Top 10 Immersive Games That Will Transport You to New Worlds

Following the success of two outstanding Pillars of Eternity cRPGs, Obsidian Entertainment shifted direction to present the world of Eora from a fresh viewpoint.

This time, the game features a first-person perspective with an optional third-person view. You play as a special envoy sent to the Living Lands, a region plagued by a mysterious disease that you’re immune to due to your divine heritage.

Though the story sounds diplomatic, expect plenty of combat and exploration. The combat system blends melee, ranged, and magical attacks in an engaging way, reminiscent of Dark Messiah of Might & Magic, but with a greater emphasis on narrative choices to immerse you in the world and your character.

For years, Night City has captured the imagination of many through the Cyberpunk tabletop RPG series.

When CD PROJEKT RED adapted this universe into a video game, setting it in Night City was a natural choice. After numerous updates and a major expansion, the city has grown into a sprawling and impressive digital metropolis.

While the city itself is a highlight, Cyberpunk 2077 also embraces immersive sim elements, offering multiple ways to complete objectives depending on your character’s skills and gear. You play as V, a rising mercenary, exploring the city, tackling side quests, or following the main plot centered on a mysterious chip. This sci-fi RPG offers a captivating experience.

While most games on this list use first- or third-person views, immersion doesn’t require it.

Larian Studios, veterans in RPG development, deliver immersion in Baldur’s Gate 3 through highly interactive worlds, a story that dynamically responds to even the wildest player choices, and rich writing that draws you deep into its fantasy setting.

Creativity is key when solving challenges, and this extends into the turn-based combat, which encourages inventive strategies. For fans of story-rich, party-based cRPGs set in a high-fantasy world, Baldur’s Gate 3 offers hundreds of hours of immersive gameplay across multiple playthroughs.

Including a VR title in a list of immersive games is a natural choice.

Half-Life: Alyx isn’t the much-anticipated sequel to Half-Life 2 but rather a prequel, following Alyx Vance on a mission before the events of HL2. It also stands as an impressive example of what VR can achieve in terms of interactivity, immersion, and gameplay.

While HL2 featured the gravity gun, Alyx introduces gravity gauntlets that replicate your VR controllers’ movements. The level of simulation is remarkable, with the physics engine capable of handling precise tasks like juggling if you’re up for the challenge. Beyond being a physics playground, it’s still a solid Half-Life FPS with enough story to set the scene.

With each new hardware generation, the Monster Hunter series becomes increasingly immersive, and this latest entry may be the best so far—despite its tendency to flood you with notifications.

Capcom has dedicated extensive effort to crafting the ecosystem of the Forbidden Lands, where each diverse region is alive with wildlife, large and small, many of which you can capture and study.

The environments are stunning, from the vibrant Scarlet Forest in full bloom to the eerie ruins of the icy Iceshard Cliffs. It’s easy to leave your base and spend hours exploring, observing native creatures, and using the ghillie mantle to watch monsters’ natural behaviors undisturbed. At times, Monster Hunter Wilds feels like an interactive nature documentary.

Ghost of Tsushima is an impressive achievement.

It beautifully recreates Japan’s Tsushima Island during the first Mongol invasion and delivers deep immersion throughout. Much of this immersion comes from natural, in-world navigation cues, like the wind guiding you toward objectives or animals leading you to hidden secrets.

You take on the role of Jin Sakai, the sole survivor of the initial Mongol assault. Jin is determined to drive the invaders off Tsushima. The story and gameplay challenge you with difficult choices between honorable combat and stealthy sabotage or assassination. With its rich themes and stunning visuals, it’s easy to get lost in this world.

The upcoming sequel, Ghost of Yotei, is expected to continue this immersive experience.

Death Stranding is a game that’s easier to experience than to describe.

Set in a post-apocalyptic USA following a strange cross-dimensional event, the world is plagued by toxic rain that accelerates aging, otherworldly creatures that threaten travelers, and broken physical communication. You play as Sam Porter Bridges, a courier with a critical mission.

You’ll explore vast landscapes delivering packages to remote settlements and reconnect the broken world by building roads, ziplines, and more. Though unusual, the gameplay can be surprisingly calming and immersive, with solitary journeys that pull you into its unique sci-fi narrative.

With a sequel launching in June 2025, now is a great time to start your adventure

Sometimes, true immersion in a game comes from being able to interact with the world in believable ways.

Breath of the Wild offers a variety of tools and lets you experiment freely with their physics, allowing creative and often spectacular puzzle-solving. Combined with a vibrant, lush open world, it’s a game that truly draws you in.

The story begins with Link waking up from a century-long magical sleep to find Zelda still holding a magical barrier against Calamity Ganon, with Hyrule much changed. Your goal is to grow stronger and eventually confront Ganon—but you choose when to face him. You can dive straight into battle or explore the world hunting for Korok seeds.

Its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, replaces some tools but adds new abilities, like building machines and fusing items, inspiring players to create impressive inventions for both fun and utility.

Years after its controversial launch, No Man’s Sky has evolved into an amazing exploration game spanning countless galaxies.

While it includes some survival elements, the core experience is traveling from planet to planet, discovering new mysteries and alien species. Numerous updates have introduced features like multiplayer and base-building.

The vast universe of No Man’s Sky means you’ll never run out of worlds to explore, with engaging challenges such as decoding alien languages or journeying to the galaxy’s center to uncover its secrets. If you want a space adventure to get lost in, this game delivers spectacular exploration.