Why do we play games? Maybe to escape from reality, or maybe to pass the time while waiting for something, sometimes we are driven by simple curiosity, which makes us want to explore unknown lands and spaces. Either way, in order to immerse ourselves in the world, we must believe in it.
However, it takes a lot of money and time to create a living world. And not every publisher is willing to take risks, especially when such games do not sell well. But even these days there are companies that are willing to work, more for art than money.
One such company is Arkane Studios, which opened back in 1999. It has created many games where the player is free to be whomever he wants and can do whatever he wants, in worlds where the choices are carefully crafted so that they feel important and emotionally charged.

The plot of Dark Messiah unfolds in the strategy world of Heroes of Sword and Magic and there’s not much I can say about it other than it’s typical fantasy. It is populated by humans, elves, orcs, undead, dragons and the like. Our hero is a mage named Saref. He, like any young man, dreams of becoming a hero. And at one point, on his shoulders is a mission to find a mystical artifact of the Skull of Shadows.
The plot is not striking us with its originality, but it may surprise you with an unexpected twist, although you can come up with it during the game.

The gameplay is really the strong side of the game. As our hero is a magician, he will use different spells, like freezing, healing, lightning, fire and magic traps, hypnosis and so on. But the hero is not limited to magic alone, he is able to use swords, staffs, daggers, shields and bows.
During the game, the hero for completing certain tasks will receive skill points. These he can pump magical, combat or passive abilities. In the magical branch, he will learn spells in combat – to wield weapons melee or ranged, and the passive will increase health, mana, learn how to pick locks, etc. Also, the hero has the ability to kick enemies and thus throw them from a height or push them on spikes.
On some locations there are a lot of enemies and simply swinging your sword won’t overcome them easily. The game encourages you to use your own abilities and environment. You can take a jug of oil and throw it to your enemies and then burn them with spell, you can cut the rope, that holds chandelier and it will fall on your enemies, you can take frosty bow and shoot your enemies’ legs, immobilizing them. Or you can not engage in open combat and deprive everyone of life from the shadows. The game will provide tools for all styles of play.

In fact, don’t underestimate the power of everyday objects. Once in the game, using telekinesis, I threw a frying pan at a man and severed his arm.

The world in the game is divided into vast locations. And these locations are filled with many interactive elements, lockers and windows with doors that open, interior items that you can take and throw at the enemy. In some places there will be characters and do their job or talk to each other, which perfectly helps to immerse yourself in the world of the game.
The locations themselves are often intelligently constructed, but the questions – “Where do I go now?” – sometimes arise. Exploring the levels is encouraged by finding secrets that hold valuable items.

Graphics and technical components, look dated because of the engine, which gives not vyvoriznuyu picture and is able to show the beautiful scenery. But at the same time, it is not designed for melee weapon combat and rapid movement. Movement in the air looks twitchy, and the sword, at times difficult to hit the enemy.

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic despite the years is played briskly, although it feels that by the end, and the forces and the means were coming to an end. It allows you to immerse yourself in your world and brings positive emotions from the gameplay.

I advise everyone to play it

Immersive sim games do a great job in the main task of all games, to provide fun and immerse in an interesting world. They give the player freedom and choice. Do not keep you as an idiot, and present interesting challenges, with many solutions. But how is it that they became unnecessary?
Nowadays, when money is in first place, no one wants to invest in expensive projects that have the slightest artistic value, but may not sell well.
But okay, if the problem was only in publishers, the players themselves do not want to spend money on such games. They don’t want to play a quality game that respects their own player. They go and play slag.
Immersive sim is an interesting genre, but only a small number of people want it and it’s extremely sad. And so, if you like smart games, you should definitely buy, exactly buy Prey, the last representative of a dying genre at the moment.