The Thief series is considered to be one of the most legendary game series of all time and is touted as one of the forefathers of the immersive sim genre. The games pretty much throw you into the role of Garrett, a character whose personality absolutely shines with every line he utters and makes the world feel that much more alive and lived in. While the latest game in the Thief series might do nothing more than just besmirch the name of this otherwise legendary series, there's no denying that the other games on this list are definitely worth playing for anyone who wishes to witness the birth of the immersive sim.
Players who decide to give these games a shot will undoubtedly fall in love with these titles, mandating the need for them to figure out the best course of action that can be taken to rekindle the same experience with other games that might fall under the same umbrella. Keeping this in mind, here are ten games that are very much in the same vein as the Thief series, making players feel as immersed in these games as can be.
10 Prey
It would be impossible to talk about games in the immersive sim genre without mentioning the games crafted by Arkane Studios — the only studio that seems to be dedicated to crafting such experiences that are tailored specifically for fans of this genre.
Prey is one such title that managed to be brilliant in every sense of the world, immersing the playing in a haunting sci-fi setting as they explore through an isolated space station that is as haunting as can be.
9 Dishonored 2
Speaking of Arkane Studios, one absolutely needs to mention the Dishonored series that arguably put them on the map as bonafide AAA developers.
The original Dishonored definitely needs to be experienced by anyone even remotely invested in the immersive sim genre, but it's in Dishonored 2 where Arkane Studios shows its maturity as a developer. Each and every level is crafted with the utmost finesse and shows how immaculate level design can elevate the heights of any title.
8 Dark Messiah Of Might And Magic
Back when Arkane Studious was nothing more than a glint in the eye of some ambitious developers, this studio developed a lesser-known title called Dark Messiah Of Might And Magic, which is easily one of the most underrated titles of all time.
The game might have its problems, but there's no denying that Dark Messiah is still undoubtedly a great romp to enjoy for anyone who fell in love with the Thief series. It also serves as an interesting glimpse into the development history of Arkane Studios before they reached new heights in popularity.
Speaking of which...
7 Arx Fatalis
The first game ever developed by Arkane Studios pretty much cemented their role as a developer that was committed solely to pushing the boundaries of the immersive sim genre — something that they've managed to accomplish in impressive fashion.
Arx Fatalis might definitely show its age quite massively at this point, but there's no denying that this slow-paced romp through one of the more intriguing game worlds is a must-play for anyone who loved the Thief series.
6 System Shock 2
System Shock 2 is easily one of the most legendary video game titles of all time, even though it might be bottlenecked as nothing more than the game which featured SHODAN, the legendary AI antagonist who adds to the horror of this series.
However, System Shock 2 is more than just this oppressive AI — the solitude that one feels on board the isolated starship, coupled with the uniqueness of the level design, makes for a truly riveting experience that most fans still think about fondly more than two decades after the game's original release.
5 Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines
When one talks about underrated masterpieces, it goes without saying that Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines would definitely be a part of this list.
While the buggy launch of this title might've ultimately proven to be its downfall from a commercial standpoint — along with the fact that it was released on the same day as Half-Life 2 — people who ignored this RPG missed out on one of the deepest role-playing experience of all time.
People who love themselves a deep and interconnected RPG would definitely be entertained by this title.
4 Deus Ex
Along with the Thief series, Deus Ex is considered by many to be one of the first titles that pioneered the wave of immersive sims that is still running strong to this day, with Cyberpunk 2077 looking all set to be the latest addition to this trend.
Deus Ex is easily one of the best video games of all time, with the story being nothing more than a well-written conspiracy that will definitely keep fans hooked to the very end of this admittedly brilliant title.
3 Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Gameplay freedom is one of the biggest aspects of the Thief series, and no modern game personifies this aspect better than Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
While the story might be nothing to write home about, there's no denying the fact that The Phantom Pain easily has some of the most unique and diverse gameplay of all time, allowing players to use a whole host of methods to tackle objectives in the most seamless manner possible.
2 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
It would be impossible to talk about immersive role-playing games without mentioning the absolute masterpiece that is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Bethesda might not be the greatest video game studio around right now, but there's no denying the fact that Skyrim is undoubtedly one of their greatest games that is still running strong to this very day.
1 Fallout: New Vegas
Speaking of role-playing titles that prioritize immersion over everything else, one simply has to mention the masterpiece that is Fallout: New Vegas. It's a title that put Obsidian Entertainment on the map, while simultaneously showing how grossly Bethesda was mismanaging this legendary IP.
New Vegas is considered by many to be the greatest game in the Fallout series, combining the old-school role-playing interconnectivity of Fallout 1 and 2 with all the modern gameplay nuances present in modern titles, making for an experience that is truly brilliant in every sense of the word.
While it might be a challenge to play this game without mods, players who are willing to put in the extra effort will enable themselves to enjoy a mind-blowing role-playing experience that is bound to be stuck in their minds for the years to come.