The 10 best games for a hot summer

Summer is in full swing: the sun is shining brightly, birds are singing, and a pleasant breeze is blowing. If you also dislike what's happening outside your cozy and beloved home, we recommend immersing yourself in the summer atmosphere with the help of video games.

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We have prepared a list of 10 titles that will also give you a unique vibe. Sitting in a comfortable gaming chair, you won't feel like you're missing out on the rest of the hot days. 

Tropico 6

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Welcome to the banana republic where rum flows freely, and the (sometimes benevolent) dictator watches every step. But does it matter when you have a beautiful view of the azure ocean, yellow sands, and even a pirate cave from which desperate "heroes" set out to raid and steal the Statue of Liberty or the Pyramids of Egypt?

Enough with the formalities, let's dive into the gameplay. This is a city-building simulator where you need to develop your state so that all the residents are happy. Otherwise, they will overthrow the "beloved" ruler with torches and pitchforks, especially if they are starving or living in shacks. Besides managing citizens, you must also monitor foreign relations and prevent (or win) wars.

With each new era, new buildings and allies become available. You'll start with carts and progress to cars and even drones that can transport goods. You can also develop tourism, allowing visitors to stay in luxurious hotels, go on tours to stolen wonders of the world, and drink rum... LOTS OF RUM! All of this is accompanied by vibrant summer graphics and excellent humor.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

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This Nintendo product has captured the hearts of many gamers. Here, players get a ticket to a deserted island, where a fun virtual life with a cool summer vibe begins.

Unlike previous installments, this time you have to start from scratch. You'll choose from four islands and then decide where to place your home. There are many survival elements, so your character will need to gather resources, craft items, fish, catch insects, study recipes, and much more. There’s hardly any time to relax on the sandy beaches with the sun warming your feet.

You won't be idle because you need to earn currency. There are two types — bells and miles. Bells can be earned by selling found items, and miles by completing quests. Naturally, the money is spent on various upgrades and new items.

This is an excellent title to relax, explore locations, take care of tasks, or peacefully fish and ponder the good life on the island.

Horizon Forbidden West

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If you thought you'd just be relaxing, think again. It's time to put in some effort and embark on an unforgettable journey as Aloy. You’ll enter a post-apocalyptic world, essentially after the fall of everything. Don’t rush to judge this project: it’s far from boring, difficult, or too stressful. It has a unique atmosphere that hypnotizes you from the first minutes and doesn't let go until the end.

In addition to the stunning graphics, there are plenty of activities. You can spend time on a board game or racing on a Charger. There are also tasks to find vantage points, which is not always easy.

The combat system is worth mentioning. Many players will appreciate that it can be tailored to their play style. The main character will have to fight giant mechanical monsters, and you have a variety of options: traps, stealth, or standard attacks from a distance or up close.

The world and quests may be somewhat predictable, but this isn’t a major drawback. HFW is an incredibly beautiful game where everyone can enjoy breathtaking views.

My Time at Portia

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For those who prefer a summer break with all the charms of farming — animals, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lovely evenings after a productive day — My Time at Portia offers several unforgettable hours of cozy, relaxing gameplay.

In addition to growing crops and building, you'll complete quests, explore small dungeons for resources, and furnish your home. Similar to Stardew Valley, each building in the town has working hours, so you'll need to manage your time and energy to complete orders on time. Gradually, your character will evolve from an unskilled novice into a gardener, craftsman, carpenter, builder, archaeologist, and warrior. Thanks to your efforts, the town will noticeably improve.

Don't think life here is simple, though. The main character has a rival who will compete with and even belittle you. But is that a problem when your character has an entire town of potential friends? They will be grateful for everything you do, invite you to parties and walks, and even give you birthday presents.

Palia

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Palia is another project that offers players a summer mood. Farming and MMO — how about that? It's better described as a life simulator with a small online community, where players craft, fish, cook, and interact with other users. First, you'll need to reach a place to build your home and its surrounding elements.

However, there's a catch. To build a house, you must gather stone and wood (these skills level up the fastest compared to others), load them into a special device, and wait a few hours for boards and bricks to appear. During this time, you can explore the world. Then, you'll have to wait another eight hours for the building to be constructed. Is it cool? Not really. This waiting can be quite discouraging.

In addition to the endless grind, the game features quests. Neighbors will either visit you personally or send letters with requests. You can't skip these: they must be completed. After all, this is a farm and life simulator.

Final Fantasy XV

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You can definitely catch a summer vibe here as players embark on a fun and engaging journey with virtual friends, battling monsters and taking trips in the famous Regalia. You can even camp out under the stars instead of staying in hotel rooms, enjoying fresh and delicious food that boosts character stats.

The beautiful locations are mesmerizing, perfect for capturing screenshots to use as desktop backgrounds (or you can rely on Prompto, who always runs around with a camera taking great photos of friends and scenery). Players will especially love the city of Altissia, which resembles Venice. With its stunning architecture, beautiful lighting, gondola rides, and Princess Luna waiting for her beloved Prince Noctis, it’s a sight to behold.

Moreover, the game features a luxurious storyline and a very intriguing character reminiscent of Captain Jack Sparrow. Who is he? What does he want from the main characters? How is he connected to the Empire? Expect unexpected plot twists, drama, humor, strong friendships, excellent chemistry between the characters, and memorable adventures in FF15.

Tekken 8

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It's time to fight and shed some blood! What's summery about this? Check out the intense battles in Tekken 8. Even sunscreen won't save you from the heat, so get ready to hone your skills to achieve victory after victory. We've prepared some guides on characters like Reina, Dragunov, and Azucena for you.

There are 32 characters available, each with their own story. Essentially, this is a cool fighting game where you can relax with a friend and beat each other up, testing your friendship. There's also a single-player mode with an interesting storyline to explore.

Animal Well

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This pixel indie project captivates from the first moments. Bright colors on a dark background create a mystical atmosphere, resembling a nighttime safari, perfect for a summer mood. The game has received many positive reviews, and it was created by just one person.

At first, it might seem chaotic: a droplet-like creature emerges from a flower and starts running around locations filled with other creatures like squirrels, cats, and rabbits. Soon, a goal emerges — to find four sources of fire. This won't be easy, as larger, stronger creatures constantly try to devour your character. Plus, a ghostly cat follows you around.

The game is full of puzzles and mysteries for the player to solve. For example, what are the altars you need to bring fire to? What is the egg you find at the start if you go left instead of right? And what’s with that cat?! You'll find answers to all these questions as you play through Animal Well.

Unicorn Overlord

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If you've always dreamed of being a prince who isn't constantly sent on errands like some boy (yes, Noctis?), then you should definitely try Unicorn Overlord. Here, you'll be a deposed prince leading a rebellion. The main character commands a liberation army, exploring the world map while enemy forces patrol contested areas. The game combines tactical RPG elements with world exploration.

Combat missions and the global map are presented in a top-down view. Almost every quest involves building your base to later capture the enemy’s (or just defeat the main villain). The terrain affects unit movement, such as forests slowing them down. You have a limited amount of time to complete missions, but fortunately, there's a pause feature.

Unicorn Overlord features about 40 classes, each with unique abilities. The squad also has a stamina meter that depletes only during battles. When stamina drops to zero, the unit can’t move but can still fight. To restore stamina, you can eat or drink a potion. Battles, building barricades, strategic unit placement, and skill upgrades are all part of the Unicorn Overlord experience.

Dead or Alive: Xtreme 3

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Here, the summer atmosphere, beach relaxation, and charming ladies in swimsuits are on full display. You can relax as if you're on vacation by the ocean and watch the girls have fun. But what's so interesting about this? If you try the game, you'll understand that the camera angles, body physics, and revealing outfits are designed with purpose.

You need to choose one of the offered heroines and send her to play volleyball (and you can slap more than just the ball). You can also have photo sessions, decorate rooms, and select swimsuits. Each swimsuit has stats that affect the chance of winning in tournaments. It’s the perfect game to relax your mind and body.

We've completed the top 10 cool summer games that will help you spend the remaining warm days in a pleasant atmosphere.

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