I’m simply going to get this joke out of the way in which: Fall Guys is essentially the most autumnal online game. There we go. You could chortle and guffaw to your coronary heart’s content material, after which we’ll begin the remainder of this extraordinarily area of interest, very particular article. You completed? Good. Okay.
So! It’s Autumn, or Fall, relying on whether or not you are in Blighty or ‘Murica, as of the twenty second September. For a few of you, meaning crunching your approach by way of crisp orange leaves on the way in which to high school; for others, it means getting the nice and cozy duvets out of storage; for me specifically, it signifies that I get to eat a ton of pie and drink sizzling chocolate, and nobody will get to evaluate me. (Seriously, individuals are bizarre about having sizzling drinks in warm-ish climate! I ordered a sizzling toddy at a bar the opposite day and so they laughed at me! IT’S ON YOUR MENU, MATE.)
It’s simple to get within the autumn temper with music, motion pictures and TV — simply stick on Hocus Pocus or Over The Garden Wall, get the fireside roaring, and put Neil Young’s Harvest on the audio system. Mmm, cosy. But can video video games evoke that very same sweater climate vibe? Yes, they will. Hence this checklist.
The Most Autumnal Video Game Levels
Mario Kart Wii – Maple Treeway
This might be the one which instantly jumped into the minds of many — a kart-based jaunt by way of the falling leaves of wherever Maple Treeway is. It’s not one of many programs that is primarily based on a selected space, though the presence of Wigglers makes it clear that it is someplace in Super Mario Land, however there’s one thing particular about this course all the identical.
Driving by way of leaf piles, winding by way of tree trunks, and getting fired out of a big cannon — is there something extra autumnal?
Sonic Adventure 2 – Pumpkin Hill
Pumpkin Hill has all of it relating to the spooky season, which is mainly synonymous with Autumn. Sonic’s frenemy Knuckles has to discover round this Halloween-themed stage, with pumpkins, ghosts, graves, bats, and skeletons, however essentially the most memorable factor about Pumpkin Hill is, after all, the rap. Let’s check out a few of these lyrics:
Let it get to me? I’m simply gonna creep,
Down in Pumpkin Hill I gots to search out my misplaced piece.
I do know that it is right here, I sense it in my toes,
The nice Emerald’s energy permits me to really feel.
I can not see a factor but it surely’s round someplace,
I gotta maintain my head, I’ve no worry.
It in all probability appears loopy, loopy, a graveyard concept,
A ghost tried to strategy me, he received leery.
Iconic.
Super Mario Galaxy – Gold Leaf Galaxy
You know in Star Trek how there are planets with One Defining Characteristic, like “we’re the planet that hates water”, or “everyone on this planet only eats worms”? Well, Super Mario Galaxy constructed on that concept with galaxies like this one.
In Gold Leaf Galaxy, the One Defining Characteristic is “Autumn”, and we aren’t complaining. This galaxy is populated by bees, which is a standard theme in Super Mario Galaxy for no matter cause, and options a number of orange-hued planets. Much like Maple Treeway, Wigglers are featured as a kind of autumnal enemy, in addition to Cataquacks, Undergrunts, and Flipbugs.
Paper Mario: The Origami King – Autumn Mountain
The Origami King does fascinating issues with color, making a world that is deeper and richer-toned than previous Mario video games. Autumn Mountain is not any completely different, swapping the standard orangey leaves for a a lot darker pink and a buttery yellow. Even the collectibles on this stage are a bit of extra autumnal than normal, with Toads being folded into maple leaves and bugs, and a hidden Fallen Leaves treasure underneath the steps.
Fun truth: The French title for this space is Mont Évermeil, a play on the phrases for vibrant pink, vermeil, and “to fill with wonder”, émerveiller.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – Autumn Heights
Autumn Heights is the second world in Tropical Freeze, modelled after the cuckoo clocks and rolling hills of Switzerland with an additional serving to of decaying leaves. DK and buddies will traverse by way of minecart tracks, air balloon platforms, and a number of cheese-related ranges earlier than reaching the ultimate boss — an enormous, offended owl known as Skowl.
Super Mario World – Autumnal Dinosaur Land
Autumn is a secret unlockable different color palette in Super Mario World, which you will get after finishing the ultimate stage of the Special Zone — or, within the sequel, Super Mario Advance 2, however finishing all 96 exits.
This color swap does not simply change the inexperienced of the grass and bushes to a stunning orange, although. Some enemies may even change look: Piranha Plants develop into little pumpkins on stalks, Bullet Bills flip into black birds, Koopas flip into orange variations of Mario for some cause, and in Super Mario Advance 2, Goombas flip yellow and put on sun shades.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons – Autumn
Oracle of Seasons has all of the seasons. One of these seasons is Autumn. In truth, it is the ultimate seasonal spirit that you just get, after finishing the Tower of Autumn (which is the place all of the Autumn is stored). This season permits you to decide Rock Mushrooms and Pegasus Seeds, in addition to protecting up holes with fallen leaves.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – The Akkala area
Breath of the Wild does not have seasons, however the wonderful colors of the Akkala area, the place Tarrey Town and the Ancient Tech Lab will be discovered, are paying homage to everybody’s favorite time of yr. When it rains in Akkala, you simply wish to take shelter within the close by secure and drink sizzling cocoa till the rain subsides. It’s pretty.
Banjo Kazooie – Click Clock Wood
Click Clock Wood is a deciduous forest, and you realize what meaning: Red leaves, child! Banjo and his backpack buddy Kazooie should enter Click Clock Wood throughout all 4 seasons to finish the realm, and most of the puzzles inside revolve round how the surroundings modifications in every season. In Autumn, you may get the possibility to fulfill Gnawty, the useful beaver, go to the Tree House, and witness the blooming of Gobi’s stunning flower. It’s the most effective season. Obviously.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch – Golden Grove
As its moniker suggests, Golden Grove is a fiery-orange wooded space throughout the Summerlands, the place dappled gentle filters by way of tender yellow and orange leaves. It makes for a restorative glade the place you possibly can take a breather between the start of the sport and the way more troublesome Shimmering Sands, in addition to add some cute little Familiars just like the Napcap and the Pom Pom to your get together.
Pokémon Coronary heartGold and SoulSilver – Bellchime Trail
Bellchime Trail, which is a brief path between Ecruteak City and the Bell Tower the place Ho-Oh used to dwell, is described as “bathed in sunset” — a ravishing description for a ravishing place. It is probably not huge, but it surely’s serene, with no wild Pokémon encounters and loads of hidden objects to maintain you snuffling round its golden leaves.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Autumn
Since that is an autumnal stage that you would be able to solely go to in precise Autumn, barring time-travel shenanigans, it is value benefiting from. It’s a lot quieter than Spring and Summer, with fewer fish and bugs to catch, but it surely nonetheless gives heat and cosiness within the type of Mushroom furnishings, acorns and pine cones, Turkey Day, and, after all, Halloween.
Stardew Valley – Autumn
In your first yr of Stardew Valley, this is perhaps the season the place you begin to really feel like issues are going your approach. Spring is normally spent studying the ropes; Summer is all about revenue; however Autumn is a superb time to put money into Winter-proofing your farm with animals and a greenhouse. Corn, cranberries, yams and pumpkins are all excellent for creating that harvesty vibe, and to high all of it off, Stardew’s bushes flip attractive shades of purple, maroon, and burgundy.
The Games That Are Actually Set In Autumn
Firewatch
Okay, sure. Firewatch is apparently set within the Spring of 1989. But you possibly can’t idiot us, Campo Santo. Orange is the color of Autumn, and Firewatch is very orange. Who cares if it is technically not precise Autumn if it makes us really feel the way in which Autumn feels?
Night within the Woods
Night within the Woods’ environmental decay is a mirror to the social and financial decay of its setting, the previous mining city of Possum Springs. Trees shed their leaves as a backdrop to this story of loss, grief, confusion, and disassociation — of all of the video games on this checklist, NITW is the one one that actually explores the darkish aspect of Autumn.
Life is Strange
Autumn additionally occurs to be the beginning of faculty for a lot of nations, and that is the case for Max Caulfield, a younger girl returning to her hometown, getting reacquainted with outdated pals, and discovering her potential to rewind time. Life is Strange attracts quite a lot of its inspirations from the small-town nostalgia and discomforting claustrophobia of Twin Peaks, and its Pacific Northwest setting helps the sport really feel suitably autumnal to match.
Mmm, we’re actually within the temper for a comfortable Autumn now. While we go placed on a pleasant knitted jumper, make ourselves a cup of mulled cider, and take a look at not to consider how Winter (and 2023) is simply across the nook, inform us within the feedback if you happen to’ve received any favorite Autumn ranges or video games — or if there are any video games you wish to play at any time when October rolls round.
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