What is an immersive sim? Game genre, explained

One thing that the gaming community can never seem to agree on is genre definitions. What exactly is a visual novel, and what’s the real difference between psychological and survival horror? Genres can be helpful, but they can also be confusing, with one key example being the immersive sim niche.

To help you pick out the best immersive sims and get a better understanding of what the genre hallmarks are, you’ll find Adventure Gamers’ full definition below. We’ve also included a few common misconceptions about the genre, like its association with simulator games.

What are immersive sim games?

Immersive sims, also known as IMSims by fans, are story-rich, open-ended games that place players in the shoes of a defined character and allow them to influence the story by making key choices about dialogue, in-game systems, and combat.

Immersive sims will throw puzzles or problems at a player – unlock a door, get past a turret, find a gem – but leave the method of solving the issue undefined. This allows a player to get fully immersed in the story and feel as if they’re the main character, seeing how the world responds to their choices and playstyle preferences.

Generally, an immersive sim game will be first-person – there are some exceptions to this – and will incorporate elements of shooters, action-adventure titles, and RPGs.

Are immersive sims and simulators the same?

Confusingly, no. Immersive sims and simulators are not the same thing; you wouldn’t class Dishonored and Waterpark Simulator as the same sort of game. The categories are just close to each other in name, which can make defining the immersive sim genre feel confusing at first.

A solid example of an immersive sim would be Dishonored or the original Deus Ex, while a best-in-class example of an immersive simulator would be Farming Simulator 25. Both offer immersive gameplay, but the former incorporates elements of other genres like RPGs and stealth-oriented action-adventure.

Other gaming genres reference simulators without being tied to immersive sim games, too. Dating simulators feature elements of visual novels and role-playing, while life simulators can be best described with the Sims franchise.

An immersive sim could theoretically include elements of simulators, dating simulators, or life sims, but it’s unlikely. More often than not, they lean towards action, adventure, and horror, with some choosing to explore fantasy or sci-fi, too.

Popular immersive sim games

Some of the best immersive sim games include Dishonored, Thief, and Deus Ex. In any debates around the imsim genre, you’ll see these three games and other titles in their respective franchises be mentioned repeatedly. There’s a good reason for this; all three have exceptional stories, atmospheric worlds, and intriguing characters.

Other popular titles that fall under the immersive sim definition include Gloomwood and Fallen Aces. The former is a stealth-oriented horror FPS with Lovecraftian vibes, while the latter is a stylized crime noir.

While some titles in the immersive sim genre are almost universally enjoyed by folks in the community, there are some that prove to be more divisive. Ctrl Alt Ego is one such game. Some folks love it and others aren’t so keen; it’s worth looking into if you like imsims with elements of puzzles and RPGs.

As with any game genre, there are some potential immersive sim titles that the community can’t seem to agree on. The BioShock series is a good example of this.

While the games do fit most of the hallmarks of the genre, it’s a fierce source of debate whether they should be included in lists of immersive sim games. Either way, if you’ve not played them before, the first two games are a hell of a lot of fun. BioShock Infinite is also enjoyable, but it doesn’t hold up to the first two games.

Immersive sims somehow manage to be both niche and expansive, with a dedicated cult following that spans multiple gaming platforms and subgenres. Titles like Dishonored, Deus Ex, and Thief make up the best of the bunch, offering rich, vibrant worlds to explore that reward creative thinking and problem-solving.