Winter. The season of dark mornings, cold noses, and that constant craving for hot chocolate that never quite goes away. The months when the idea of venturing There’s something about winter that makes me want to disappear into a massive RPG and not come out until spring. Maybe it’s the cold, maybe it’s the darkness, or maybe it’s just the fact that I can finally justify spending entire weekends indoors without feeling guilty about it. Whatever the reason, when the frost sets in, I want a world to get lost in. I want sprawling cities, dramatic character arcs, and turn-based battles that take longer than it does to cook a roast.
If you’re the same, grab a blanket, make yourself a cuppa, and settle in. These are the best long, story-heavy RPGs to cosy up with during the long winter months.
Baldur’s Gate 3
There was never any doubt that this one would top the list. Baldur’s Gate 3 is the sort of game that eats time for breakfast and still asks for seconds. Larian Studios have somehow built a fantasy world so rich that you could spend weeks inside it and still discover something new every time you load your save.
This is the perfect winter companion because it gives you so much freedom. You can wander off, pick a fight with a goblin, talk your way out of it, fall in love with a vampire, and then burn an entire village down because you sneezed in the wrong direction. Every playthrough feels different, and every decision feels like it matters.
What makes it perfect for cold nights is the pacing. It never rushes you. You can spend hours exploring one area, fiddling with inventory management, or having deep moral debates with your party while the fire crackles in the background. It is the ultimate slow-burn game. Brew a cup of tea, pull a blanket over your knees, and watch your weekend vanish.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Few games feel as nostalgic and comforting as Final Fantasy VII Remake. Even if you never played the original, there is something about this world that hits just right when the nights draw in. The glowing lights of Midgar, the hum of reactors, and the way the mako dust floats in the air like snow all feel designed to be played in winter.
The combat is satisfying, the characters are more alive than ever, and the story still packs the emotional punch that made it legendary in the first place. It manages to be both cinematic and deeply personal, and that balance makes it the perfect slow burner for the colder months.
If you are the kind of person who likes to sit back and soak in a game’s atmosphere, this is your pick. The city feels alive, the soundtrack is pure magic, and every boss fight feels like a major event. By the time the credits roll, you will be emotionally drained in the best possible way.
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal is the definition of a time sink, and that is exactly what winter calls for. It is long, stylish, and bursting with personality. You play as a student by day and a supernatural thief by night, balancing friendship, schoolwork, and demon-slaying in a way that somehow feels completely natural.
It is one of the most relaxing long games you can play. There is something oddly satisfying about the daily loop. You wake up, go to class, maybe hang out with friends, then dive into a dungeon to battle monsters that look like they walked straight out of a fever dream. It is part slice-of-life, part supernatural adventure, and all heart.
The best bit is that it feels warm. The characters become your friends, the music wraps around you like a blanket, and even though the story goes to dark places, there is always that underlying sense of hope. It is the kind of game that makes you miss it once it is over.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
If you want a winter game that feels like winter, it does not get much better than The Witcher 3. From the snow-covered peaks of Skellige to the gloomy forests of Velen, every inch of this world feels drenched in atmosphere. It is the perfect game for when the wind is howling outside and you want to disappear somewhere grim and beautiful.
Geralt’s world is not exactly comforting, but it is endlessly captivating. The storytelling is still unmatched, and the side quests are so well written that even the smallest task can spiral into an emotional rollercoaster. You can spend entire evenings hunting monsters, brewing potions, or getting drunk with your witcher mates in Kaer Morhen.
It is one of those games that rewards slow, thoughtful play. You do not rush through it. You wander, you explore, you listen to the soundtrack hum in the background, and you lose yourself completely. If you have not played it since launch, this winter is the perfect time to revisit it, especially with the next-gen version looking better than ever.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Now for something on the Japanese side of the RPG spectrum. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a huge, emotional adventure with a world so big it makes you want to book a week off work. It is packed with dramatic storytelling, weirdly loveable characters, and more philosophical musings than your average university course.
What makes it perfect for winter is the way it pulls you in slowly. You start with a small party of soldiers trapped in a world at war, and before you know it you are knee-deep in a story about fate, identity, and rebellion. The combat is deep without being overwhelming, and the music is absolutely stunning.
There is a sense of quiet melancholy that runs through the game that suits the season perfectly. It is about loss and connection, about finding warmth in a cold world. It is the kind of game that makes you think while also giving you an excuse to stay under the blanket for just one more hour.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
If you prefer your JRPGs bright, cheerful, and filled with charm, Dragon Quest XI is the ideal winter companion. It is pure comfort gaming. Everything about it feels designed to make you smile, from the colourful art style to the upbeat soundtrack that sounds like it should be played by a marching band on Christmas morning.
It is a traditional turn-based RPG in the best way. You know exactly what you are getting, and it delivers that with so much polish and heart that it never feels old-fashioned. The story is surprisingly touching, the cast is full of lovable weirdos, and it strikes that perfect balance between challenge and relaxation.
You can easily lose 100 hours here and still find yourself smiling at the smallest details. It is like curling up with a good fantasy novel, only with more slimes and swords.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
The Yakuza series has always been perfect for winter, but Like a Dragon takes that comfort to another level. It swaps the usual brawler combat for turn-based RPG battles, adds a party of lovable misfits, and throws you into the neon-lit streets of Yokohama. It is heartfelt, hilarious, and completely bonkers in all the best ways.
Ichiban Kasuga might be the most likeable protagonist in modern gaming. He is an optimist to the point of delusion, but his energy is infectious. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will definitely get distracted by karaoke for several hours.
The world feels alive and packed with things to do, from business management to kart racing. It is the perfect “one more quest” game, and before you know it you will have lost entire weekends to it. If you want an RPG that is big, funny, and surprisingly moving, this is the one.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Sometimes winter calls for a strategy RPG, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses delivers that and then some. You play as a teacher at a magical academy, guiding your students through lessons and battles while deciding which of them might accidentally end up starting a war.
The mix of tactical combat and relationship-building makes it incredibly addictive. You start off thinking you are just going to play for half an hour, and then you realise you have spent the whole evening trying to pair up students or decide which one gets the good sword.
It is a game full of warmth, even when the story gets bleak. Watching your students grow and bond gives it an emotional edge that makes the big moments hit harder. It is the perfect slow-burn strategy game for long, quiet evenings.
Winter is not the time for short attention spans. It is the time for big stories, big worlds, and big feelings. Whether you are saving the realm, slaying monsters, or just managing your social life in a Tokyo high school, the best RPGs make you forget how cold it is outside.
So make yourself a brew, turn the lights low, and get comfortable. The snow can fall, the nights can drag, and the world can freeze over for all you care. You have quests to finish, friendships to forge, and enough side missions to last until spring.