Games To Help Survive The Summer Heat

I don't know about you lot, but this heat has been absolutely brutal for me. I stand, I sweat; I sit, I sweat; I game, I sweat. It is the worst when, after a long day at work, you just want to sit and game but it is so warm that you just can't seem to enjoy it. So, I decided to make a list of a few games that are either easy to play, super flexible to pick up and put down, can be played on any device, or are short enough to enjoy a full playthrough in a few hours.

Let's get to it!

1. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined

Platforms: Switch 1/2, PS5, Xbox S/X, PC

For me, this game is my current main story game, and it is perfect for this weather. Thanks to my MSI Claw handheld, I can play this game anywhere, and with its incredibly easy recap system, it is easy to remember where I left off. Whenever you load your save, it will ask if you would like a recap. If you select yes, you are given a quick few paragraphs telling you about where you are in the story; you also get this for your side missions, telling you your current progress in them. This is such a nice feature, meaning I can put the game down for a few days and pick it back up without feeling lost.

The game itself takes place with you exploring multiple islands on a ship, with each having a unique story linked to them. They are fun and easy, and while some can be quite sad, it never feels heavy. The game itself constantly has this grand summer adventure vibe which you can't help but link with One Piece. This, mixed with the quirky, cartoonish art style (which looks amazing in my opinion) and fun-looking characters and enemies, makes this game a real summer treat.

The only slightly painful side is that you can only save at certain locations, so sometimes you have to continue a run slightly longer than you'd like, especially in a dungeon. But overall, it has been a true summer treat so far, and I can't wait to review it completely when I am finished.

2. Balatro

Platforms: Switch 1/2, PS4/5, Xbox S/X, PC, Mobile

I think I have mentioned once before just how obsessed I am with Balatro. It seems to be a simple game of Poker at the start, and then you blink and suddenly you've been playing for four hours, desperate to try and find that Joker that makes your run perfect. I absolutely love this game, and now that it is downloadable on your phone, it is my go-to when I want to kill some time while out and about.

The best thing is that, thanks to it being on your phone, you can play it anywhere. I have played it multiple times on a plane, at the swimming pool, by the beach, while waiting for my girlfriend to try on new clothes, or simply next to my aircon in the bedroom because I'm melting. It is so easy to pick it up and have a few games before simply closing it again, as it will instantly save your run to pick right back up when you next boot it up.

I will warn you, though, this game is a time destroyer—not because it takes long or is difficult, but because you will end up spending a whole night awake trying to get that perfect card combo. Don't blame me if you jump on it in the evening and then suddenly see sunlight coming through your curtains...

3. Diablo 4

Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/S/X

I will say this is more for a veteran fan who has beaten the game and is just rerunning each season. Diablo 4 is a weird one for this list, but stick with me. For a first-time player, I would seriously recommend you get super invested in the story and the lore of the world—it is really great and you won't be disappointed. However, for someone who has completed the story multiple times (like me), this game is the ultimate comfort game. It is the true example of a "podcast game" which you can just play while listening to some tunes or half-watching a YouTube video. It is like a good fast-food place: it's quick, hits the spot, and is super easy to enjoy. You just run around tweaking your build slightly and watch the countless hordes of enemies explode.

If you want a more intense encounter, then you can run hard mode. However, if you just want a chill, fun experience, rerunning Diablo with the seasonal content is a perfect experience, whether for a few hours or an entire hot afternoon. The flexibility of this game is super satisfying, and once you have had enough, you can just log out at any time without any punishment (other than maybe having to rerun a dungeon you were halfway through).

Plus, it makes things feel more realistic when your room is just as hot as the hell you are fighting through...

4. Golf Story

Platforms: Switch ½

I don't usually include Nintendo-exclusive games so often, mainly because I sold my Switch after I got my MSI Claw due to never using it. However, one game I look back on incredibly fondly is Golf Story. Now, I am a big golfer, so maybe I am a bit biased, but it is genuinely a really sweet and entertaining game. You are basically playing a golfer who aims to go pro but has been down on his luck lately. You will find yourself not just playing nine holes of golf on some very entertaining courses, but also hitting balls to feed hungry alligators, taking out undead skeletons, hunting for fossils, and solving mysteries. It really is a great golf RPG—probably the best one out there.

This is all mixed with cute 16-bit pixel art and some cozy music, making it a relaxing, enjoyable experience that can be 100% completed over a weekend. I really recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a quirky, chilled RPG story. It's a bit of a hidden gem.

5. Final Fantasy XIV

Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox X/S

When the weather outside is melting, you can find yourself ending up isolated, just going to work or school and coming home again. It might be too hot to meet with friends in the physical world, but that doesn't mean you can't hang out with them in the virtual one. This is where I think Final Fantasy XIV can be one of the best games to spend time with your friends. Sure, the raids can be intense, but there are a million other things to do in this game that can be super chilled and fun. You can spend hours playing mini-games in the Gold Saucer, go fishing or dancing together, get a home together and renovate it—literally, it is a game where you could live a whole other life. Plus, the entire main game and the first two DLCs are completely free to play. 

So, if you want to hide from the sun and spend thousands of hours hanging out online with friends, FF14 is the game for you.

Well, it was a bit of a shorter post this time compared to my other ones, but I hope you enjoyed this quick read anyway! If you are looking for a summer game, I hope it helped you out. Let me know what some of your hot-weather games are and what you would recommend to others!

Most importantly, stay safe and stay hydrated, gamers!

Cuppa