The Best Immersive Sims That Give You Total Freedom

Summary

Immersive sims encourage creativity, allowing players to tackle challenges in multiple ways with tangible outcomes.
These games prioritize player freedom by presenting problems and trusting players to solve them using any approach.
Immersive sims like Arx Fatalis, Prey, and Dishonored 2 set the standard for player agency and dynamic worlds in gaming.

Immersive simulation games don’t focus on completing tasks or rushing to the next goal. Instead, they invite players to explore the question, “What would happen if I did this?” and provide genuine responses. These games frequently merge different genres, placing players in open-ended environments where everything influences everything else. For example, you might shoot a lock, pick it, climb through a window, or even take control of a rat. You could also create a distraction or break down a wall. The allure lies in the freedom to experiment and discover the consequences.

In these games, the freedom isn’t limited to expansive landscapes or multiple narrative paths; instead, it lies in the empowerment of players to tackle a problem as they see fit, regardless of whether their chosen method is orderly, chaotic, or creatively unconventional. These games aren’t merely immersive sims; they serve as templates for effectively implementing player autonomy.

7. Arx Fatalis

Sometimes the Best Spell Is Just Drawing A Rune In The Air

Arx Fatalis is like when a studio aims to create an experience similar to Ultima Underworld, but they throw in edible rats, flexible non-player character schedules, and authentic spellcasting movements for good measure. Arkane’s debut game was not without its imperfections, but it was incredibly daring for its era, particularly on the original Xbox. The subterranean world wasn’t merely a backdrop; it was a thriving ecosystem teeming with reactive factions, spoiling food, and a magic system that demanded players to remember gestures and draw them during combat.

In this game, there were no social classes, guideposts, or tutorials. Players had the liberty to contaminate food, traverse goblin lands covertly, or tackle challenges using swords and spells brutally. The entire realm was an interconnected labyrinth, brimming with hidden treasures that appreciated cunning rather than raw power. Although it may not have matured as elegantly as Arkane’s subsequent creations, Arx Fatalis paved the way for games like Dishonored and Prey, and it remains commendable for how much it advanced freedom within a dark fantasy setting.

6. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Big Boss, Big Sandbox, Bigger Bag Of Tricks

In many games, you’re given a set of rules or guidance; however, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain offers an unusual approach by providing numerous tools with minimal instruction. This tactical action game allows for creative strategies – from tapping on a wall to summoning an airstrike. The missions unfold in expansive landscapes that adapt according to your actions. Overuse of headshots may lead the enemies to equip helmets, and attacking frequently during nighttime could result in them acquiring night vision. If you choose a noisy approach, expect to be outnumbered quickly unless you’ve strategized accordingly.

In The Phantom Pain, innovation becomes an art form as players experiment with teamwork (buddy system), personalized gear (customizable loadouts), dynamic weather conditions, and unique tactics such as capturing tanks in battle using Fulton balloons. This game stands out by blending its signature narrative style with open-ended gameplay mechanics without losing its essence. Essentially, creator Kojima handed over a massive playground and encouraged players to explore, leading to a mix of chaos, humor, and moments of genius.

5. System Shock

Where There’s One Wrench, There’s Always A Way

1994’s System Shock paved the way for countless other immersive games by allowing players to explore Citadel Station, hiding in vents and tampering with turrets. With just a pipe as their starting tool and a mind full of risky decisions, players were left to learn through experience. There were no guided cutscenes, quest markers, or extensive tutorials; instead, the game relied on its antagonist SHODAN, an unforgettable villain in the gaming genre, and a commitment to maintaining immersion, even if that meant challenges were more difficult to comprehend.

This game, known as System Shock, uniquely blended first-person exploration, hacking, audio logs, environmental puzzles, and RPG mechanics in a way that was unprecedented at the time. It was intense, yet surprisingly innovative even by today’s standards. The 2023 remake retained its original essence, maintaining its nonlinear gameplay, physics-based world, and chilling ambiance of impending dread. System Shock is rightfully considered a cornerstone, and every character wielding a wrench since then should acknowledge its influence.

4. Prey

On Talos 1, Even The Coffee Cups Can Kill You

As a devoted admirer, what truly left me astounded about Prey wasn’t its combats or its narrative; it was the breathtakingly immersive and responsive environment of Talos 1 that stole the show. There were secret rooms concealed behind intricate security systems, safes camouflaged within paintings, and ventilation shafts that led to unexplored territories if one dared to explore them. Unlike many games that restrict progression with artificial barriers, Prey opted for knowledge, dexterity, and a creative mind as the means to unlock new possibilities.

To access the balcony before using the jump boost, pile up foam blocks as a substitute for ammunition, roll past enemies using a coffee cup. Each ability in this game can be utilized in various ways, and even common items like vending machines and security turrets can be manipulated with some creative thinking. Unlike many other sci-fi shooters, Prey makes failure engaging because running low on resources simply encourages you to think outside the box. It’s one of the most intricately designed games Arkane has ever created and is considered a standout example of an immersive sim in today’s gaming era.

3. Dishonored 2

Every Kill Is Optional, Every Consequence Is Permanent

In “Dishonored 2”, they didn’t stop at merely expanding upon the original game. Instead, they amplified every aspect and managed to incorporate experimentation as well. Regardless of whether players picked Corvo or Emily, the game offered fresh abilities, innovative movement mechanics, and some of the most detailed levels ever created within the genre. The “Clockwork Mansion” and “A Crack in the Slab”, two levels frequently analyzed by level designers, are essentially puzzles disguised as environments.

What truly set Dishonored 2 apart, however, was its ability to adapt to the player’s decisions. The level of chaos influenced NPC actions, storytelling, and even the ultimate ending. If you chose to kill everyone, Karnaca decayed. On the other hand, if you opted for a stealthy approach, the city thrived. Players could perform various tricks like chaining Blink jumps across rooftops, using rats to sneak through hidden passages, or freezing time and guiding enemies into their own gunfire. Every choice had repercussions, but what mattered most was that every decision felt genuinely personal and owned by the player.

2. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

The Game That Let Everyone Be The Main Character

The enduring popularity of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, even over a decade after its release and across multiple platforms, can be attributed to its unique approach. Instead of dictating actions for players, it presents a fantasy realm and poses the question, ‘What would you like to accomplish?’ Whether it’s joining the Dark Brotherhood, ignoring the main quest to hunt deer, or battling dragons in just iron gauntlets while shouting in Dragonborn, the game encourages a wide range of player-driven experiences.

Skyrim wasn’t just about providing freedom in conversations or exploration; it constructed comprehensive systems to cater to players’ desires. Disciplines like Alchemy, Enchanting, Stealth, Smithing, and Shouts were intricately connected, enabling players to create remarkably distinct characters without feeling restricted. Although the game’s immersive simulation aspects were less intense compared to others on this list, its flexible quest design and physics-based interactions earned it a place among the genre’s finest. If freedom is defined by how long a player can roam aimlessly, Skyrim could very well be the benchmark.

1. Deus Ex

Augment First, Ask Questions Later

Deus Ex didn’t create immersive sims, but it perfected the design and showed every other game how to navigate a neo-noir landscape while discussing covert operations. It plunged players into a cyberpunk city filled with locked rooms, untrustworthy administrations, and enigmatic factions, then left the stage. Stealth, computer hacking, social engineering, raw power – all were viable strategies. What truly mattered was how players shaped their characters and which routes they opted to traverse.

In every stage, you were immersed in a miniature world of intertwined systems. You could either break through a barrier or discover a secret passageway. You could also access a terminal or persuade someone to reveal their password. The dialogue was dynamic too, with numerous outcomes based on your attributes, tone, and timing. What truly set it apart was how everything contributed to a larger storyline that never felt linear. Deus Ex didn’t merely offer freedom. It provided a world that valued players’ intellect and a set of tools that appreciated their curiosity. It’s no surprise it continues to serve as the blueprint for many games today.

2025-07-06 11:14