Differences between Immersive Sim & RPG?

[Bogart]

Just trying to see what are the actual differences are because both typically include:

- Playstyle choice (Stealth, Pacifism, all out attack (also with varying approaches e.g., long distance weapons, close up assassinations etc.)
- Customisability (regarding both appearance and skills)
- Levelling system
- Exploration
- Decision & Conversations trees
- Differing endings

Please include any solid examples of games too as I'd like this to also be a recommendation thread of sorts...

[Crazy Tiger]

Genre definitions are largely subjective and fluid.

Deus Ex is a good example of an immersive sim, though personally I don't use that genre description as to me it's simply an ARPG game with focus on stealth.

The Thief games are also considered immersive sims by some, but simply stealth games by others.

[Bogart]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

Genre definitions are largely subjective and fluid.

Deus Ex is a good example of an immersive sim, though personally I don't use that genre description as to me it's simply an ARPG game with focus on stealth.

The Thief games are also considered immersive sims by some, but simply stealth games by others.

Yeah, it's interesting. I had Human Revolution and Skyrim specifically in mind when writing the post and couldn't really see what distinguishes one from the other at the level of those features I listed. (Okay Skyrim is fully open world whereas Human Revolution has a hub world and some decently sized levels)

[Kargor]

For me, a "sim" is a simulation, so it tries to emulate the real world. Like a racing sim vs. an arcade racer. So none of the above would even come close to being a "sim"...