In the ever-evolving realm of immersive simulations, a few titles have recently captured the attention of both critics and players alike. These games, each unique in their own right, push the boundaries of conventional game design and storytelling, offering experiences that are as intriguing as they are unconventional.
Cruelty Squad: A Dystopian Dive
Cruelty Squad is an experience like no other. Described by our reviewer Nic as "a maximum effort shitpost wearing a puke-stained Rainbow Six t-shirt," this game defies the norms of attractiveness and game design wisdom. The visual assault begins with a clammy frame surrounding your view, mismatching textures that challenge your eyes, and default controls that are nothing short of awkward ("R" to interact, "X" to crouch). The soundtrack? Imagine a sentient cheese grater composing in a digital audio workstation and labeling it "music.wav."
For those who revel in the bizarre, Cruelty Squad offers a punishing charm. You can trade human organs on the stock market, invest in an "ammunition gland" that continuously generates bullets, or don "nightmare vision goggles" that emit a putrid stench with seemingly no effect. One of the priciest items in the game's menu is a house in the countryside. While it may not be for everyone, Cruelty Squad demands acknowledgment for its audacious approach.
Shadows Of Doubt: The Procedural Detective
Shadows Of Doubt takes the "sim" aspect of immersive sim to heart. This procedural detective game immerses players in a fully functioning noir city, complete with residents following preset routines. However, some of these ordinary folk are murderers. As the investigator, your task is to identify these killers using clues like financial transactions, broken windows, telling emails, and secret notes.
The game's ambition is evident not just in its premise but also in the amusing bugs that arise from its deep simulation. For instance, assassins using sniper rifles often miss their shots, leaving mounds of spent bullet casings in apartment buildings. If emergent nonsense defines an immersive sim, then Shadows Of Doubt certainly qualifies.
Bloodlines' Accidental Power Fantasy
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines, a 90s role-playing game, arguably fits the immersive sim mould. It offers a hub world with freedom to explore, a stats-pumped character ranging from ugly sewer monster to sultry neck biter, and characters waiting for you to disrupt their lives. Many admirers of Bloodlines have roamed the halls of RPS, muttering to themselves and turning into smoke when perceived.
The sequel, Bloodlines 2, announced in 2019 and swapping developers in 2021, has faced development challenges. It remains to be seen if it can capture hearts like the original, which balanced sex and sadism with sneaking into blood donor clinics for snacks. But hope remains high among fans.
These games, each with their unique flair and approach to immersive simulation, continue to push the boundaries of what players can expect from their gaming experiences. Whether it's the dystopian chaos of Cruelty Squad, the procedural detective work in Shadows Of Doubt, or the vampiric allure of Bloodlines, there's something for every kind of reprobate out there.
