The Best Games About Climate Change

The Best Games About Climate Change

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the evolution of video games has been nothing short of remarkable. However, it’s not often that I come across a genre that resonates so deeply with real-world issues like climate change. The games listed here have not only provided engaging gameplay but also managed to subtly or overtly convey important messages about our environment.


As a gamer, I find myself immersed in ever-changing game narratives that reflect the realities of our world. With climate change looming larger by the day, it feels only right for this critical issue to seep into the gaming realm as well.

There are numerous perspectives on climate change, ranging from troubling images of environmental catastrophe to hopeful scenarios for a sustainable future. Countless video games have been developed to address this issue in creative and engaging ways.

8 Frostpunk

Hell Frozen Over

Among the games dealing with climate change, it’s challenging to locate one more grim than Frostpunk. This game is set in an alternate late-19th Century universe where a catastrophic ecological disaster has led to drastic cooling of global temperatures, causing widespread death as the remaining survivors build societies around colossal heaters known as Furnaces. These heaters barely keep small communities alive near them.

As a devoted enthusiast, I find myself shoulder-to-shoulder with the game’s protagonist, grappling with the daunting task of preparing a flourishing city for a week-long apocalyptic storm – a cataclysmic event that ranks among the most nerve-wracking ordeals in gaming, not forgetting the numerous other tense situations the game presents. Truly, Frostpunk stands as an exceptional post-apocalyptic city-builder, albeit one that rarely fails to induce stress.

7 Horizon Zero Dawn

Nature Reigns Supreme

In the promotion and unveiling of Horizon Zero Dawn, there was a significant enigma surrounding the fact that humanity had largely deteriorated into a pre-apocalyptic condition, with enormous robot creatures freely wandering across vast landscapes, taking over where human civilization once stood.

Without revealing any plot details, this is an unexpectedly heartfelt story about environmental decay, followed by renewal, orchestrated by the robots who now govern the Earth. As a result, nature gradually reclaims and reshapes the former human world into something breathtakingly gorgeous.

6 Anno 2070

The Future Is In Your Hands

In previous times, the future was often associated with optimism. However, these days, it’s challenging to envision what it could be like given the approaching tempest of climate change. A game like “Anno 2070” excels at addressing this issue in a captivating manner as one of the standout titles within the esteemed series.

In the upcoming scenario, gamers are tasked with constructing a city and maintaining its Eco Balance system effectively. This system is based on the amount of pollution emitted into the environment. While increased industrialization can yield improved efficiency and output, escalating sea levels pose a severe risk that could lead to catastrophic consequences. Achieving this balance is challenging, but the game accurately portrays the real-world dilemmas related to climate change as competing interests.

5 Death Stranding

The Ecological Apocalypse

In Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima masterfully portrays a world devastated by a peculiar environmental disaster known as Timefall, where rain accelerates aging of objects. Let’s momentarily put aside the topic of resurrected spirits for now.

In this setting, a heartbreakingly solitary world unfolds with most humans living in underground shelters or fortified cities, while the planet thrives back to its natural state. The protagonist, Sam Porter Bridges, navigates through this world using an assortment of distinct vehicles. It’s a blend of apocalyptic and breathtaking landscapes, offering a singular perspective on climate change.

4 Factorio

Nature Fights Back

Recently, factory games have become incredibly popular, offering an irresistible joy as they efficiently produce a vibrant array of items. Yet, in the case of Factorio, there’s a hidden nuisance that could potentially frustrate each player.

As it turns out, the planet upon which the player has arrived is not deserted, but rather the home of an insectoid race. This species becomes hostile towards the player due to the pollution emanating from their factory. Consequently, the player must engage in combat with these bugs, despite being the ones who invaded their territory. This scenario, presented humorously, offers a thought-provoking commentary on climate change and its motivations.

3 Civilization 6

The Gathering Storm

When the “Gathering Storm” expansion pack came out for “Civilization 6”, some gamers were hesitant about how the game was handling climate change dynamics, as “Civ 6” is set predominantly in historical times when such ecological shifts weren’t a major concern.

Instead, what emerged was an intricate network of global carbon emission systems, intertwined among all societies, leading to escalating sea levels and consequences for civilizations with excessive emissions. Although it may not be understated, it effectively conveys its message using captivating mechanisms.

2 Terra Nil

Rejuvenate The World

Discussing climate change can often spark debate, especially when it comes to finding solutions. In such cases, it might be more productive to let experts handle it. That’s precisely what the game Terra Nil does, serving as an excellent strategy game for beginners to explore.

In this engaging game, players take on the challenge of transforming a barren wasteland into a lush, thriving ecosystem. The objective is to strategically gather power sources, collect resources for regenerating nature, and ultimately leave the land better than they found it without any trace of their presence. It’s an enjoyable and hopeful game that’s definitely worth checking out!

1 Final Fantasy 7

Mako Makes Might

In a fresh and engaging manner, let me rephrase: Final Fantasy 7 was not only innovative beyond measure in numerous aspects at its time of release, but it has more recently garnered accolades for tackling topics such as climate change and conservation. Interestingly, the game allows players to assume control over eco-activists who can be considered as ‘eco-terrorists’ within the context of the storyline.

In this game, you assume the identity of Cloud and his band of companions, who at various points form Avalanche – an organization committed to dismantling the Shinra Corporation. This corporation exploits a rare planetary resource called Mako, frequently referred to as the planet’s life essence, for their financial gain. Employing players as eco-activists is a daring move that effectively resonates in the contemporary remake series.

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2024-10-26 12:04