruins my entire day.
My enjoyment of snow is completely dependent on the day it falls.
Same, with the difference being, I'm a driver. I have to be in snow. Hell, considering my job is garbage man, snow days mean I get to make that/those day(s) up on the weekend. No more hoping for a cheeky day off!
My pants snowing right now at the sight of this Ghostcharm vid
You do not need to bring your perversions here.
Damn permvert!
Man's has dandruff nuts
This is a powerful statement, too powerful for me
Such viscous snow...
Sticky hot snow
As a Brazilian, I've never seen snow in my life, so Ocarina of time, having been my first game I've ever played, together with Mario64 and Banjo left a very potent mark on what snow and ice represents to me.
The first thing that comes to mind when the word snow shows up is the Ice cavern in OOT; snowman's land in M64 and who could forget that banger of a tune from Freezeezy Peak in Banjo!
I still have this dream of seeing snow! I know for those who live in snowy places it's not that glamorous, but I can still dream!
As someone who lives in the southern hemisphere, my whole life I've seen snow associated with the holidays, a time where I'm usually sweating my balls off... it's an interesting juxtaposition. I think that's why I prefer to see ice and snow as a hazard rather than a cozy setting.
The snow in Assassin's Creed 3 to this day still amazes me. I remember running through it as Haythem and watching him trudge and high step a path out of it and struggle to push his way forward. What an awesome memory you've brought back for me. Thank you.
I live in a very dry and hot region, and I have never personally seen snow in my entire life.
I'm a sucker for snow settings in videogames.
Needles to say I've spent dozens of hours hunting in the mountains in RDR 2 ❤
Also, Norway in Ass Creed Valhalla with that Jesper Kyd music is just 👌
I really hope you get to experience it someday, I still remember the first time I got to experience snow, its a memory that stays with you forever
Had reasonable strong winters in my youth, (Netherlands from 1984), but these days, the best chance on a short snow storm is in middle of April
Atleast until a few weeks ago, with some wet snow that leave behind a small hint.
But then again, according to some scientist, we might see a return to harsher winters over 3-5 year, gradually becoming more stronger.
@@Pretender6 Same here in the UK but probably to a lesser degree. It used to snow most years and for at least a good few weeks but now it lasts a day or two if it even snows at all.
Sometimes these magical moments do indeed happen, until your car gets stuck, then the snow loses it's magic haha. For people who have to deal with it, snow can sometimes feel like a pest, and I think games don't do that justice. Snow make everything you do more difficult.
I live in Canada and I'd never give up snow. I moved from Alberta (BIG snow and mostly dry heat/cold) to British Columbia (not much snow if any but 500% humidity) and besides the random thunderstorms because for some reason BC doesn't get many I don't miss anything besides the -40C weather and the 4 feet of snow overnight. Could never imagine living somewhere that's hot 24/7. Dad is a trucker and the worst place I've ever gone with him was Phoenix Arizona, literally 45+C our shoes were sticking to the pavement from the heat I have no idea how anyone lives there I wanted to die the second I left the AC
Winter in Stardew is just wonderful. As a farmer who never really bothers with sprinklers because I prefer the tactile aspect of personally raising my plants instead of automating them, Winter feels like a real break for me. I get a month to just... exist in the world, with no real responsibilities beyond feeding the chickens in the morning and finding the perfect Christmas gifts for my roommate Krobus and my secret santa recipient.
It's just such a vibe to do a bit of early morning fishing with Willie down by the docks, perhaps drop in on the old folks to make sure they're okay, spending days decorating my house for the holiday season with the money I've acquired through the year and finally stopping off at the tavern every night to bask in that warm cozy atmosphere surrounded by friends. I love it.
I would love to experience that
The title reminds me of Red Dead Redemption 2, the intro. I’m from Latin America and I had recently immigrated to Canada, so when my first time seeing snow in person happened I was amazed. It was something completely new, it’s hard to convey how mind blowing every little detail about the snow was. It was almost overwhelming, I was in my 30s learning how to navigate in a completely new environment. A few months later, Red Dead Redemption 2 intro was recreating that feeling, and I could feel and enjoy every little detail they put into the game. I don’t care the section was slow, I’ll cherish it forever.
When ya said snow, first thing that popped into my head was The Long Dark. The ambiance in that game is so good. The same sounds and visuals can be either cozy or oppressive depending entirely on how prepared you are.
"maybe ice is a different story" man I wish the real world was like that. Anytime I see snow it comes with a layer of ice
The Long Dark really is one of the most atmospheric survival games ever made. It's very unfortunate how the developers missed the opportunity to build on the core gameplay idea. Quality of life improvements and additional gameplay mechanics could've increase the replayability value over the time and kept the game relevant for years to come.
One of my favourite memories for snow in games, isn't from a video game, it's from a D&D campaign, my party and I were way up in the north, as we were hunting a Behir, and one of the funnest moment we had, was getting down from a Mountain, my character pulled out his ridiculously large greatsword, and succesfully snowboarded(snowsworded?) down the mountain.
11:00-11:45 i think snowy theme like this, has a feeling between calm, cozy, and sad.
Idk why, i dont feel so good, feel so cold, and so comfy that i feel so sleepy after hearing this. Like, be alone in cold igloo with no fire to warm you up.
Thats how i feel about snowy theme, how about you guys?
A game that made me fall in love with in game snow was Assassin's Creed 3. It pretty much is for the reasons you listed, I was 14 years old, and during the winter break, I spent 3 days at my best friend's place, and that was around New Year's. We booted up AC3, played through the intro, and then there it was - a time jump, it's winter time, and it's not just a different coloured ground, its real deep snow that slows you down when you go through it, while outside our window the snow was falling like it's the end times. It was such a special time and it still is one of my favourite games of all times.
The snowy areas of Maplestory will always hold a special place in my heart. The soundtracks that play as you start in El Nath and work your way towards Zakum are great, as is the level and monster design. Happyville also brings a deep feeling of nostalgia that no other winter holiday song or movie ever could.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla has its intro in the snowy mountain region.Out of North by Jesper Kyd is my favourite snow track.
The first time this background score started playing I was climbing a mountain to synchronize viewpoint. I was mesmerized by the graphics and this soundtrack.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla has some of my favourite video game soundtrack of all time. Leaving Valhalla, The first Departure, Bifrost are some of them.
3:00 when i saw the title, i immediatly thought back to the earlier days of helldivers 2. back then, snow and mud uses to stick to your armor in the game but it sadly broke and hasnt been fixed since
love how you talked about music, would love to see a video of you just talking about music in games.
my own thought that makes music sound snowy is persistent layers, like the strings ostinato in skyrim's tundra theme, slightly symbolizing wind. makes things sound colder. its all about layering baby, got a layer for wind, got a layer for ice, got a layer for water, and all of those layers mixed together creates the mental image of snow and cold.
Definitely the first time going through the northern regions of skyrim, that first blizzard and rushing wind when approaching the ancient ruins nestled in the snowy mountains...that was a magical moment.
For me when I think of snow in video games I think of Valak Mountain in Xenoblade Chronicles, a snow-covered mountain that you have to pass through as you go throughout the story. The cold, foggy scenery really sets the mood as you traverse it, and then night time hits. The icy crystals that dot the landscape light up as aether releases from them, painting the would-be pitch black night time mountain in a beautiful, warm yellow light as the music changes to one of my favorite songs in the entirety of video games: Snowy Valak Mountain - Night.
For me, nothing sums up all of the wonderful elements of a snowy region in a video game like Valak Mountain does. The scenery, the mechanics (both gameplay and weather), the music, the mood, and the beauty of all of it. Whether they're a region that's a struggle to survive in, a frustrating challenge of ice and and cold, or simply a comfortable set dressing for a game level or area, I love snow in video games.
I think when I think of snow in video games I think of Journey. How the ending gets harder and harder, how the traveller gets more and more frozen and walks slower and slower, before they burst out up onto the top of the mountain, and get to fly joyfully amongst the flurries. And at the very end, if you have a friend, you can walk around, drawing hearts and letters in the snow to say goodbye before you walk together into the light and finish the game together.
Waking up during winter break as a kid and hopping on Runescape will forever be a memory that I will cherish. All of your friends online, the whole world of Gielnor, covered in snow, holiday events in-game, unique items, and not to mention: SNOWBALLS.
1:58 to answer your question. In Timesplitters 2 you are instantly hit with Siberia. The music is just amazing at setting up the atmosphere of the level. The snow adds a certain eerieness to the area with a slight fog. Possibly even hinting at what's to come.
Thanks for the shout-out for The Long Dark, one of my favorite of all games. Recommend people watch Jacob Geller's video "Fear of Cold" which discusses TLD and Frost Punk further. And TLD is due to get its final updates to both Story and Survival modes in the next couple months, the player base is pretty hyped for it now.
Suggestion to call this series "Enviro-pedia". Great video as always
The quality of the script in this video is amazing. Thank you for making this!
I love snow, it's so beautiful and calming yet a sign of danger.
Just woke up to the first nice snow of the year in Kentucky, super timely upload!
Twilight Princess has two of my favorite snow songs. The snowboarding minigame hits like the old school snowboarding games for ps1, and the song that plays while you're walking around on the mountain sounds desolate and lonely. Both great ends of the spectrum
I'm currently making music for the ice level of the game I'm helping work on, your timing literally could not be any better
Thinking back to the childhood section of Fable 2, the snow was anything but cozy and fun. That whole segment felt frigid and oppressive, which makes sense considering you were a starving street child in the poorest part of Brownstone, but even seeing the castle in the snow gave it a haunted, unwelcoming feeling that set up the climax of that scene.
The long dark will always be my most loved snow themed game.
Speaking of snow in MMOs, FFXIV has a few snowy zones, but the one that stands out to me is Coerthas Western Highlands. The vibes are impeccable. If you have a moment, give both the day theme (Against the Wind) and the night theme (Black and White) a listen, they are beautiful and somber and absolutely frigid-feeling.
Snowy mountain in Jak and Daxter is so incredibly memorable because of its perfect placement in the progression of the game. Going directly from the heart of a volcano, surrounded by dark spider filled cave systems and deep red lava pools, taking the gondola up, and emerge at the top of a mountain covered in blinding white snow and bright blue skies is such an incredible feeing.
Man I have to say, you are easily one of my favorite video game creators on the platform. So much of the time, when creators make videos breaking down video game themes and mechanics, there is an air of pretentious ego involved, like they are some sort of expert or connoisseur on the subject. These kind of people feel like if I said I enjoyed a certain game, I’d be judged for it if it isn’t a conventionally popular title (like Starfield for example). But somehow your videos have a sense of genuine passion and just positivity for video games and the art and hobby of it. Thanks for being you man, and I love the content!
The snowy village of wolf people in Okami, that was the first thing to come to mind when I clicked, that game is just special and that specific area just hits different. Though BOTW and Skyrim also have some of the most enjoyable snowy area for me as well. I hope all of these environment/element videos get their own encyclopedia
As someone who has lived in the South most of my life snow in video games was really the only time I never got to experience that wintery charm outside of the rare few snowstorms. Will always have a place in my heart for those vibes. Thanks for the video ghost.
I live in North Alabama. We get a GOOD snow on average, about once every 2 years, if that. When it happens, the world just stops and slows down for a day or two, and just walking around seeing your neighborhood engulfed in the white snow is always SO magical. THAT'S why snow levels in video games are always my favorite. It's such a rare, magical experience in real life, so the usually one area in a video game that has snow creates a rare, magical experience for me.
Absolutely right. Everything just feels so tranquil in snow. The world falls silent
8:35 Also shoutout to Assassin's Creed 3's Snow from 2012. Very impressive. You felt the weight of it, just like RDR2 does.
As someone who lives in a country where snow is not that common (and even less every year), I love snow in games. It just makes my heart feel warm somehow. But oh boy, Skyrim's soundtrack is something else. It's a mix of real nostalgia and absolute beauty, it almost makes me cry whenever I hear certain songs, especially Secunda and Tundra.
i'm australian so i don't have snow for christmas, but i just arrived in canada today and i'm spending the season with family. nice to finally share in the nostalgia i've only ever felt through movies and video games. :)
The snow level I loved most as a kid is the Hamalayi mountains section in LBA1. The sound of snow crunching under Twinsen's feet was ear candy and so immersive. Then, later, Glacern town from Dungeon Siege 1.
perfect time and video to get myself on a new adventure in Skyrim
I always think of The Long Dark, Pokémon Generations 4 and 5, Little Inferno, Arkham Origins, MGS, and Skyrim when I think of snow in video games. Was so happy to see TLD and Arkham Origins in the video. Both are so underrated.
My first notable experience with snow in a video game. Where I actually noticed it and thought “woah”. Was the opening the Rise of the Tomb Raider.
The mountain top view and the interactive snow with the main character was incredible.
I genuinely enjoy your use of "we" in place of "I." "We will cover that in a future video, We will discuss that...." It makes me feel less like I'm in a snow-in-videogames lecture and more so sitting around a campfire discussing what we'll talk about the next time were together. Its something so minor but makes the commentary more attractive and stands out.
Okay so the first thing that came to mind when i saw the tile was Assassin's Creed III. I remember how realistic it looked at the time and how the walking/running animation changed if you got into deep snow, for some reason that memory stuck with me.
Snow for me has always represented self reliance and a place to enjoy the tranquility of being alone. I always felt some sort of peace from most winter levels. As a kid growing up in the arctic (above 60°N) winters were extreme at times but that feeling of being as in-the-middle-of-nowhere as possible, there was a weird sort of peace to that. I used to walk across a frozen lake to get to school sometimes with video game winter themes playing on my phone (midi ringtones 😂) and it was a surreal experience. I don't live there anymore but i still can't get enough of taking a good long walk in a blizzard, watching the wind whip the snow past the street lights.
First thing I thought of is the original snow music from terraria (now the underground ice). Built my OG home in a snow biome so many memories with chillin with the homies there or building up the base. Nothing will beat that for me, especially the holiday sounding undertones, somewhat mysterious yet wonder sounding chords, and the 8 bit tunes that literally sound liek falling snowflakes. Love that shit
My favourite snowy area in any game is the Warlord’s Ruin dungeon in Destiny 2. Ascending a jagged mountain in (presumably) Kazakhstan with an elaborate medieval fortress built into the peak, to battle the undead avatar of a long-dead Wish Dragon remains one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in a game, especially when I got good enough to solo it without dying once
The first time snow really blew me away in a video game was Tenchu: Stealth Assassins - Mission 5.
The music & atmosphere are amazing.
Its the moment that defined a core part of me the love of snow and winter and the cold, metroid prime that first time you walk out into Phendrana drifts
If you have a wishlist going for Ghostchill, I've always wanted someone to do a round-up of great Safe Room music. Would love to hear someone muse about what makes it communicate "safety", much like how GC talks about what makes it "snowy" or "wintry".
No One Lives Forever -- the snow level from that game frequently pops into my head whenever winter stuff kicks into my brain
Flanoir in Tales of Symphonia. Amazing tone and vibe... the music and snow falling effects are amazing. Really stands out as a chapter of the story.
15:50 This entire speech gave me goosebumps and made me tear up. Nailed it, brother. 🫡
Having just had our first decent snow here in Indiana last night. This video seems to fit
My god the chills I got when "Snow, lots of snow" frop A Short Hike kicked in
Snow story time.
Not exactly a snow story in a game... but gaming with snow outside IRL. One of my earliest memories is when i played Zelda: OoT on the N64 right before we sat down for Thanksgiving on the living room TV. I grew up in my grandparents house, my dad lost the house to my mom but got me. I remember grandma calling me over to the table. Both my grandparents are dead now. I miss them very much. I always imagined Heaven being something like an eternal Thanksgiving dinner with my loved ones, maybe not turkey forever but with the people.
Snow in video games is always going to bring lost planet to the front of my mind. 1 and 2 was so insanely fun playing growing up, and the whole theme of being on these planets trying to harvest energy that you also have to use to keep yourself warm is cool. I don't remember which game it was, but it really just hit different when you spent the first levels in a snowy wasteland and then suddenly you arrive at this lush jungle briming with life and warmth, that's just not a feeling you get from a lot of games, even games with big snow levels.
Jak and Daxter, The Precursor Legacy has a great soundtrack overall. Every song is a banger. But yea, the snow theme is very obviously a snowy level song. That's the first one that popped into my head.
The first thing that came to my mind is the snow level in Titan Quest. I find it very cozy, especially when night falls in the game. I grew up with that game, and it's kind of a hidden gem. I recommend everyone give it a shot.
My personal favorites of snow in video games are Mafia 2 and Forza Horizon 3 Blizzard mountain. Cars and snow is peak comfy.
For me it was the opening of the Tomb Raider Reboot (which ever one of the three games opened on that mountain ridge). It was my first time seeing snow that deforms and glitters in a video game. It was so damn awesome!
I love how cold the ambience in Skyrim makes you feel. The way the wind howls around you whilst snow flurries and the music swells
When I saw the title of the video, my mind went to Skyrim loaded up with survival mods like Frostfall. Skyrim, and a lot of the Elder Scrolls games, was always pretty good at creating atmosphere. Having a survival mod to really drive home that the cold north do indeed be cold really sends it to the next level when you're exploring the windswept mountains and tundras of Skyrim.
My first thought was about Fahrenheit - The Indigo prophecy. The cold and snow is basically carrying the whole atmosphere. I remember playing this in my warm, comfy room back then and feeling cold by proxy.
A mod dropped today for RDR2 called Snow which changed the weather to winter, changes some tree textures and even adds some snowmen. It really hits the spot for this time of year.
I knew exactly what you were talking about when you started explaining the ice mission in MW2, never knew the name of the game, only saw my step-dad playing it as a child. I could also recognize Skyrim's Tundra, goes to show how iconic that track is
One really neat addon for snow I saw recently made is called Simple Snow. It's a thing made for Unreal engine made by a youtuber and it genuinely looks so good. I highly recommend looking it up.
I also love seeing snow in video games and it's just one pleasure of mine. I especially love it with minecraft with shaders that make it feel like a nice snowy and calm night. Other games I especially love snow in is RDR2, Pokemon DPPt, Dragon Quest 11, Sonic Mania and Adventure 1, Kingdom Hearts 3, and Forza Horizon 4 Winter
The first thing that came to mind was Skyrim. Snowscapes are my favorite setting and northern Skyrim just made me so happy.
0:31 for us in Alaska, it's basically just danger lol
lol!
I’m going to be honest, I’m that exact type of person who actually doesn’t really like snow areas in games all that much. Usually while playing a game I don’t like the music much either. But the way your video was presented kinda warmed me up to it a bit. I DO actually really like Skyrim’s tundra area music. I really DO love the Winter soundtrack in Stardew Valley. While I don’t appreciate the gimmicks in snow levels, I think I’ve been lying to myself about the music lol. I would love if you did a whole video, like this one, about games that have great music. You and I seem to share a similar appreciation for that stuff. Even though I’m not a snow level guy I loved the video. Great as always, Ghost!
Aside from Skyrim, I think the most memorable snow and ice related moment in a game has to be from Dark Souls 3. Leaving the Catacombs of Carthus right after defeating High King Wolnir only to receive an absolutely jawdropping view of Irithyll of the Boreal Valley still sticks in my mind to this day.
First thought about snow in video games was about what the technical challenges must be around it. Footprints, sound changes, rendering falling snow
One thing that comes to mind, when thinking about snow, are all the maps from Monster Hunter. Especially the starting area of Freedom Unite(?) felt always very mysterious.
Snowrunner deserves a mention here too. Its snow maps like Alaska, Kola Peninsula and Amur (and an upcoming new map) really nail the winter ambience, along with the ambient music
Kola peninsula is so good but I wish the objectives weren't all so far
My first association was immediately Metro Exodus, as I've just finished it tonight. However, when I think of my favourite snow ambiance in video games, it's a tie between Icewind Dale and the final chapter of Serious Sam: The Second Encounter. Just impeccable vibes all around!
I'm glad you added in The Long Dark to the video
whenever I think of snow in videogames I immediately think of The Long Dark
First game I thought of was DayZ and it's new winter map, Sakhal.
Prolly just recency effect.
But surviving on a frigid, forested volcanic island hits different than the previous regions.
Fishing the icy waters with chunks of sea ice and black sand beaches, avoiding snow encrusted hills lest you be easily spotted from a distance, listening for snow crunch footsteps, rushing inside to make a fire in a blizzard bc it soaked your clothes, just to get shot in the head through a window by some a*hole outside in a t-shirt..
It's very relaxing.
and I'm glad the guy saved himself a few hours of scavenging.
It took me a while to find that duct tape.
Carnivores Ice Age was what I first thought of when I saw the title. One of the first actual video games I played as a kid.
While i have experienced so many awsome uses of snow in games, and Mario 64 was a landmark, my all time favourite use of snow which I mmediately thought of when i saw this vid is Banjo Kazooie's Freeze easy peak.
Thatlevel has snow, Christmas thenes and just a whole coxy feeling that i will always love.
I was hoping for a mention of Snowrunner
It's quite something to get stuck in the deep Alaskan wilderness, or explore the white hell of Amur
TheHunter: Call of the Wild has some incredible winter vibes as well, the Alaska map shifts between clear and snowy and is stunning every moment of it
WoW's Winterspring theme/music still gives me goose bumps 20yrs later.
I think about Vintage Story. No game captures both sides of snow as well as that game. From inside your home its cozy, you feel safe and comfortable. But the moment you step outside, the wolves fur is white, and they're hungry. Even with warm clothes youre on a timer, youre slower and weaker, your crops are dead and if you havent stockpiled you are staring death in the face forced to go out and hunt for barely enough food to last. If things are good, snow is such a vibe. Otherwise its harsh, dangerous, and subtle.
Snow areas in games are so comforting. My favourite weather in video games. The most prominent of which is Mafia 2 from Chapter 1 to Chapter 5
I love the contrast of this perspective on the magical comfort of winter versus Jacob Geller's borderline horror perspective.
My immediate thought was - The excitement when you see snow in a game and want to see if and how you leave tracks!
Nothing more disappointing than snow you can't *interact* with even just passively.
Similarly to The Long Dark, if you worked/fought/scrapped by to make it to winter in Project Zomboid but didn’t train your stats or loot enough food, you’ll be set up for a cold cold death by starvation if the zombies don’t get you first. The wind and snow during winter in that game is so gorgeous for anyone skilled enough to make it there. 💪😩
My spouse and I watched this together and almost without fail they would mention something and you'd talk about it right away. Perfect alignment!
Just before my Brockie and the Niners go off to play in a snow globe in Buffalo, also first good bit of snow we've got here in Wisco, video feels so perfectly timed