Summary
Dynamic seasonal cycles are quite rare in video games, especially in open-world titles. It is easy to see why: while developers can create various biomes and weather conditions — resulting in worlds with lush green forests (spring), snowy mountains (winter), or dry sandy deserts (summer) — it is far simpler to design distinct, unchanging regions rather than essentially crafting four different versions of the same world to shift dynamically over time.
This makes open-world games thatincorporate seasonal cyclesall the more impressive. Creating a natural sense of time passing in the world around players can enhance immersion, impact gameplay, and even add depth to the narrative. Interestingly, not every game with seasonal changes implements them dynamically. In some cases, the entire cycle is tied to the story, shifting gradually as the game progresses and offering more than just visual differences.
Below, we’ll explore both approaches to seasonal cycles in open-world games, whether through a free-flowing dynamic rotation or a fixed transition for narrative purposes, ranking them by how effectively they utilize the changing seasons,whether purely for aesthetics or in more meaningful ways.
Long beforeHogwarts Legacy, Rockstar’sBullyused a similar school-year cycle for its open-world setting of Bullworth Academy and the surrounding town, with a full seasonal progression tied to the narrative. As the story unfolds from fall to summer, the environment shifts with autumn leaves, winter snow, and spring greenery. The relatively modest scope ofBullyallowed the developers to create four distinct versions of the world,enhancing immersion and bringing a lifelike feelto the school experience.
LikeHogwarts Legacy, players have no control over the seasonal changes inBully. Additionally, despite the major visual differences, the shifts are largely aesthetic rather than having a significant impact on gameplay. Still, it is a nice touch that was quite ahead of its time in the open-world genre.
Mafia 2features both a time jump and a seasonal change in its world, though not as a dynamic transition but rather as a point of no return as the story progresses. Still, given how dramatically Empire Bay transforms throughout the game,Mafia 2remains one of the most impressive examples in the open-world genre for such a change.
Starting in the winter of the 1940s, the fictional city of Empire Bay is fully explorable between missions, with players free to navigate its snowy streets and icy roads without restrictions. As the story spans several years, the setting shifts to the summer of the 1950s, bringing a vibrant, colorful atmosphere, faster cars, and different driving physics, as vehicles no longer slip on the ice.WhileMafia 2’s fairly linear storyand limited side activities reduce the impact of its seasonal changes, they still contribute to a lively, immersive world that keeps the experience fresh.
True to theHarry Potterseries,Hogwarts Legacynaturally incorporates a full seasonal cycle throughout its story. Triggered by key narrative moments, the game begins in summer and progresses through autumn, winter, and spring, with the world’s visual appearance changing to reflect the passage of a school year at Hogwarts.
Given the vast and beautifully detailed world, players can expect to be constantly amazed by how different the wizarding school, Hogsmeade Valley, and the coastal environments look across the seasons. However, seasons cannot be changed manually. Once the main story concludes, thegame locks into spring permanently, which may be disappointing for those who wish to continue exploring and uncovering all the hidden secrets and activities left on the map.
Open-world survival horrorSons of the Forestis a notable example of utilizing changing seasons, a feature absent in its predecessor,The Forest, to create a moreimmersive and dynamic survival experience. Set on a sprawling island where players can explore, craft, and build, the game lacks curated missions but maintains a constant threat from its cannibal and mutant inhabitants. The seasonal cycles are not just for show, as they significantly impact gameplay and survival mechanics.
Certain food sources and resources are more abundant during warmer seasons but become scarce as late fall and winter approach. However, winter also brings frozen lakes, unlocking new traversal routes to previously inaccessible areas, similar toForza Horizon 4. Players must adapt to ever-changing conditions to survive, with no direct control over the seasons in regular gameplay (though season length can be adjusted in custom mode). As a result, the dynamic seasonal system inSons of the Forestplays a crucial role in enhancing both immersion and challenge.
Monster Hunter Wildsintroduces its own take on seasonal change mechanics. Instead of following a traditional yearly cycle, the game features an “Environment State” system, which blends seasonal shifts with dynamic weather conditions. Each of the game’slarge open biomes undergoes three distinct transformations, and after completing the story, players can manually switch between them for a cost.
The game’s environmental states include Plenty (vibrant, resource-rich landscapes), Fallow (harsh conditions with increased predator activity), and Inclemency (stormy, extreme weather scenarios). These transformations not only alter the world’s visuals but also impact monster spawns and resource availability, making the system a rare example of a gameplay-driven seasonal mechanic rather than a purely aesthetic one. This dynamic feature helpsMonster Hunter Wildscreate a living, breathing ecosystem that enhances the series' original concept.
Ever sinceForza Horizon 4, the seasonal cycle has been a defining feature of the series, enhancing its broad appeal and remaining unmatched in the open-world racing genre. InForza Horizon 4, the stylized Great Britain setting features a dynamic seasonal system that rotates weekly in its shared world. Each season brings distinct visual and gameplay changes: winter freezes lakes, creating new driving paths, while in spring, dirt and mud make off-road driving far more challenging for fast cars.
Forza Horizon 5carries this feature forward, though its Mexico setting doesn’t allow for the same stark seasonal contrasts. With a generally warmer climate, the game emphasizes unique weather patterns, such as dust storms in the dry season or tropical rains in the jungle during the wet season. Despite these differences, both games use seasonal shifts to keep their open worlds fresh and engaging, encouraging exploration and ensuring the environments remain dynamic over time.
The latest installment in Ubisoft’s flagship series,Assassin’s Creed Shadows, stands as the most impressive open-world game with seasonal cycles to date. The gamefeatures a fully dynamic four-season cycle, transforming the look and feel of every corner of 1580s Feudal Japan. From autumn’s yellow-red forests to snow-covered pagodas in winter, the world ofAssassin’s Creed Shadowsremains visually stunning and ever-changing throughout the year.
Beyond aesthetics, the game alsoupdates its locations and enemies with each passing season, allowing players to revisit areas and earn new rewards. Some story missions are tied to specific seasons for greater narrative impact, temporarily locking players into a particular time of year during key story moments.
Notably,Assassin’s Creed Shadowsisn’t the first entry in the long-running series to incorporate seasonal changes, though none have done so on such a dynamic scale. Long beforeShadows,Assassin’s Creed 3took a similar approach toMafia 2, progressing through different periods and alternating between summer and winter in the 1750s–1780s. The changing seasons inAssassin’s Creed 3affected not just the visuals of the Frontier but also gameplay, making traversal slower and more challenging in snowy conditions.
