Weather has come a long way in video games, which started as a way to set dress games, or even as a way to convey pivotal moments during cutscenes. The sky could turn dark and stormy if a villain appeared, or rain could start to fall as characters wept over a dying body. These are all fine examples, but as consoles evolved, developers were able to utilize better technology for gameplay purposes.

Now, weather effects in games have become more hazardous as they can affect gameplay. Sometimes this helps bring forth new immersion opportunities, while other times the weather effects can be too annoying to deal with. Let’s go over some of the biggest games that use weather effects well, for better or worse.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Rain Slicked Surfaces

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the most freeing open-world games of all time, with a wonderfully realized Hyrule, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with obstacles. One of the most frustrating weather patterns is rain, which makes it impossible for players to climb any surface, and this can be disastrous while trying to explore and collect things.

There are other weather-based hazards as well, like having to drink something hot in cold snowy areas to prevent Link from losing hearts, or the opposite in hot areas.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Beware Of Timefall

Players in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach can explore large areas of deserts, mountains, and forests across Mexico and Australia. The only real weather problem is rain, which is called Timefall, because the rain in this world has a chemical in it that can rapidly age anything it touches, from a human hand to a package.

To prevent packages from getting damaged in the rain, players can build a shelter to wait out the rain, or they can cover their packages with a tarp. Players can also use a truck to transport goods safely and in large quantities. Snowy areas can also be damaging, but more so to Sam, the protagonist.

Final Fantasy 12

Monster Hunter

Final Fantasy 12 is more like a semi-open-world, but it was one of the biggest of its era on the PS2 for Final Fantasy games. In certain areas, weather could affect these areas as they would open up new pathways, close areas off, or have new enemies appear.

One of the biggest side quests in the game was a rare monster hunt, and players had to pay attention to weather patterns to know when these rare monsters would appear. Also, certain weather patterns could strengthen, aligning magic like water spells would be stronger in the rain.

Assassin's Creed Origins

Dust In The Wind

Assassin's Creed Origins was the first game to incorporate RPG elements into the gameplay, and overall, this big open-world RPG was largely set in Egypt. The big weather pattern players had to look out for were sandstorms, which sprouted up occasionally as players explored the terrain.

Sandstorms would affect visibility, but they wouldn’t hurt players, unlike sandstorms in some other games, including Mad Max. If players used Eagle Vision to cut through the winds, they could use a sandstorm to their advantage to take out enemies quickly and quietly.

Monster Hunter Wilds

The Seasons Of Fallow And Plenty

Monster Hunter Wilds is the first fully open-world game in the Monster Hunter franchise, wherein players can traverse from one end of the map to the other, which is gated by story progress.

The game has two seasons called Fallow and Plenty, which can change how the environments behave and what monsters will appear there, and eventually, players can select what season they want to explore from the mission menu. For example, the starting area, Windward Plains, can have sandstorms that will affect visibility and lightning storms that players actively have to dodge, or else they will get injured.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Sneaking With Ease

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is separated into small biomes of open areas, but most of them feature desert terrain with a bit of vegetation here and there. This is another stealth game wherein players can use sandstorms to their advantage to sneak past guards or take them out.

Rain can also help keep players hidden, as it will usually be darker, and if water is pounding loud enough, players can shoot enemies without suppressors, as the deafening sound of bullets will be covered up.

Fallout 4

Radstorm Alert

Fallout 4 has one of the deadliest weather patterns found in any game: Radstorms. The game takes place within the Boston area of the U.S., which is close to the ocean. Ocean winds have affected the rain in this area to make it carry radiation, and any good Fallout fan knows that radiation can cause harmful effects.

If left untreated, it can sometimes mutate the player, so it’s best to come prepared while traveling the wastes. Players can carry various meds to negate the Radstorm effects, like Rad-X, or players can stay inside any type of shelter to wait out the storm.

Xenoblade Chronicles X

Weather Proof Mechs

Xenoblade Chronicles X has a massive open-world area to explore that is full of nasty creatures, way stronger and bigger than what the initial party will be capable of handling. Also, the dynamic weather can affect all three types of character archetypes in the game. There are human and humanoid party members, enemies of all varieties, and mechs called Skells, which can be piloted by allies and enemies.

The weather will affect these characteristics differently. For example, rain can bring accuracy down for party members and enemies, but if a character is piloting a Skell, rain will not affect its accuracy. It takes a while to unlock Skells, but they are certainly worth it and not just because they can negate a lot of weather effects.

Pokemon Violet/Scarlet

Weather Evolution

Pokemon Violet and Pokemon Scarlet are two of the biggest Pokemon games that Game Freak has ever made, and they make good use of weather patterns in various ways. One of the most obvious is that certain weather conditions can bring out Pokemon, like rain may bring out a Water-type Pokemon.

Weather can also affect how Pokemon evolve, like Sliggoo will evolve into Goodra during rainy weather. Evolutionary patterns are rare for now, but given how the Pokemon series constantly evolves, how players interact with the creatures, it could become more common in future Pokemon sequels.

Mario Kart World

Grip That Wheel Tight

Mario Kart World is the first game in the series to feature an open world that connects tracks together during circuits, and players can also explore the world fully to discover mini-games and costumes. As a racing game, the effects the weather will have on cars should not be that surprising.

If it rains, tires will become slick, and it can be easy to slide around, which is even more dangerous in snowy conditions. In these situations, players just have to be more tactful while driving. Terrain overall can make racing more challenging, like mud, which will slow down tire traction.