The seasons are turning over after a long winter. Plants are growing, the sun is shining, and people are going outside to enjoy the weather. Of course, not everyone rushes into the great outdoors on beautiful days, notably gamers. Video games aren't usually associated with the freshness of springtime. On the contrary, they tend to pair better with rainy days and darkened rooms.
That said, the wide world of gaming is capable of creating all sorts of sensations and experiences. In fact, some of them do carry a feeling of spring: bright skies and new life. It runs contrary to the stereotypical view of games as gritty action simulations, but quite a few are devoted to celebrating and nurturing life rather than ending it. For the season-conscious gamer, here are a handful of games appropriate for springtime.
12 Okami
As the Sun God, Amaterasu's game is full of sunshine and nature. Demons explode into bursts of flowers upon death, and withered plants bloom with flowers, all symbolizing the triumph of life over death. In fact, several of Amaterasu's abilities directly inspire plants to grow: a simple tap of the brush is enough to cause flowers to bloom. Coupled with a wide world to explore, and Okami makes an excellent springtime game.
11 Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is one of the hottest indies around, and is built in the style of old school Harvest Moon. Though the game does cycle through all four seasons, it starts out in spring, and the theme of growth carries throughout the game. In addition to growing crops and raising animals, the player is tasked with restoring the entire farm to its former glory, and eventually revitalizing the community itself, all with the help of some friendly nature spirits.
10 Plants vs. Zombies
Plants and sunshine are your weapons in this tower defense series. It's a simple game, but the theme is just right. Grow a massive garden, generate sunlight, and maybe use the lawnmowers when things get a bit messy. Zombies, admittedly, aren't usually associated with springtime, but everything else is themed correctly. Other options from the series include the sequel, on mobile devices, and the shooter spinoff Garden Warfare, but the first is still the best: it even includes a "Zen Garden" feature for players in the mood to soak up some nature.
9 Pikmin 3
The Pikmin series is all about growing plants and taking walks through nature, although perhaps a bit more hostile than a usual nature walk.
It's full of the usual Nintendo charm, with bright flowers and colorful creatures against a strategy backdrop, and the central mechanic is growing and "harvesting" the little plant creatures known as Pikmin. The second and third games do start in a wintry environment, but soon change to sprawling fields of plant life.
8 Grounded
A unique take on the survival genre, Grounded puts the player in the role of a kid who has shrunk down to the size of an insect. It takes place in an average backyard, and brings forward a great deal of childhood playground energy, even when the size-induced hazards of the setting end up being more dire than the usual trek to the backyard. The game is still in early access, but its unique perspective promises a springtime trek to remember.
7 Chibi-Robo
For a more "spring-cleaning" spin on things, Chibi-Robo is a lesser-known Gamecube game about cleaning up a family home as a miniature robot helper. Despite most of the game taking place indoors, it maintains a sunny, refreshing feeling throughout, and it even allows the player to grow and water plants. The series didn't last long, its sequels underperforming and eventually dying out, but the original still holds up as a charming and uplifting game.
6 Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Pokemon has always been about exploring in the tall grass on a sunny day, but Legends takes the outdoors aspect of the series to new heights. The entire game is like a long form nature walk, complete with foraging for plants and hiding from wild creatures.
Some of it takes place in snowy mountain ranges, which aren't especially springlike, but much of it is bright grassland and forest. Many Pokemon games carry a fresh spring feeling, such as recent Sword and Shield with their semi-open world, but Legends: Arceus is the series' pinnacle of wilderness exploration.
5 Flower
A simple, short game that is nevertheless a well-regarded indie classic, Flower originally released on PS3 but has since been ported to PS4 and mobile. The player controls a single petal, floating on the breeze, as a depiction of a flower's dream. As it travels, it gathers a whole stream of petal followers that can affect the environment. It's pure exploration and interaction, with no fail condition or obstacle, making it a relaxing floral experience.
4 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Any Animal Crossing game is good to play in springtime, seeing as the season outside is reflected in-game. New Horizons, however, is especially appropriate, as the game's emphasis on reclaiming the wilderness gives it an extra outdoorsy touch befitting the season. Players choose where to set up their budding town, and can choose how much civilization to impose on the environment; none, if they prefer a true campout lifestyle.
3 Farming Simulator 22
Some people may question the existence of this high-quality farming simulation, but the customer is always right: the Farming Simulator series has sold more than 25 million copies, and has been running since 2008. Unlike farming titles such as Stardew Valley, Farming Simulator makes an effort to recreate real-life farming equipment and techniques, including many real-world brands. For the player who wishes they had acres of land to cultivate, this is the ideal experience.
2 Viva Pinata
An older series first released on the Xbox 360. Despite its name, Viva Pinata has a lot to do with farming. It's set in a dilapidated garden which the player must restore. The titular pinatas are the garden's residents, and the player raises them alongside the plant life, encouraging growth and guarding them against hostile pinatas. Although the overall theme is unusual for a farming game, it remains a fondly-remembered Rareware title (that hasn't been seen in a long while).
1 Mobile Games
The sun is out and the weather's good, so it might actually be worth going outside. There's no reason to stop gaming away from home, though! There are more ways than ever to game on the go. Modern mobile games, like Fortnite or Genshin Impact, rival home console games in terms of graphics and complexity of gameplay. The Nintendo Switch is known for its ability to "switch" between stationary and portable modes. For a more expensive option, there's the Steam Deck, a portable system allowing access to an entire library of Steam games anywhere. Whatever the situation, it's always a good time for gaming- as long as you keep your own health in mind along with your character's.