Summary
- Immersion is key in open-world games like Kenshi and Subnautica via player agency, detailed atmospheres, and unique mechanics.
- Games like The Long Dark and Rain World offer immersive atmospheres, balancing tension and tranquility within their harsh environments.
- Titles like Disco Elysium provide immersive experiences through deep RPG mechanics, evocative world-building, and enigmatic exploration supported by unique soundtracks.
While gameplay can certainly be an important factor of any open-world game, immersion is the greatest strength of many. From Death Stranding and its bizarre wilderness to the detailed Wild West of Red Dead Redemption 2, exploring a well-crafted open world can be all the more enjoyable when supported by dense atmosphere and immersive game mechanics.
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While AAA and AA experiences may be working with more resources, indie games are still able to provide immersive open worlds via clever gameplay systems, stylish presentation, and player agency. From the calming waters of the minimalist Dredge to the quiet survival of The Long Dark, there’s something here to immerse all kinds of player.
8
Kenshi
An Expansive World That Practically Lives & Breathes
Kenshi offers a truly immersive open-world experience by allowing players to explore and interact with it with complete freedom. This unhinged player agency and the living, breathing nature of the game’s dynamic world results in heaps of emergent gameplay, making for a truly immersive experience.
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Kenshi also leans on its simulated elements, with a detailed damage system that makes combat more immersive than it otherwise would be. Again, though, it’s the game’s detailed open-world and the sandbox nature of its design that gives players the room to soak in its immersive atmosphere.
7
Dredge
Immersive Sound Design & Subtle Art Direction
- Released
-
March 31, 2023
- Developer(s)
-
Black Salt Games
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
The world of Dredge is small, but the free-form exploration of its waters can be tremendously immersive thanks to atmospheric sound design, fluid gameplay, and unique art direction. The music also helps a great deal in conveying tone, working in tandem with the sound design to shift the feel of the game between the welcoming daytime and the foreboding night.
Gameplay is basic in Dredge, but this merely allows the game’s dense atmosphere to shine, balancing tension and tranquility in equal measure. For fans of fishing games, eldritch horror, and open-world exploration, Dredge is worth a shot.
6
Subnautica
Fluid & Mysterious Underwater Exploration
Survival
Horror
Open-World
Science Fiction
- Released
-
January 23, 2018
- Publisher(s)
-
Gearbox Publishing
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Subnautica is a particularly immersive open-world survival game thanks in no small part to its dense underwater setting. This watery world provides a uniquely immersive environment to explore, thanks to the mysterious nature of its deep, dark environments.
The survival game mechanics also help with immersion, however vaguely simulated. Sound and creature design, however, are arguably Subnautica’s greatest strengths, supported by an atmospheric soundtrack that creates a consistent mood.
5
The Long Dark
A Quiet, Contemplative Atmosphere
- Released
-
August 1, 2017
- Developer(s)
-
Hinterland Studio
- Publisher(s)
-
Hinterland Studio
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
The Long Dark is a quiet and contemplative survival game with an emphasis on hardcore simulation and unforgiving gameplay. The simulated survival of the moment-to-moment gameplay makes for an immersive experience, but it’s the open exploration of The Long Dark’s hostile environments that makes it tick.
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Atmosphere is king in The Long Dark, offering a dense and often somber mood that blends complete reprieve with spikes of tension. Working in tandem with the survival gameplay loop, The Long Dark is able to offer a decidedly immersive open world in spite of its stylized visuals.
4
Rain World
A Simulated Ecosystem & Fluid Animations
- Released
-
March 28, 2017
- Developer(s)
-
Videocult
- Publisher(s)
-
Akupara Games, Adult Swim Games
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Fair
Rain World is a game that won’t be for everyone; it’s a hardcore title that’s tremendously unfriendly to newcomers, but beneath its tough exterior is a wholly immersive experience. This is in large part thanks to the game’s simulated ecosystem, which provides a living, alien world for the player to explore.
The player ranks rather low in this ecosystem, however, and, as a result, they must contend with a great number of threats throughout their journey. For players who don’t mind sticking out the initial hurdles, though, Rain World provides an immersive experience in an interconnected open world.
3
Disco Elysium
Talented Performances & Evocative World-Building
- Released
-
October 15, 2019
- Developer(s)
-
ZA/UM
- Publisher(s)
-
ZA/UM
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Disco Elysium is a contemplative point-and-click adventure elevated by deep RPG mechanics and, more importantly, its immersive setting. The cast of colorful characters that populate the downtrodden city of Revachol bring the world to life, but it’s the evocative description and poetic dialogue of the game’s abundant narration that help to build a grander picture.
The somber music also helps tremendously, heightening not only the day-to-day exploration of the dismal environments, but the emotion at the game’s core. All of this is supported by a painterly art style that leaves room for the imagination, punctuated by immersive player feedback.
2
Gloomwood
Immersive-Sim Mechanics & Interconnected Environments
Gloomwood takes place in an interconnected Victorian city with a dark fantasy twist, blended with elements of horror. The free-form nature of the world’s design makes for engrossing exploration, supported by a gameplay loop that takes inspiration from immersive-sims.
An injection of survival-horror gameplay elevates Gloomwood further, grounding players in its dangerous city via an unforgiving loop and tense enemy encounters. The sheer scale of the game’s world is also particularly impressive, built with a cinematic touch and elevated by immersive lighting.
1
Outer Wilds
Fluid Space Exploration & Creative Environments
- Released
-
May 28, 2019
- Developer(s)
-
Mobius Digital
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Boasting an intuitive, minimalist gameplay loop and a lighthearted but enigmatic charm, Outer Wilds is a uniquely immersive exploration game supported by an overwhelming sense of mystery and discovery. The free-form space exploration is quite possibly what makes Outer Wilds so immersive, but it’s supported by a winning atmosphere that blends melancholy with upbeat charm.
This is thanks to the game’s variety of memorable characters and, more importantly, its unforgettable soundtrack. With the music setting the mood and the gameplay staying far out of the player’s way, there’s plenty of room to get immersed in the world of Outer Wilds.
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