Highlights
- Immersion is a key component of video games, and NBA 2K23, Crusader Kings 3, Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered, The Witcher 3, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and Red Dead Redemption 2 all excel in providing immersive role-playing experiences.
- Realistic graphics, rich details, and compelling stories are important factors in creating immersion in video games.
- The ability to make decisions that impact the game world and play as unique characters adds to the immersive role-playing experience in these games.
One of the major draws of video games is the chance to escape from the real world and role-play as someone entirely different, often in a distant time setting or an entirely new universe. One of the things that helps with this is immersion, as games with the best immersion allow players to forget they are role-playing a game at all.
Immersion can be generated in many ways, for example with incredibly realistic graphics and rich details that make the world feel alive and lived in. Excellent NPC mechanics can also go a long way for immersion. And of course, a great story is essential, as it provides a reason for the player's actions without them feeling like they are simply completing the goals of a video game.
6 NBA 2K23
When people think of role-playing video games, sports games don't usually come to the forefront of the mind. However, many of the best sports games include a career mode where players take on the role of an individual athlete or manager. In NBA 2K23, for example, players can create their own character who will enter the NBA and overcome barriers both on and off the court, as part of an incredible story.
The game's realistic graphics, real-life commentary teams, and meticulous details of the league help players completely lose themselves in the immersion, feeling as though they are really the next NBA G.O.A.T.
5 Crusader Kings 3
Grand strategy games aren't usually known for their role-play elements, but Crusader Kings 3 is an exception to this rule as players take on the role of medieval ruler. What makes role-playing in Crusader Kings 3 so great, is that each character is entirely unique. Each one is defined by personality traits that players are rewarded for sticking to.
By making decisions for both themselves and their realm based on their character's personality, players will write their own medieval history. With the amount of flavor and attention to detail in the game, this role-play will be incredibly immersive.
4 Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered
Players looking for immersive role-play as a superhero should look no further than Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered, which features the best representation of New York City in gaming so far. With vastly improved graphics, the game is not only a treat for the eyes as players swing through the metropolis, but players will likely forget that they aren't really Spider-Man.
In terms of role-play, players will feel the inner struggle between the man Peter Parker, and the hero Spider-Man. Two worlds collide and intertwine in a gripping story that fans of the character will love.
3 The Witcher 3
Often in video games, players might question why their character in particular always has to be the hero, and why almost everyone in the world needs their help or has a quest for them. With The Witcher 3, however, this makes perfect sense. Protagonist Geralt of Rivia is a trained Witcher; in other words, he is a professional monster hunter who wants to earn gold from bounties and quests.
Beyond this point, The Witcher 3 is arguably the greatest medieval fantasy game of all time and is heavily praised for its detail and immersion. The dynamic nature of the story and quests also means that players feel like their role-play decisions really matter and have a tangible effect on the world.
2 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is arguably the best medieval game of all time, in large part thanks to its incredibly realistic and immersive role-play. It is massively praised for its historical accuracy, but its role play is also incredibly immersive. Unlike other games, the main character, Henry, is not overpowered. Even in the late game, he is limited by his human nature.
The fact that every NPC has a full-day cycle helps the player feel like they are living in the real medieval Bohemia. Players can approach the game and specific quests in unique ways that align with their role-play goals. Although players can't create their own character as they can in other RPGs, the fact that Henry starts out as a blank slate means that players can direct his moral compass in any which way they chose.
1 Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is widely regarded as one of the best games of all time, and without a doubt is one of the best games for immersive role-play. The game's breathtaking graphics and use of lighting in particular go a long way in making players feel like they are part of a real-life Western story. However, it is the way the world functions that makes RDR2 even more immersive.
Every NPC feels incredibly lifelike and the player, as Arthur Morgan, can interact with them and the world in whichever way they want, making for some of the best role-playing in a game. The Honor system helps out with role-play in RDR2 and makes the player feel like their actions truly impact the world.