Top 8 Best Immersive Sim Games (That Aren't Deus Ex)
The genre is thriving right now thanks to these developers.
The immersive sim genre is home to some of my favourite games of all time, offering the kinds of experiences I can’t really get in any other genre.
As I detailed in an article I wrote a few weeks ago, the exact description of what an immersive sim is depends on who’s asking, as there isn’t really a universally accepted definition.
The definition that most fans of the genre tend to accept though is that they are a type of RPG, where the world is built upon a rigid set of rules, mechanics, and systems, each of which can be exploited by the player to reach their objective.
An example situation of this would be if you were faced with a locked door. There’s an important item you need on the other side. Do you use a lockpick to unlock it? Do you knock it down with a large weapon? Do you pickpocket the key off a nearby guard? Do you find a window or vent to get past the door without touching the door? Do you bribe someone into unlocking it for you?
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You see what I’m getting at. The idea is that the game “immerses” you within its world by “simulating” the different rules of this universe, hence the name “immersive sim”.
Anyway, I’ve picked out eight of my favourite immersive sim games for you to try. I’ve tried to go for lesser known titles, particularly those in the indie games sphere, as my personal recommendations.
That’s why you won’t be getting Dishonored, Thief, or Deus Ex appearing on the list (although you should definitely go play those as well).
Ctrl Alt Ego
It’s a game set in a deep, nonlinear, interconnected world, evocative of 70s/80s era low-budget British sci-fi television. The game has a huge emphasis on creativity and problem solving, where you play as a disembodied “ego” who is able to leap between different electronic items aboard a massive space station. It’s got a vibe pretty close to System Shock, but with a further emphasis on creativity which I’m incredibly impressed with for a modern indie game.
Gloomwood
Still in Steam Early Access for now, Gloomwood is a glorious mix of Thief, Bloodborne, and Dishonored where you are trapped inside a Victorian city that has been overwhelmed by a terrible curse. The city is fun to explore, and offers you a huge amount of choice in how you want to travel around it.
But what really grabs me is New Blood’s dedication to the classic Thief-style stealth and sound system, where your visibility and sound is constantly tracked. Stay in the shadows and try not to make a noise!
Dread Delusion
I’m absolutely in love with Dread Delusion’s art style, which features colourful, low-res textures and grotesque otherworldly monsters. It’s a bit like if Half-Life and Thief had a baby, with some classic Elder Scrolls also sprinkled in there. It really nails the exploration aspect though, where picking a direction and simply going that way will reward you with many unexpected things. Once you get past the initial onboarding, there were dozens of moments where I had to pick my jaw up off the floor because of how mind-boggling some of these set pieces were.
Pathologic 2
While the classic immersive sim space is dominated in conversation by the likes of Deus Ex and System Shock, Pathologic is another such series that deserves to be on this list. I’d recommend going with Pathologic 2 over the original, which is technically more of a remake than a sequel. The second game improves on a lot of the jank that made the original infamous in the genre, with more open-ended gameplay and deeper systems. The story is a bit more straightforward and the characters are more interesting. However, be warned that this game can be incredibly difficult to newcomers if you don’t know what you’re getting into.
Shadows of Doubt
Shadows of Doubt puts you in the role of a private investigator who is tasked with solving different cases: missing persons, murders, and other crimes run amok in the city. What I like about this game is just how much of it appears to be simulated. NPCs all have names, jobs, personalities, and routines. Jobs can be done in a myriad of different ways, and outcomes can vary in countless variations. It’s a true immersive sim by its very definition, and it’s something I absolutely love revisiting from time to time.
Skin Deep
A while ago I had a dream that there was a Die Hard video game that was also an immersive sim. And then I realised, “wait, that’s just Skin Deep!”. In Skin Deep, you play as Nina Pasadena, an “insurance commando” who is tasked with guarding starships and protecting its cargo from space pirates. There are loads of different open-ended routes and methods to tackling each mission, and you’ll end up using a mix of combat, stealth, and creative problem solving to complete each mission.
Blood West
Although many prefer to see it as more of a “boomer shooter”, Blood West is another game from New Blood Interactive which takes a lot of inspiration from the immersive sim genre. This time, we’re in the old west, and you play as a gunslinger. Careful planning is the key to each level here, where you are encouraged to scout the area, stalk enemies, and strike from the shadows, with the ultimate goal of clearing the area of ghouls and monsters. Fans of Thief may also recognise Stephen Russell as the voice of the protagonist, if that sways you.
Amnesia: The Bunker
While previous Amnesia games were more linear survival horror affairs, The Bunker takes a closer step towards the immersive sim genre by giving you a simple open-ended task: get out of this abandoned WWI bunker. To do this, you need to find a series of items scattered around the place. But oh no—there’s also a terrifying monster stalking you throughout the whole game. It’s a mix of Alien: Isolation’s stalker mechanic and the wider immersive sim genre’s emphasis on creative problem solving. It finds that fine line between giving you enough tools to keep the environment simulated well enough, while you’re also kept weak enough to retain the tension throughout the whole playthrough.
Topics: Indie Games, PC, Steam