We love biomes in video games. Even this word is inherently associated with video games, despite the fact that it originated as part of proper adult geographical terminology. In this magnificent themed pantheon… is there anything better than a good old Christmas level?
By the way, I differentiate the Christmas level from the Snow level. There is a difference. While the snow level Maybe Be nice and hospitable, comfort is not guaranteed.
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There is little comfort in this Metroid PrimePhendrana Drifts. Uncharted 2Winter sequence definitely not warm and fuzzy. IN Sonic 3Ice caps, sharp ice shards and avalanches are trying to kill you. Certainly, ZeldaThe ruins of Snow Peak perfectly balance out the winter crowds and the threat of dungeon exploration. But I like the real Christmas levels the most because they Always I think it's cozy. At least the good ones.
The best one, for my money, is Banjo-KazooieFreezy Peak, a wonderful corner of a winter wonderland. Taking roughly half of Banjo and Kazooie's adventure through Gruntilda's Lair and its surrounding worlds, this level isn't supposed to be easy and light, and it isn't. But even though it presents an appropriate challenge, it's just… welcoming.
There are several levels that are so heavily themed around a specific time of year, perhaps out of concern that the game can be played all year round and therefore doesn't have to specifically feel like Christmas or anything like that. However, Banjo is totally in on it. Freezeezy Peak is the most egregious, but it's true that when I think of Halloween in games, Mad Monster Mansion always tops the list. If you're looking for a summer seaside vibe, Treasure Trove Cove comes to mind. This is a game that has always hammered home the themes of its levels, and its developers had a clear belief that such a thing as too much when it came to its subject matter.
So here you don't just get a random snow level like in the modern Cool, Cool Mountain from Super Mario 64but specifically festive charm. Since Grant Kirkhope brilliant theme for the level begins, they tell you: this is not just a snow stage. This Christmas scene. He does his best to evoke that cheerful spirit.
The entrance to the level is shaped like an advent calendar, with our heroes entering one of the doors. Inside the scene, you're suddenly sledding, hunting down Christmas gifts for the neglected children of an irresponsible father too busy sledding to look after his children, and completing a series of platforming and combat missions to literally decorate the tree with twinkling lights and then turn them on.
I truly believe this is probably the best Christmas themed level of all time.
Of course, there are other games that capture Christmas just as well. The way it wraps brutal action in the trappings of a Die Hard-style holiday is the best thing about other heady films. Dead Rising 4. The same is, to some extent, true for Spider-Man: Miles Morales And Batman Arkham Origins. Thinking about Christmas V games, I remember fondly the depiction of the holiday period in Terrorize.
I also, showing my age, remember being amazed by the “Christmas DLC” Sonic adventure on the Dreamcast, which simply consisted of overdubbing Christmas music and randomly plopping Christmas trees on stages. To be honest, this update that hit the internet in 2000 seemed pretty darn magical. I'm also thinking about Elf Bowling, a weird free computer game where Santa Claus bowls with elves as pins. The elves will taunt you if you miss. Sometimes the pinsetter would decapitate them. Honestly, it doesn't look too Christmassy.
But yes. The best of them, in my opinion, is Freezeezy Peak. What's actually funny is that Banjo-Kazooie came out in the summer, so I almost certainly never played that game or level when I was growing up. V Christmas – but god, this level is etched in my mind. I'm sure you've had similar experiences – I'd love to read about them in the comments below.
