Summary
Although it is a genre that it is hard to describe for many, immersive sim games are a genre that focuses on player choice. In other words, players are placed in situations where they are given a ton of tools but are not told the exact way on how to tackle the dilemma in front of them. The world also tends to respond to how a player behaves as well.
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Many have made arguments that immersive sims are also meant to be first-person as it is a perspective that can literally make the player feel like they are in the game. However, there are many third-person games that have immersive sim elements, some of which have systems that are the best the genre has ever seen.
2D platforming roguelike
Platform(s)
Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
After the first game was a massive indie hit on the Xbox 360, creator Derek Yu and his team decided to return for a sequel simply calledSpelunky 2. While the first game had many immersive sim elements,the roguelikebuilds on the formula of having many systems that actively interact with each other as the player explores the game.
Playing as Ana, the daughter of the protagonist from the first game, players are tasked with trying to find her missing planets who were last known to be on the Moon.Spelunky 2introduces a bevy of new features, many of which add new interactions that players can experiment with on each run.
Action role-playing game
Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5
This could be considered slightly cheating asThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimcan be played in either first-person or third-person. But the bottom line is that this game has a lot of systems in place that make it an immersive sim despite its main genre being an action RPG.
After going through the tutorial section of the game, players are immediately able to start wandering an open world, with the ability to visit any town and take on missions in almost any order. The world reacts to almost every decision inSkyrim, from something as big as who theplayer aligns within war to something small like killing a pet by accident and having an entire town fight back.
PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
One of the most beloved studios known for making some of the best immersive sims out there isArkane Studios. Some of the minds behind the studios' best games formed their own independent studio and decided to make an action RPG with immersive sim elements calledWeird West.
A game that is played from a top-down perspective,Weird Westtakes place in the American frontier and the heroes that the player controls are dealing with the strange and unknown. Players will play the game through the eyes of five different characters, with the gameplay revolving around the world responding to the player’s every move with combat similar to a twin-stick shooter.
Stealth
Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3
A hallmark franchisefor Ubisoftin the 2000s wasSplinter Cell, a stealth series revolving around Sam Fisher and the missions he goes on as an agent for the NSA. One of the strongest entries in the franchise isSplinter Cell: Chaos Theory. It is also the one to introduce immersive sim elements to the gameplay.
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The game featured improved AI from previous entries, allowing enemies to be more aware of the actions taken by the player and remembering it for the future. In addition, while previous entries would instantly give the player a game over if Sam got too much heat,Chaos Theoryallows scenarios to play out and let players figure out how to get out of sticky situations.
Action-adventure stealth
PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One
A franchise beloved for innovating the stealth genre,Metal Gear Solidhas long been considered to have some of the best stealth mechanics in games as well as some ofthe best storytelling. Yet, the game did not reach the pinnacle of immersive sim mechanics untilMetal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
An open world action adventure,The Phantom Painfeatures Big Boss as he awakes from a coma and build a new army to get revenge on a shadow group called the XOF. There are so many tools that the disposal for those looking to get around and trying not to get caught. Every single aspect triggers a different affect and determines how well the player can quietly get around.
Nintendo Switch
For over three decades,The Legend of Zeldahas immersed players in numerous adventures. However, none of the games prior tothe Nintendo Switch erawere immersive sims by definition. Since then, the open world format has encouraged players to approach the game as they please with many systems.
Of the two titles that feature this gameplay,The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis the most like an immersive sim. This is helped with the introduction of the building system that allows players to make contraptions. How the pieces of a contraption work together and how the world reacts to it are all what makesTears of the Kingdomfall into the genre.
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
There is no game that challenges the player to think on their feet and carve their own path quite likeHitman: World of Assassinationdoes. The action stealth game is a combination of all three games in theHitmanreboot trilogy and is widely considered to have the most immersive gameplay IO Interactivehas ever made.
As the notorious Agent 47, players are put in scenarios where they must hunt down and take out a target in a specific location using the variety of tools provided. Enforcers will react to any noise or movement, so players have to be careful with how they navigate situations. There is also the game’s Freelancer mode that offers a roguelike experience with random targets in random locations.
