
In many games, weather isn’t just for show. It actively impacts gameplay – rain can soak you, cold can drain your energy, and storms can create dangerous situations. These games have systems where changing weather forces you to think ahead, adjust your strategy, and sometimes simply tough it out.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

As a climber, I’ve learned you really have to pay attention to the weather! Rain can make everything super slippery, so sometimes you just have to wait it out or find a different path. And thunderstorms are scary because they can hit your metal gear, so I always take off anything metal when one’s coming. Heat and cold are brutal too – if you don’t have the right clothes and enough food, you’ll quickly feel exhausted. Finally, wind is a big factor; it really changes how far you can glide and where your arrows will land, so you have to account for that when planning your shots.
Red Dead Redemption 2

Traveling through cold areas will drain Arthur’s stamina if he isn’t wearing warm clothes. Mud, rain, and snow make riding more difficult and leave tracks that can be used to find animals or people. Wet weather also causes guns and equipment to wear out quicker and need regular cleaning to stay in good condition. Finally, the time of day and the weather impact how animals behave and where they appear.
Forza Horizon 4

The game features dynamic seasons that impact how you drive. Winter turns water into ice, creating new paths but making it harder to stop. In autumn, wet leaves and rain make country roads slippery. Spring and summer bring changes to off-road conditions and affect how fast you can go.
Don’t Starve

Rain can affect a player’s mental state, so they can make umbrellas or hats to stay dry. Winter is freezing, meaning players need warm clothes and a way to stay heated. Summer brings the risk of overheating, so cooling items and shade are important. The seasons also change how crops grow, how quickly food spoils, and how certain creatures behave.
Monster Hunter: World

Dangerous areas with extreme heat or harmful gases can cause damage unless you’re prepared with the right equipment or abilities. Sandstorms and changing weather make it harder to see and affect how monsters act. Certain materials and creatures only show up when specific conditions are met. You can use protective gear and items to resist heat and other environmental dangers while you’re hunting.
Death Stranding

Timefall speeds up damage to goods and buildings, making protective shelters and container coatings crucial. Rain frequently happens alongside BT activity, forcing changes to travel plans and speed. Heavy rainfall causes rivers to rise and currents to become stronger, making it harder to cross them safely. Both wind and how damp the ground is can affect how quickly you tire and how well vehicles handle.
Frostpunk

Colder temperatures lead to increased coal use and higher rates of sickness, pushing power companies to improve their systems and manage staff carefully. Severe weather demands preparation, like storing supplies and implementing rules that change how we live. Where buildings are located in relation to warmer or colder areas impacts how well people survive. Shifts in the environment directly affect how quickly we can develop new technologies and explore new places.
Battlefield 4

The Paracel Storm map features a brewing typhoon that creates rough seas and high waves, damaging boats and platforms. Strong winds and heavy rain limit how far you can see and change how helicopters can land. This storm also impacts the environment, closing off certain paths and altering mission goals. Because of the changing weather, squads need to adjust their strategies during gameplay.
Pokémon Sword and Shield

The Wild Area’s weather changes daily, affecting which Pokémon you’ll encounter and which raid battles are available. Rain, sunshine, hail, and sandstorms also impact how accurately and powerfully Pokémon attack during battles. Some Pokémon even evolve or change form depending on the current weather. Finally, certain items and abilities work with the weather, adding another layer of strategy to building a strong team.
Genshin Impact

Rain makes wet surfaces and water conductive, creating chain reactions with Electro abilities and weakening Pyro attacks. Combining Hydro and Cryo can freeze water and enemies, allowing you to create new paths or control groups of opponents. In Dragonspine, extreme cold will harm you unless you stay near heat sources. Wind and storms also affect how you glide and where you position yourself in battle.
Sea of Thieves

Storms make navigation difficult, potentially flooding ships and throwing them off course. High winds require careful control of sails and steering to steer clear of dangerous rocks. Lightning strikes can injure crew and damage ships during battle. Waves and changing currents affect aiming cannons and trying to board enemy vessels.
Microsoft Flight Simulator

Current wind, air pressure, and precipitation levels all impact how far a plane needs to travel for takeoff, how quickly it can climb, and how much fuel is needed. Ice buildup on the plane and engines reduces lift and makes it harder to see, unless a de-icing system is used. Thunderstorms create bumpy conditions and sudden changes in wind direction, sometimes forcing pilots to change their flight plans. Low clouds and fog require pilots to rely on instruments for landing and may necessitate choosing a different airport.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Sandstorms make it hard to see and harder for enemies to spot you, allowing for sneakier approaches that would be too dangerous on clear days. Rain quiets movement and hides tracks, making it harder for patrols to detect you. Bad weather also affects when helicopters can provide support or pick you up. The enemy changes their equipment and tactics based on the weather forecast.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm

Floods can wash away structures temporarily, but help farmland become more productive later on if you address the issue. Extreme weather like droughts, blizzards, and hurricanes can harm your cities unless you build protective infrastructure. Structures like dams, canals, and power plants connect your city’s development to both the climate and available resources. Later in the game, rising sea levels will pose a threat to coastal areas, forcing you to rethink how and where you expand and defend your territory.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The weather changes what fish and insects you find, letting you collect different items each season. Rain automatically waters your flowers, which affects the new types you can grow. When it snows, you can roll snowballs to build snowmen and earn unique rewards. Plus, weather affects special events like meteor showers and when balloons appear.
Project Zomboid

As a long-time player, I’ve really noticed how much the weather impacts everything! When it gets cold and rainy, it’s not just about being uncomfortable – it actually makes my character much more likely to get hypothermia, and it really drags down their spirits and how quickly they recover. Getting soaked adds a ton of weight, and if I don’t dry off, I’m way more likely to get sick. Plus, timing is everything with farming and preserving food – you really have to pay attention to the seasons. And forget about sneaking around or easy fights when the fog rolls in or a storm hits – visibility drops, so you have to completely rethink your strategy!
Valheim

Rain slows down stamina recovery and makes it difficult to keep fires burning. Staying warm at night or in the mountains requires warm capes or drinking mead to avoid taking damage. Sailing speed and the best route depend on the wind. Finally, the weather in each area affects what enemies appear and what resources you can find, so being prepared is key.
The Long Dark

Blizzards severely limit how far you can see, and the extreme wind makes you lose body heat rapidly. Ice and strong winds can close off paths and make it difficult to build a dependable fire. Animals act differently during storms, changing the dangers you might face. The right clothing and a good shelter are crucial – they can determine whether you keep moving or are forced to stop and camp.
SnowRunner

As someone who follows these things closely, it’s amazing how quickly road conditions can change! One minute it’s just wet, then a little rain turns it muddy or even flooded, making traction totally different. And it’s not just roads – if you’re planning on driving on ice, the temperature and time of day really matter for how safe it is. Honestly, picking the right vehicle and knowing if you need tire chains is all about checking the forecast. Even when a company is scheduling deliveries, they have to pay attention to the weather map and plan routes accordingly – it’s everything!
DayZ

Staying warm and dry is crucial when the weather turns cold and wet. Rain and low temperatures can quickly lead to hypothermia if you don’t build fires or find warmer clothes. Wet clothing adds weight, makes more noise, and reduces your body heat. Fog and wind also make it harder to see and hear, impacting both stealth and finding your way around. Prolonged bad weather will also affect your energy levels, health, and access to food.
Share your favorite weather-driven moments and the games we should add in the comments.
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2025-11-17 14:17