Immersive Sim
Ongoing coverage on Immersive Sim.
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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 devs tease that their Lord of the Rings RPG will be "deeply immersive" with a…
Warhorse Studios' upcoming The Lord of the Rings RPG is described as a deeply immersive experience with a living world, interesting characters, and a strong narrative focus. The studio also confirmed that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is on track for release next fiscal year.
Arkane devs say the studio almost made Thief 4 and a Blade Runner game before it made Dishonored — 'We were both so excited. Blade Runner and Thief, two of our favourite things of all time'
Arkane Studios co-directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith revealed that the studio almost developed games based on Blade Runner and the Thief franchise before creating Dishonored. Bethesda had pitched both projects, and Arkane developed pitches for each, with the Thief 4 concepts eventually forming the basis for Dishonored.
Dishonored dev Arkane Studios nearly made Thief 4 and a Blade Runner game
Former Arkane Studios co-directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith revealed that the studio was nearly tasked with developing Thief 4 or a Blade Runner game before creating Dishonored. Bethesda had approached Arkane with the propositions, and the developers expressed strong interest in both franchises. Ultimately, Bethesda allowed Arkane to proceed with their original project, which became Dishonored.
Dishonored co-creators were working on Thief 4 and a Bladerunner game before Bethesda let them make an imsim classic
Dishonored co-creators Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith revealed that Arkane Studios was initially slated to develop Thief 4 and a new Blade Runner game before Bethesda greenlit their original immersive sim. Both Colantonio and Smith expressed strong interest in these projects, which ultimately fell through, leading to the development of Dishonored.
Arkane's Dishonored always felt like a secret Thief sequel, and that's because it started life as one
Dishonored originally began development as Thief 4 before publisher Bethesda offered Arkane the choice between that franchise or Blade Runner. Directors Raphaël Colantonio and Harvey Smith discuss the project's evolution into Dishonored and their experiences co-directing the game.
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (23rd May)
Several Nintendo Life staff members share their weekend gaming plans, including titles like Indiana Jones, Tales of Arise, and Mario Kart World. The article also touches on new mobile game announcements, trading card game scalping issues, and performance boosts on the Nintendo Switch 2.
It's my own fault for thinking Warren Spector's new multiplayer stealth game adding singleplayer would make it…
Thick as Thieves is a first-person stealth game that initially impressed with its unique setting and mechanics, but the eight-minute timer and lack of manual saves hinder the experience. The game's pivot to singleplayer/co-op from PvPvE is evident in its limited maps and features, making it feel like early access despite its low price point.
Thick as Thieves is Out Now on PC
OtherSide Entertainment's co-op immersive stealth title, Thick as Thieves, is now available on PC for $5. The game features a four-hour introductory campaign set in a 1900s city, with randomly generated conditions and 16 missions. It is also in development for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
Thick as Thieves Review – The work of a cat burglar
Thick as Thieves is a stealth adventure game that fails to live up to the legacy of its genre pioneers. Despite an interesting setting in 1910s Scotland, the game suffers from a lack of content, repetitive mission design, poor AI, and clunky controls, making it an underwhelming experience.
The Best PC Games To Play In 2026
This guide highlights the best PC games available in 2026, spanning various genres and including both recent releases and enduring live-service titles. The list emphasizes games that run well on PC, with considerations for hardware and accessibility, and notes that many titles are also playable on devices like the Steam Deck.
This indie action RPG looks like Minecraft but plays like Dark Messiah, letting you boot enemies off ledges and body…
The indie action RPG The Adventures of Sir Kicksalot draws heavy inspiration from Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, featuring physics-based combat where players can kick enemies off ledges and interact with the environment. Despite a less polished presentation than some similar titles, the game offers satisfying combat mechanics and a humorous script, available on PC for $10.
This game about being a chaotic mage might be the best indie immersive sim you can play, as I learned after destroying a…
Rhell: Warped Worlds & Troubled Souls is an indie immersive sim that blends Zelda-like exploration with a deep spellcasting system. Players can combine up to five spells to solve puzzles and interact with a highly systemic world, leading to emergent and often chaotic gameplay. The game encourages experimentation, with mistakes often resulting in humorous slapstick moments rather than harsh penalties.
"I can only tip my hat to those guys" - BioShock creator Kevin Levine praises Baldur's Gate 3 amid fresh talk about his ambitious plans for next game Judas
BioShock creator Ken Levine praised Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3 for its complex narrative engineering, drawing parallels to the challenges his studio faces with the upcoming immersive sim Judas. Levine highlighted that while Baldur's Gate 3 wasn't technologically demanding, its intricate branching narrative required immense organizational effort. He also shared his views on ultra-realism in games, suggesting that effective art direction can be more impactful than cutting-edge technology.
One of BioShock's directors has been questioning the point of one of its key systems: 'I don't care about…
Jonathan Chey, co-founder of Irrational Games and director of BioShock, is exploring new design directions for immersive sims with his studio Blue Manchu's upcoming game, Godzone 6. He questions the necessity of certain systems in traditional immersive sims and believes that incorporating elements from roguelikes and deckbuilders, such as randomized choices and compressed replay cycles, can lead to more engaging and varied player experiences.
Immersive sim sickos rejoice: the makers of Void Bastards are creating their most choice-driven game to date in Godzone…
Blue Manchu is developing Godzone 6, an immersive sim roguelike that offers players unprecedented choice in character customization and gameplay approaches. Director Jonathan Chey highlights the game's focus on emergent gameplay and player-driven solutions, drawing inspiration from classic immersive sims and deckbuilders. The studio plans to engage the community early through demos and beta testing.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on Switch 2 is further proof that Nintendo's latest can tackle the biggest…
The Nintendo Switch 2 is proving capable of handling major third-party releases, with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle being a recent impressive port. Despite lower resolution targets and graphical settings compared to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the game's visual fidelity and performance are well-preserved thanks to the id Tech 7 engine and DLSS capabilities. MachineGames has effectively navigated the console's limitations, offering a strong experience that plays to its strengths.
Turns out you yearn for the return of PC Gamer's two favourite genres just as much as we do
A PC Gamer poll revealed that Real-time Strategy and Immersive Sims are the most desired comeback genres among players. Other popular choices included MMOs and point-and-click adventures, indicating a strong nostalgia for '90s and 2000s PC gaming staples. Despite past hopes, the RTS genre has struggled to regain its former glory, while immersive sims remain a niche but beloved category.
Brigador Killers smacked me in the mouth by making me level a city and kill the protagonists of the first game, and I…
Brigador Killers' demo showcases a brash and stylish sci-fi political violence experience, allowing players to level cities as a mech or engage in on-foot stealth and combat. The demo includes story missions that target protagonists from the original Brigador, as well as a generous sandbox mode offering extensive action and resource management. The game promises a blend of mech and on-foot gameplay, reminiscent of titles like Metal Gear Solid 5 and Armored Core 6.
I love that Crimson Desert's latest updates have effectively transformed it into a birdwatching simulator
Crimson Desert has introduced a bird-taming feature, allowing players to collect over 170 different species, including legendary ones like the Phoenix and a Blue Parrot. This addition has transformed the game into a birdwatching simulator, with players actively sharing locations and showcasing their tames on Reddit, highlighting the immersive qualities of Pearl Abyss's world design.
Dracula: The Disciple May Be the PS5's First Puzzlevania
Dracula: The Disciple, a new first-person puzzle game described as a "Puzzlevania," is in development for the PlayStation 5 and is slated for release in 2027. Players will embody an archivist exploring Dracula's castle to find a cure, uncovering occult knowledge and performing rituals. The game is being developed by Cyanide and published by Nacon.
