Updated at: 07-06-2022 - By: Leo Hall

Enjoy yourself by immersing yourself in a game. Here’s a comprehensive list of the top current immersive simulations. Here you can find a new game to play.

The best way to define immersive simulations is as first-person action RPGs in which the setting and game mechanics are created with player choice in mind at every stage.

By exploring and interacting with persons, items, and roads, as well as utilizing particular talents or capabilities in immersive simulators most obstacles may be solved in many different ways.

List of greatest immersive sims to play in 2022, including the finest modern immersive sims and the best immersive sims on Steam can help you find your new favorite game.

Check back often as we’ll be adding more titles to this collection in the near future. Let us know if we’ve missed any of your personal favorites.

Deathloop

Windows and PlayStation 5 are both supported.

It’s no secret that Arkane Studios is the go-to studio for modern immersive simulators, and Deathloop, their most recent release, underlines that dedication.

DEATHLOOP | PlayStation (Vietnam)

To break the cycle, the hitman must kill eight people in one day to break the cycle.

To provide players the freedom to choose their own route, the game incorporates aspects of first-person shooters, RPGs, and roguelikes.

In addition to Arkane’s well-known open-ended gameplay, the game’s time-traveling premise and striking ’70s acid trip aesthetics make it particularly enjoyable.

Prey

Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One are all supported platforms.

When Arkane released Prey before Deathloop in 2011, the survival horror shooter suffered from poor promotion and controversy because to its moniker being tied to an already-existing franchise.

Aliens have taken control of a space station, and players assume the role of a scientist trying to clear the station of the invaders.

Many regions and paths can only be reached by getting a certain ability or piece of equipment, such as the Gloo Cannon. This extends to navigation.

Stealth and aggression can be used to overcome just about any obstacle, but there is a minor preference towards using the former.

Cruelty Squad

Microsoft Windows

Even though Cruelty Squad appears to be a visual mess, the game mechanics and concepts make it an excellent immersive sim.

As for story, the player takes on the role of a mercenary grunt working undercover for a shadowy organization in this game.

The game claims to be a power fantasy simulator that allows for both violent and peaceful playstyles, with a wide variety of weapons, equipment, and paths to choose from.

Until now, the level landscapes have been open-ended, allowing players to explore other routes, interact with diverse objects, and uncover secret weaponry.

Hitman 3

Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, and Macintosh

Hitman 3 is the concluding installment in IO Interactive’s World of Assassination trilogy, which focuses on the series’ immersive sim elements.

Players assume the character of bald assassin Agent 47 and embark on a world tour to take down the shadowy Providence organization by executing important targets in a variety of sandbox settings.

Interactable objects and NPCs fill each level, allowing the player to defeat foes or acquire new disguises that let them infiltrate their goal.

Every mission can be approached in numerous ways, including permanent shortcuts, various disguises and weaponry, and access to restricted locations via disguises or disguises.

Dishonored 1 & 2

Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One are all supported platforms.

Dishonored, Arkane’s critically acclaimed first-person action game, and its great sequel are indispensible when discussing immersive simulators.

A variety of supernatural talents and mechanical gadgets are available to players in both games as they explore steampunk-inspired cities and face off against guards who can be dealt with violently or non-violently.

Possessing an enemy, stopping time, setting traps, and summoning a swarm of rats are all examples of this.

A player’s decision on whether or not to kill everyone in the game has a significant impact on the tale.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One are all supported platforms.

From espionage and system-driven mayhem to many characters and interconnecting plots, the Metal Gear franchise has it all.

Set after the events of Ground Zeroes, The Phantom Pain sees you play as Big Boss who comes up from a coma and forms an all-star band of hired guns to take down his foes.

The gameplay is an immersive sim fan’s fantasy, with enormous sandbox environments and extremely dynamic adversary AI that reacts to your actions.

Optional side objectives give additional rewards and new information about the world if you’re willing to put in the effort.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Mac

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the fourth and final edition in the series, is widely regarded as a pioneer in the immersive sim genre.

To expose the Illuminati, a double agent teams up with hackers and infiltrates the enemy’s headquarters in this cyberpunk thriller.

First-person shooter combat is paired with stealth and RPG-based progression with an emphasis on player choice in this realistic simulation.

There are many augmentations that focus on fighting, stealth, or survival and alter how the protagonist interacts with their environment.

BioShock Remastered

Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Mac OS X, and iOS are all supported.

Often recognized with popularizing dynamic, simulation-driven open-world games like BioShock, this series has strong roots in the immersive sim genre.

BioShock’s underpinning systems and gaming mechanics are just as amazing as Rapture’s steampunk design, which is another underwater metropolis.

The main character has access to a variety of elemental powers known as plasmids, which he can use to interact with the environment and even non-player characters (NPCs) directly.

Of course, you may still play each chapter as a regular first-person shooter, since the immersive sim experience places a premium on adaptability.

Alien: Isolation

Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, and Macintosh

Even while Alien: Isolation’s immersive sim status may be up for question, when compared to other entries on this list, there’s no denying they share a similar DNA.

Alien: Isolation - Khám phá ý nghĩa thực sự của sợ hãi

In this survival horror adventure, players must use stealth, action, and an ever-persistent enemy to slip around space stations while desperately trying to flee.

Distraction tools and weapons can be made from a variety of resources, each of which affects your adversaries in a different way.

The degree of detail in the environment and things you interact with is enough to draw you in, even if the experience isn’t as open-ended as most immersive sims.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

Microsoft Windows

Although it’s an action RPG, Vampire: The Masquerade–Bloodlines is nevertheless a fun experience for those who appreciate taking on the role of a blood-thirsty vampire.

There are many ways to stay alive in this game based on your allegiance to a particular family and how you interact with the universe.

The immersive sim’s replayability is bolstered by a vampiric code, dialogue options, and many character class advantages.

In spite of the fact that a number of fan-created patches and mods have been made available to improve the performance and visuals of the original Bloodlines, you may want to wait for its future sequel Bloodlines 2.

System Shock 2

Three operating systems: Windows (Linux), Macintosh

Not to be outdone, the survival horror action RPG System Shock 2 helped pioneer immersive simulations and continues to rank among the genre’s finest today.

Play as a soldier who must fight off an epidemic that has spread throughout the ship and turned its residents into vicious, mutated creatures.

Skill trees for guns, technological affinities, and psionic powers allow you to focus on one of these three areas of expertise, each of which has an impact on the gameplay.

Despite this, System Shock 2 still finds ways to poke holes in your armor and remind you who is actually in control through unpredictable encounters with enemies and resource scarcity.

The Stygian Abyss (PC, 1992)

With its 3D universe, non-linear growth, and simulation gaming style, this first-person RPG for DOS blew our little undercut-topped minds away. Make popcorn with a flaming torch, for crying out loud!

A prototype of an immersive sim was created by Spector, Neurath, and the rest of the crew, some of whom went on to work at Looking Glass Studios. Although it didn’t blow up the store shelves, this was to be expected in a genre that would last for decades. Whoever had heard of Underworld, on the other hand, knew something was up. Also, it’s noteworthy.

The Dark Project (PC, 1998)

Today’s stealth game, Thief, is a compelling and evocative experience. In 1998, it was a truly transformative experience. Experiments in gothic steampunk and medieval settings, like city lamps in an otherwise medieval environment, a fanatical cult-like society called the Hammerites and the famed supernatural left turns were all part of Looking Glass’s vision for its gothic steampunk/medieval universe.

A real-time light detection system that allowed players to hide Garrett in the shadows or risk being seen near light sources was the great show-stopper mechanic. A large toolkit and a freeform style of play akin to Underworld kept things interesting without requiring you to go all-out. In the end, dousing a flaming fire with a water arrow is far more enjoyable than slinking across a metal floor using a moss arrow to cover your tracks.

System Shock 2 (PC, 1999)

It was Ken Levine’s System Shock sequel that used tactics that had such an impact on players in 1999 that they are now considered a bit dated. You’re greeted by scrawls of blood on the walls, voice logs, and grisly discoveries as you tiptoe around the Von Braun in search of answers. On board, you’ll feel isolated, unnerved, and a part of the mystery. The involvement of SHODAN is revealed in the following spoilers.

Deus Ex (PC, 2000)

At night, the streets are eerily quiet. Secret groups’ headquarters are hidden in sewer systems.. We have more weapons and ammunition than Joe Rogan has episodes on his show, including multitools, EMP grenades, and taser ammo. In 2000, Ion Storm employee Warren Spector was able to realize his dream project, and it has since become the standard for immersive simulations.

Previously, we saw glimpses of player agency in beautifully dramatic, open settings, but nothing quite like Deus Ex. To deliver on the promise of immersive simulators, this game provided a plethora of options for overcoming each obstacle in the way, no matter how huge or small the problem was. All of them had a wonderful experience.

Arx Fatalis (PC, 2002)

As a direct sequel to Ultima Underworld, Arkane’s first game was originally intended to be released without the license, but its lineage is extremely evident. Also situated in a massive, freeform stronghold, Arx Fatalis is every bit the Spector-appealing dungeon crawler that you’d expect. There are runes, swirly patterns, and surprisingly complicated ways to manipulate the surroundings for 2002 in this game’s groundbreaking magic system.

The Masquerade – Bloodlines (PC, 2004)

As it turned out, Troika’s chance to release a Source Engine game before Valve was doomed, and Bloodlines is recognized for its bugginess, not to mention the Santa Monica beach barbecues and the warring twin strip clubs.

After a decade of patches from the community, it was clear that the game warranted a full restoration. Though Deus Ex is a bit more linear than some of the other games on this list, its depiction of modern LA’s bloodsucking culture and class-based play make it one of the best.

User Review: Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines (Computer) | GBAtemp.net - The Independent Video Game Community

Dishonored (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, 2012)

When it comes to polish and depth, Arx Fatalis and Arkane’s follow-up Dark Messiah of Might & Magic both fell short. Dishonored, on the other hand, learned from those mistakes. Corvo, the supernatural assassin, moves with grace and precision as he exacts vengeance on the corrupt officials of Dunwall. He is nearly outmatched, but his arsenal of weapons and abilities allows you to disregard this.

Art director Viktor Antonov’s idea of a Steampunk Victorian London that Deathloop gamers would recognize is unlike any other place the genre has led us.

Thief II: The Metal Age

The Thief trilogy is one of my favorite video game series in total. Twenty years later, they’re still some of the best-written, most atmospheric, and most horrifying games ever, and their 3D level still astounds me. However, I contemplated omitting them from the list. The Thief series doesn’t have as many play options as some of the other games on this list because it’s a stealth game.

The systems-driven approach that defines immersive simulators is still used in their creation. Many stealth games, including Deus Ex and Dishonored, owe a debt of gratitude to Thief’s groundbreaking work in light and sound propagation and artificial intelligence. Thief II is the most in-depth of the original Thief games, having more levels and a more developed stealth mechanic than the other two. However, additional classics are Framed! Eavesdropping and First City Bank and Trust, the latter of which has become a famous example of immersive-sim mission design.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

My initial skepticism of Square Enix’s relaunch of Deus Ex was blown away. Is this the beginning of a story? That’s not going to work at all…. Third-person cover? That’s a bit of a surprise. Sacrilege! Kills and knockouts depending on QTE? Fire up the heretic!

When it comes to playability, Square Enix’s Deus Ex: Human Revolution is as good or better than the original, and in some cases even better. Hengsha’s gorgeous double-decker city, as well as its larger and more linked hubs, made this prequel feel like a continuation of the original plot rather than a prequel.

A lot of the new aspects, which were contentious at the time, ended up working well. The third-person cover system and the quick-tap knockouts and executions make a lot of sense in this game. Aside from the out-of-place boss fights and the “choose your own ending” ending, the game committed no major errors.

Human Revolution’s sequel, Mankind Divided, is just as amazing, if not better. Deus Ex’s prologue may not have been requested, but I for one am grateful for it.

System Shock 2

As a result of Deus Ex’s massive popularity, I believe more people would regard System Shock 2 as a benchmark for immersive simulations. For example, there are three unique skill trees focused on weapons and psionics, as well as an advanced crafting system that allows you to build new objects by mixing various chemical elements.

However, what makes System Shock 2 truly unique is its bizarreness. A parasitic alien hivemind is at war with the evil queen of Cyberspace, the almighty SHODAN, on board the starship Von Braun, which was partly designed by Thief’s designers.

System Shock 2 is, in many ways, an anti-immersive simulation. Most games in this genre emphasize the degree to which you have control over events. However, the central idea of System Shock 2 is that you have very little influence over the situation. Given that it was authored by BioShock’s chief designer, Ken Levine, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. The message of System Shock 2, in contrast to BioShock, is spread out throughout the course of the entire game. Many approaches mean that you can screw yourself over (and System Shock 2 will locate the crack in your armour), while SHODAN herself gives you all of your upgrade points, which drives you into an uneasy alliance in order to fight the Many’s collective mind.

Intricate in both theme and mechanics, the game’s eerie atmosphere will ensnare you like a parasite in your mind.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

That so much of the discussion surrounding MGS V’s launch focused on complaints about its story still annoys me. For the most part, Metal Gear Solid 4 was made with the express purpose of concluding the Metal Gear Saga. In contrast, the focus of The Phantom Pain was more on letting the player invent their own Metal Gear narrative.

As a result, it boasts one of the most comprehensive mechanical toolkits in one of the most reactive settings ever developed. As you create and execute your own missions, you can choose your infiltration method, first drop-point and in-mission buddy, starting vehicle (if desired), weapons and gadgets such as an inflated decoy of yourself. The entire game revolves on this concept. You can even get help from a variety of different sorts of artillery. It’s crowded to the gills.

That which makes The Phantom Pain genuinely unique is not so much what you can do but how your enemies react to your play style. If you’re a sniper who enjoys popping heads, your adversaries will soon be donning helmets. As a result of ambushing a patrol with tear gas, they’ll begin wearing gas masks. Decoys will be planted in their own bases if you use them frequently to distract your opponents.

One of the most brilliantly dynamic games I’ve ever played, The Phantom Pain is capable of stunning you for many of hours of gameplay with its incredibly complicated tale. It’s amazing how well it integrates all of these diverse systems and keeps them running smoothly.

Metal Gear Solid 5 The Phantom Pain Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 [1080p HD 60FPS] - No Commentary - YouTube

FAQS:

Is Hitman immersive sim?

Hitman is a popular video game series.

Is Cyberpunk immersive sim?

In many ways, it’s like playing a life-size sim game. Some of the removed content hints that they had more in mind than just the deep simmy of the All Foods quest. There are a few more tasks that are approximately half as immersive as that one, as well as a few random little quests with alternate routes to beat.

Is System Shock an immersive sim?

Video games in the immersive sim (simulation) genre place an emphasis on the player’s ability to make decisions. Other examples are Thief and Thief 2, System Shock and System Shock 2, and the first Deus Ex.