Best Snow Level - Share yours.
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I really like the first snow level in Dungeon Keeper, I think it's the first where you have a ton of space and a couple of unlimited ore veins at the back and call really play around with designing your dungeon, mainly because there's not threat until you start exploring.
OK, time for some snowy Halo!
Assault on the Control Room - an iconic level (well, aren't they all). This level strikes a fairly decent balance between indoor sections (including a couple of optional stealth bits) and outside, often vehicle-based combat. Aesthetically the level is a real change of pace compared to the rest of the game so far, and the fact that the previous level was a temperate island (The Silent Cartographer) makes this desolate snowy wasteland - one quick Pelican ride away through Halo's access shafts - a real reminder of the crazy alien fusion of landscape and architecture. It's also the first time you get to pilot a Banshee, which at the time was an epic experience.
The biggest multiplayer map to ship with the standard console version of Halo:CE, Sidewinder was probably not appreciated by many players as the first Halo had no online functionality, meaning a LAN party with 15 other Xbox owners would be the only way to play this huge horseshoe-shaped multiplayer arena as it was intended. Probably best played on Capture the Flag mode with big teams, outdoor battles would be dominated by Scorpion tanks, snipers and flag-carrying Warthogs skidding around on the ice, while the cramped interior corridors and the appearance of shotgun and invisibility powerups made for lethal attack/defence scenarios. The Halo 3 DLC map, avalanche, was a remake/homage to Sidewinder.
Halo 2 has a lot of... weird levels. They really cranked up the "alien factor" on this game, and as a result there are some levels that are just quite visually confusing. Quarantine Zone is one such example, featuring ruined, radioactive-looking megastructures, Flood infestation, snow (or is it nuclear fallout?), and a cool gondola ride at the end.
Snowbound: Halo 3's first Multiplayer snow map. What I mostly like about this level is the intricate level design and the way Bungie combined gameplay with storytelling. Covenant research bases and excavations link the different areas of this level, and the outer boundary is defined by sentry guns which will shoot at people who stray too far outside - a damn sight more imaginative than a sterile and contrived "return to the battlefield" message.
Assault on the Control Room - an iconic level (well, aren't they all). This level strikes a fairly decent balance between indoor sections (including a couple of optional stealth bits) and outside, often vehicle-based combat. Aesthetically the level is a real change of pace compared to the rest of the game so far, and the fact that the previous level was a temperate island (The Silent Cartographer) makes this desolate snowy wasteland - one quick Pelican ride away through Halo's access shafts - a real reminder of the crazy alien fusion of landscape and architecture. It's also the first time you get to pilot a Banshee, which at the time was an epic experience.
The biggest multiplayer map to ship with the standard console version of Halo:CE, Sidewinder was probably not appreciated by many players as the first Halo had no online functionality, meaning a LAN party with 15 other Xbox owners would be the only way to play this huge horseshoe-shaped multiplayer arena as it was intended. Probably best played on Capture the Flag mode with big teams, outdoor battles would be dominated by Scorpion tanks, snipers and flag-carrying Warthogs skidding around on the ice, while the cramped interior corridors and the appearance of shotgun and invisibility powerups made for lethal attack/defence scenarios. The Halo 3 DLC map, avalanche, was a remake/homage to Sidewinder.
Halo 2 has a lot of... weird levels. They really cranked up the "alien factor" on this game, and as a result there are some levels that are just quite visually confusing. Quarantine Zone is one such example, featuring ruined, radioactive-looking megastructures, Flood infestation, snow (or is it nuclear fallout?), and a cool gondola ride at the end.
Snowbound: Halo 3's first Multiplayer snow map. What I mostly like about this level is the intricate level design and the way Bungie combined gameplay with storytelling. Covenant research bases and excavations link the different areas of this level, and the outer boundary is defined by sentry guns which will shoot at people who stray too far outside - a damn sight more imaginative than a sterile and contrived "return to the battlefield" message.
Bully Chapter 3. It's my favorite part of the game. I always make a save file just before it's over so that I can roam around the snowy town.
Because nobody else has yet to mention it, I have to go with the third obvious choice - Snowdin. Maybe it has to do with meeting a particular duo of skeletal brothers and going through their "puzzles", handling several dogs, making a promise with a snowman that has wanderlust, discovering its hidden secrets, or maybe just visiting the charming town, but it really depends on who you are. At least they're in season this time of year...
Since Ice Cap Zone and Phendrana Drifts have already been mentioned, I'll throw Rhoemer's Base from Syphon Filter into the hat.
You've tracked an international terrorist to a base in northern Kazakhstan equipped with long-range missiles. You need to use the cover of a blizzard to sneak in, retrieve the launch codes from the missiles to determine their origin, and plant charges at key fuel points along the way to destroy the place as you leave.
This mission, like the rest of the game (and series for that matter), is an absolute blast.
You've tracked an international terrorist to a base in northern Kazakhstan equipped with long-range missiles. You need to use the cover of a blizzard to sneak in, retrieve the launch codes from the missiles to determine their origin, and plant charges at key fuel points along the way to destroy the place as you leave.
This mission, like the rest of the game (and series for that matter), is an absolute blast.
Oh. Easy. Siberia from Timesplitters 2.
The nostalgia, the music, the setting, the goldeneye references doubling the nostalgia, the stellar gameplay, the hard-ass level if you don't know what you're doing...I should add it's still a challenge even if you do know what you're doing!
10/10.
Colossus from Spyro 2, as well! Yes, in most areas the snow is melted/melting, but it's still surely cold.
It's Spyro 2. It's a masterpeice.
The nostalgia, the music, the setting, the goldeneye references doubling the nostalgia, the stellar gameplay, the hard-ass level if you don't know what you're doing...I should add it's still a challenge even if you do know what you're doing!
10/10.
Colossus from Spyro 2, as well! Yes, in most areas the snow is melted/melting, but it's still surely cold.
It's Spyro 2. It's a masterpeice.
I knew I forgot something when I created the topic. That should have been my second pick for the opening post, had it not slipped my mind for some baffling reason. After all, Timesplitters 2 is still one of my most played games of all time and that's easily one of the best first levels of any game ever made and a great snow level on top of that.Headsprouter said:
There isn't a single level in Mini Ninjas that isn't magnificently beautiful, and that goes double for the snow-themed ones, but Snowy Canyon gets my nomination. While most of Mini Ninjas is serene and atmospheric, it can also deliver great thrill and spectacle when required - and Snowy Canyon showcases this with impressive gusto!
Undertale's Snowdin level is the first to come to mind, if only because it's where we meet Sans and Papyrus, two of the year's best characters.
Rayman Origins had that fun Gourmand Land level - which, admittedly, is half a snow level and half a fire level - as well as the Dragon Chef boss with some of the game's best music.
Finally, Journey's harrowing final stretch up the snowy mountain to reach the summit draws out equal parts despair and tenacity - then full-blown joy and exhilaration [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNgvc6c6Cc] upon receiving a certain divine favor in your time of greatest need.
Rayman Origins had that fun Gourmand Land level - which, admittedly, is half a snow level and half a fire level - as well as the Dragon Chef boss with some of the game's best music.
Finally, Journey's harrowing final stretch up the snowy mountain to reach the summit draws out equal parts despair and tenacity - then full-blown joy and exhilaration [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNgvc6c6Cc] upon receiving a certain divine favor in your time of greatest need.
The Painted World of Ariamis is perhaps the best designed level in the entirety of Dark Souls, which is absolutely replete with phenomenal level design. This is in part because it was designed as a prototype level, and thus didn't have to be rushed in any part. The entryway to it is gorgeous, it's got enemies you encounter nowhere else in the game, it loops back brilliantly, and has a very cool final encounter.
The snowy mountains in Twilight Princess were absolutely entrancing in 2006. That year there was hardly any snow, and to see such a howling blizzard accompanied by soothing music was just what I needed.
The snowy mountains in Twilight Princess were absolutely entrancing in 2006. That year there was hardly any snow, and to see such a howling blizzard accompanied by soothing music was just what I needed.
I loved the Hoth level in Star Wars Battlefront 2. It had great music, nice scale, large walking tanks and flying vehicles. It was one of the few land maps where I really felt like I was merely a small part of a large battle. Plus the tauntauns were a nice bonus.
The only downside was that the AI wasn't designed for it so you have a bunch of bots stupidly standing around shooting each other instead of using the bunkers and trenches as cover.
Runner ups are Snowblind from Battlefield: Bad Company 2 for the freeze/warmth mechanics and the Painted World of Ariamas in Dark Souls for the interesting yet challenging level design.
The only downside was that the AI wasn't designed for it so you have a bunch of bots stupidly standing around shooting each other instead of using the bunkers and trenches as cover.
Runner ups are Snowblind from Battlefield: Bad Company 2 for the freeze/warmth mechanics and the Painted World of Ariamas in Dark Souls for the interesting yet challenging level design.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/galleryoftheday/15194-8-of-the-Best-Snow-Levels-in-Video-Games
Good job guys.
I'm sad that my pick didn't make the cut, but hey, maybe I didn't sell it well enough.
Good job guys.
I'm sad that my pick didn't make the cut, but hey, maybe I didn't sell it well enough.
Hmmm hard one but I would have to say
Blizzard Buffalo's stage from MMX3.
It's just such a pretty stage with a chilling (shut up) soundtrack that perfectly conveys both the drama and atmosphere of the level.
The chime gives you a sense of coldness. That you are trekking through a arctic wasteland as the sun is going down on you leaving you with the cold glittering winter sky above. That this is a place where a battle was fought and lost hard by the protagonists.
The drums are thematically tied to the maverick as they mimic the sound of something massive pounding it's hooves into the ground.
And then the song picks up and illustrates and perfectly accompanies the drama of the stage as you travel through it. Sporadic snow storms. Enemies flinging themselves at you left and right.
Did I also mention it's a really freaking pretty level? Just look at that purple sky!
Blizzard Buffalo's stage from MMX3.
It's just such a pretty stage with a chilling (shut up) soundtrack that perfectly conveys both the drama and atmosphere of the level.
The chime gives you a sense of coldness. That you are trekking through a arctic wasteland as the sun is going down on you leaving you with the cold glittering winter sky above. That this is a place where a battle was fought and lost hard by the protagonists.
The drums are thematically tied to the maverick as they mimic the sound of something massive pounding it's hooves into the ground.
And then the song picks up and illustrates and perfectly accompanies the drama of the stage as you travel through it. Sporadic snow storms. Enemies flinging themselves at you left and right.
Did I also mention it's a really freaking pretty level? Just look at that purple sky!
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I agree with Phendrana Drifts from Metroid Prime and Syberia from TimeSplitters, though I must admit I find it rather odd that both Syphon Filter and Splinter Cell have been mentioned but no Metal Gear...
I mean because that's what I'm going with Shadow Mosses was great specially the initial part where the guards could track your footprints in the snow, and all that cool shit, great snow level, made good use of blizzards and everything.
I mean because that's what I'm going with Shadow Mosses was great specially the initial part where the guards could track your footprints in the snow, and all that cool shit, great snow level, made good use of blizzards and everything.