The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The first game that I looked at, again, was Skyrim, as it produces some really nice effects throughout the game and especially with snow. There are many different areas where you can see snow and it can pretty much snow wherever you are, but the best place to see the blizzard type snow is going up the large mountain in the centre of the map. The snow featured in the video below shows a really nice use of a weather system that creates some brilliant looking snow that clearly is affected by the wind direction in the scene. The really nice element that I like though is the haziness of the whole scene and the visible distance of which the player can see is limited, making the player feel trapped and isolated which is a great effect.
The next game that I looked at was The Last of Us as this has some great scenes later on in the game which are set in the snow. The overall look to the snow, especially in the first part of the scene below is very nice and blows at the players face as they are moving quickly through the level. Whats very nice about this snow in particular is the way that it settles on the characters and the objects in the level is gathers and builds up and looks especially nice when you can see in on Ellie throughout the level, especially the part when she falls off the horse.
Uncharted 2
The next game that I looked at was Uncharted 2 which featured some really gorgeous snow at the very beginning of the game. You first see Drake hanging onto the end of a train while the snow blows down, slightly towards the camera adding a nice effect and there is a lot of mist in the air which again, like Skyrim, reduces the visibility in the area. Then, after a flashback, we see him at the top of the mountain clambering his way through the snow to try and get to the train wreckage. The snow is still falling down nicely and as Drake moves through the snow you can see the pieces of it getting pushed around creating a snow cloud of particles that look really lovely.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
This was a strange one that came to my attention but Crash Bandicoot 2 as it has a very nice snow level at the beginning. The snow is very minimal and is basic looking just falling straight down in some places, but the element that I really like about this game level is the overall appearance of the level design and the colours used. Its very cold and unfriendly which is great for a snow level and the blue tones used throughout compliment the overall level design and combined with the red and yellow on Crash himself and the apples and boxes, they create a really nice contrast.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
The next game that I wanted to look at was another slightly older game, Majora's Mask. This is a really great example of how snow can be used effectively in an environment to again, like Crash Bandicoot 2, makes it feel cold and deserted, even though there may be objects and other features to the environment. Al of the snow on the ground has a blue tint to it making it look a lot colder and there is a nice depth of field that's been added to give it a very hazy appearance so the player cannot see too far into the distance.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
The next that I looked at was Call of Duty as the snow in this level is beautifully done. Its very creatively made and the entire level gives off a very cold feeling that gives you chills when you look at the surroundings. The snow itself is better the further away it is, the closer it is the more like blobs of particles it looks like, but when further away the snow looks blurrier and less in focus, making it look much more appealing. The whole environment is very icy looking and when climbing up the front of it the marks that the ice pick makes is very nice, shattering the nearby ice around it and only adding to the final look of the level.
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
I then wanted to look at another slightly older game, which was Hitman 2. This is a very nice example of how snow can be used in a level as it creates this lovely looking level which is hazy, like most of the other games I've looked at, but you can see a bit further into the distance than with some of the others. The only downside being that the snow on the ground doesn't look as good, as there isn't any being kicked up by the feet of the character, or any footprints being left behind. But the colour scheme is nice, although not following the typical blues, it goes towards more of a green look instead, which does work but doesn't give the same cold atmosphere.
Assassins Creed: Rogue
The next game that I wanted to look at was Assassin's Creed: Rogue as this is one of the games that came out this year that really advertised the snow that they use in game. The snow is great to look at and the areas up near the arctic are beautiful and really do capture a snowy level that's hidden away in a ice capped valley. The overall surroundings look great and there has been a lot of detail and thought that has gone into the level design. The snow itself I think could be better, as it is very large and especially when on the boat moving through the snow it is in the players face a lot, making it hard to see and not in a good way. But the colour scheme used makes up for it, using the typical blue tones that make the icy caverns look even colder and make Shay, the character, look even more alone.
Far Cry 4
The last game that I wanted to look at was Far Cry 4 as this has some beautiful snow in the scenes where the player goes up to the Himalaya's. The snow is very much a blizzard and you can see the snow particles streaking in different directions suggesting different changes in the wind, creating a very nice effect throughout the entire game level. The snow itself looks great and isn't to big or small and in some cases isn't as noticeable, making it a subtle effect. This combined with the reduced visibility on the level creates a really nice atmosphere for the level and this is definitely one of the games that will be influencing my snow effect the most.
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