Is it cheating to pick an immersive sim? Probably the original Bioshock. I know it was dumbed down from System Shock 2 (which I later played and enjoyed). But when I was a teenager and played it for the first time I was completely pulled into that world.
Similar but distinct runner up would go to Metroid Prime which my child brain found unbelievably immersive. It is exactly like what I’d imagine exploring an alien planet to feel like.
Honourable mention to Dark Souls 1 where the mythology feels simultaneously vague and fleshed out. Somehow the vagueness adds to the authenticity. Your actions mattering and killable NPCs also help.
Is it cheating to pick an immersive sim? Probably the original Bioshock. I know it was dumbed down from System Shock 2 (which I later played and enjoyed). But when I was a teenager and played it for the first time I was completely pulled into that world.
Similar but distinct runner up would go to Metroid Prime which my child brain found unbelievably immersive. It is exactly like what I’d imagine exploring an alien planet to feel like.
Honourable mention to Dark Souls 1 where the mythology feels simultaneously vague and fleshed out. Somehow the vagueness adds to the authenticity. Your actions mattering and killable NPCs also help.