BEST IMMERSIVE SIMS

You must play today!

Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in interest in the immersive sim genre, yet it has been around for decades now, but what exactly qualifies as an immersive sim? These games combine elements of action, roleplaying, and stealth into one seamless whole. Each game varies the emphasis of these components, but there are some clearly identifiable qualities that mark them out. They prioritize compelling environment design and they encourage emergent play, providing the player with an array of tools to pursue open-ended goals. Even though the genre is at its most popular, the origins stretch back many decades and has a must-play list of games that rivals any other genre. Here are some of our favorite immersive sim games you can play right now.

System Shock 2

The original System Shock game was a really good game, but it was the sequel that truly set the standard for immersive sims as we know it today. Co-developed by Looking Glass Studios and Ken Levine's Irrational Games, System Shock 2 was a sci-fi horror with arguably the greatest villain ever seen in video games. You awake from the cold chill of your cryo-tube to discover cybernetic implants grafted to your flesh and the crew of the starship Von Braun slaughtered. The infected roam the halls, their screams and moans beckoning you to join them as the rogue artificial intelligence known as SHODAN taunts and ridicules your feeble attempt to unravel the horrifying mystery of the derelict starship Von Braun. At its heart System Shock 2 was a complex roleplaying game, with deep and involved systems that allowed the player immense freedom to explore the Von Braun as they saw fit. Wrap those complex systems with a claustrophobic atmosphere and a taunting villain and you are looking at one of the best immersive sims ever created. Although in 2021, the game can be quite clunky compared to modern games, it's still worth it to see where it all started.