Best winter levels in video games

Key insights

• Winter levels in games like It Takes Two and Max Payne create immersive environments and intense gameplay.
• Characters navigate snow-covered areas, face unique challenges and uncover secrets, enhancing the gaming experience.
• Players experience exciting action sequences and strategic gameplay against snowy backdrops, making these levels unforgettable.

Most video games offer different levels to keep players engaged for the long term. These unique environments ensure that players don't get bored of seeing the same sights over and over again while playing a long and rewarding video game.

Some of the best and most notable levels in video games are those with snowy environments, perfect for players preparing for the winter season. These cool levels offer great gameplay, iconic moments and detailed environments that make them a highlight in their respective games.

1 Snow globe

A beautiful winter wonderland for two players to enjoy

The Snow Globe is one of the many open-ended levels that Cody and May explore to lift the curse that miniaturized them. This area is a winter wonderland full of things to do and goals to accomplish.

Running around to win against your co-op partner and uncover secrets in this frosty world is a big part of what makes this section tick It takes two so special. It's a powerful level that comes relatively early in the game, forcing fans to stick with this game until the end.

2 The Narshe attack

A memorable start to one of the best Final Fantasy games of all time

The introduction of Final Fantasy 6 is iconic: In Magitek Armor, players take on the role of three mysterious characters who have to infiltrate the Narshe mines and find an esper. From the moment the trio begins running in the snow as the credits roll, fans will be impressed by the cinematic qualities of this game.

This chilly introduction embodies much of what makes the winter season so special: players wander through the mines before eventually encountering the Esper. Terra then finally frees herself from the slave crown and embarks on an epic adventure to stop the war-loving Imperials.

3 Police brutality

Max chases Vinnie through the streets of New York City during a winter storm

The first two Max Payne Games are synonymous with winter, as both titles take place in New York during this frosty season. The first game is particularly memorable because it offers players exciting gunfights with a great story, which is further enhanced by the winter storm that is hitting New York at the time.

Some of the best levels in the game allow players to engage in action-packed gunfights against the backdrop of this cold winter, with Police Brutality being a great example of this. The bombastic start of this level, in which players hunt down Vinnie and take out any thugs that stand in their way, is a memorable moment that brings Max one step closer to uncovering the truth behind the Valkyr drug.

4 Attack on the control room

One of the longest and most iconic levels in the game

Halo: Combat Evolved is one of the best first-person shooters of all time, offering a whole host of open-ended levels that are fun to navigate. One of the most iconic levels in the game is “Assault on the Control Room”, a level with a lot of snow in which Master Chief must use all the tools at his disposal to reach the control room.

It is one of the best levels in the world halo Series in which players have access to every weapon except one as they take control of numerous vehicles to take out enemies and slowly but steadily advance to the control room. Despite being the longest level in the game, Assault on the Control Room holds up in its appeal, leaving players to marvel at the game's beautiful sights as they progress.

5 Invitation to a party

An iconic Hitman level

Hitman 2: Silent Assassin is one of the most iconic stealth video games of all time, and most of its levels are fondly remembered by the fan base. Invitation to a Party is an iconic mission that requires players to infiltrate a group in an embassy and take out a Russian general before quickly retreating.

The mission is exciting and fast-paced, offering players multiple ways to explore while posing as a party guest or sneaking into the premises. The sheer number of options available to players ensures that this level is a blast no matter how many times players replay it.

6 prolog

The snowy town of Ludendorff serves as an amazing introduction to GTA 5

Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the most beautiful open-world games of all time, whose prologue sets the stage for a captivating story. Players control Michael and Trevor as they rob a cash warehouse, but things soon take a turn for the worse.

This mission sparks a lot of intrigue as Michael fakes his death to escape Trevor's madness once and for all. The town of Ludendorff looks beautiful when covered in snow, making it an unforgettable entry into the action-packed spectacle Grand Theft Auto 5.

7 A rock and a hard place

An action-packed introduction to the events of Uncharted 2

Uncharted 2 is one of the greatest action-adventure games players can get their hands on, and the introduction of this game sets the stage for a bombastic experience. Players control Nathan Drake, who must escape a train on the edge of a cliff, climb the collapsing structure, and barely reach safety as he reaches the cliff of a snow-capped mountain.

It's hard not to feel cold and uncomfortable as Nathan battles the cold and his injuries to pull off some herculean parkour efforts. This amazing opening level is a taste of what fans will experience in one of the best levels Unexplored Games Ever Made.

8 Lakeside Resort

A memorable section that allows players to control Ellie for the first time

After Joel's injury, it's up to Ellie to brave the winter and find food for them both. Players will be able to control Ellie for the first time as she completes one of the best sections of The Last of Uswhich deepens the bond between the two main characters.

This switch ensures players are invested in the second half of the game as they get one step closer to facing the Fireflies. David is a fascinating antagonist in this arc, with Ellie's character development taking center stage as she battles this creep and reunites with Joel.