The video game genre of Immersive Sims has been on the decline for some time. MeinMMO author Christoph Waldboth finds this really disappointing because one of his favorite games will therefore not receive a sequel.
Dishonored 2 is one of my absolute favorite games. And I am not surprised at all. Because not only do you play as a stealthy assassin with some pretty cool abilities, but Dishonored 2 is also a really good Immersive Sim.
If this term means nothing to you: Games like Bioshock, Prey, Deathloop, or Deus Ex are Immersive Sims.
They throw us into a complex world and give us a lot of gameplay freedom. The story is usually told in cutscenes from a first-person perspective, so the immersion already included in the genre name is not broken. A large part of the backstory is revealed through countless information snippets in the levels.
Dishonored 2 was released in 2016, so it’s been 8 years already. There probably won’t be a third part. The developer studio Arkane has increasingly faced difficulties in recent years. First, titles like Deathloop or Prey were not a major financial success despite critical acclaim (via mcvuk.com), and then the failure of the first-person shooter Redfalleven led to the closure of Arkane Austin.
At this point, I find it unlikely that Dishonored 3 will ever be released. Overall, it saddens me that the genre never quite made it into the mainstream.
Why I Love the Genre
I could go on forever about what makes Immersive Sims so good for me. I’d rather spare you that and instead give you three points that essentially summarize their qualities.
A Game World to Immerse In
One of the great strengths of good Immersive Sims is their game worlds. They are often very creatively designed and remain memorable solely because of their design. I will never forget my first steps in the underwater city of Rapture from Bioshock. There, a mysterious world full of dangers opened up to me. I wanted to know what had happened in this place and set out in search of answers.
I felt similarly in the city of Dunwall from the first Dishonored. While prowling over the rooftops and through the canals of the filthy city, I immediately felt at home in what was actually an uncomfortable environment.
After just a few hours of gameplay, you know the lay of the land, understand how to navigate the levels in the best way, and how to cleverly eliminate enemies. This brings me to point 2.
Gameplay Freedom is Key
In Dishonored, I wield a weapon in one hand, such as a crossbow with deadly bolts. However, I can also switch to non-lethal ones. Or I might grab a pistol, which is much louder and immediately attracts enemies. With my other hand, I use magical powers like teleportation or briefly transform into a rat. This allows me to access secret areas.
How I reach my destination is entirely up to me. And that is what I love. When an attack on a whole group of enemies goes perfectly after extensive shadowing and not a single alarm is triggered, it gives me an incredibly satisfying feeling.
The same applies to other titles in the genre. Deus Ex with its cool gadgets and augmentations, which allow me to see enemies through walls. Deathloop with its ability to link multiple enemies and then take out an entire group with a precise shot. Or Bioshock with its firearms and numerous Plasmids that can set enemies on fire or attack them with bees.
Bioshock, oh Bioshock. That game has probably done point 3 best of all Immersive Sims.
The Story is a Puzzle
In Bioshock, just like in Dishonored or other Immersive Sims, there is a storyline that is told at the forefront. However, those who focus solely on this will miss a large part of the narrative. Because all over Rapture, there are audio logs scattered about. The residents of the underwater city tell their life stories on them. We learn about their fates and slowly but surely find the individual puzzle pieces that make up a larger whole.
The levels themselves also tell a story through their design, revealing what might have already happened here. The fact that politics, intrigues, and even philosophical approaches often find their place in Immersive Sims makes them, in my view, a very mature video game genre.
This kind of storytelling is not for everyone, and I understand that. But I enjoy conjuring up the backgrounds of characters and places in my mind. This way, the world becomes even more complex. I carry the stories I stumble upon with me even after playing and continue to weave them in my head.
I can’t quite explain why Immersive Sims have never achieved huge success. Is it the gameplay freedom that some players reject? Is it the reduced narrative style? Or the unusual scenarios?
I am reluctant to be pessimistic, but I fear that the genre will eventually die out.
The only good thing is: Titles like Dishonored 2 are regularly discounted in sales on Steam and co. So if you have been unsure whether the genre is for you, you can try it at a relatively low cost. And who knows, maybe Immersive Sims will have a renaissance after all. I would wish for that. There is still a little hope: For 10 years, I’ve hoped for a new Bioshock, and the upcoming game from the creator shortens my waiting time.
