Dishonored and BioShock stand as two of the most celebrated series in modern gaming. They excel at dropping players into richly detailed worlds, handing them an array of supernatural abilities, and then stepping back to let them decide how to overcome every obstacle. Whether you favoured the shadowy stealth of Corvo Attano or the plasmid-powered chaos of Rapture, these games share a DNA that fans often chase long after the credits roll. Finding something that scratches the same itch can be tricky, but the immersive sim genre and its creative offshoots have produced plenty of worthy experiences.
This guide cuts through the noise to bring you the ten best games that capture the spirit of Dishonored and BioShock. Each recommendation leans into at least one of the core pillars: first-person perspective, meaningful player choice, atmospheric world-building, and the thrill of wielding extraordinary powers. Whether you want more intricate level design, philosophical storytelling, or just a new playground for creative mayhem, there is something here for you.
What Makes Dishonored and BioShock So Compelling?
Before diving into the list, it helps to understand the common threads that define these experiences. Both Dishonored and BioShock belong to a tradition of first-person games that prioritise player agency above all else. They drop you into meticulously crafted environments where the story is told through environmental details, audio logs, and the actions you take. Combat is never just about shooting; it is about using a toolkit of unique abilities to manipulate the environment and enemies in clever ways.
In BioShock, Plasmids and Tonics let you electrocute pools of water, set traps with cyclone traps, or hypnotise Big Daddies to fight for you. The city of Rapture is a character in itself, a crumbling utopia that reflects the hubris of its founder. Dishonored takes a similar approach with its steampunk city of Dunwall, where the Outsider’s Mark grants you powers like Blink and Possession, encouraging you to ghost through levels or leave a trail of bodies. Both series also incorporate light RPG elements, allowing you to upgrade your abilities and tailor your playstyle to stealth, combat, or a mix of the two. The result is a feeling of ownership over your journey that few other games replicate.
The Best Games Like Dishonored and BioShock
These ten titles each capture parts of that magic, from deep systemic design to unforgettable settings. They are listed in no particular order, but every one of them deserves a spot in your library if you love the freedom and atmosphere of Dishonored and BioShock.
Prey (2017)
Developed by Arkane Studios, the same team behind Dishonored, Prey is arguably the most direct successor to BioShock’s legacy. You wake up on the Talos I space station, a gleaming art deco facility overrun by shape-shifting aliens called Typhon. Much like Rapture, the station is a decaying monument to scientific ambition, filled with emails and audio logs that piece together the tragedy. You quickly gain access to Neuromods that grant abilities such as turning into a coffee cup to squeeze through gaps or blasting enemies with psychokinetic force. Prey doubles down on player choice: almost every locked door can be bypassed by finding a key, hacking, repairing, using a crossbow to hit a button through a window, or simply transforming into a small object. The Gloo Cannon lets you freeze enemies and create platforms, adding verticality reminiscent of Dishonored’s Blink. If you crave the intelligent, systems-driven gameplay of both series, Prey is essential.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Mankind Divided
The modern Deus Ex games trade supernatural powers for cybernetic augmentations, but the philosophy is the same. Adam Jensen can hack turrets, punch through walls, cloak for stealth, and engage in philosophical debates that shape the narrative. The hub worlds of Detroit and Prague feel as meticulously designed as any Dishonored district, full of side quests and secret paths. You can complete entire missions without being seen or leaving a trail of unconscious guards, a hallmark of the stealth-pacifist runs Dishonored popularised. The art direction blends Renaissance aesthetics with cyberpunk, creating a unique atmosphere that echoes the stylishness of Rapture and Dunwall.
System Shock 2 (and the Upcoming Remake)
System Shock 2 is the godfather of the genre that spawned both Dishonored and BioShock. Trapped aboard a derelict starship, you fend off mutated crew members and rogue AI while upgrading skills and psychic abilities. The game pioneered the use of audio logs for environmental storytelling and the uneasy alliance between flesh and machine. Nightdive Studios’ recent remake of the first System Shock preserves that DNA with modern controls, and System Shock 2 Enhanced Edition is a great way to experience the original. If you want to see where the magic started and do not mind older visuals, it is a foundational piece of gaming history.
Deathloop
Another Arkane title, Deathloop distills the Dishonored movement and power fantasy into a time-looping assassination puzzle. You play as Colt, stuck on the island of Blackreef and forced to kill eight Visionaries in a single day to break the loop. You can use slabs that grant abilities like teleportation, invisibility, and a telekinetic shove, all of which feel straight out of Corvo’s arsenal. The 1960s-inspired art direction is vibrant and stylish, a sunnier contrast to the grim streets of Dunwall. While there is less emphasis on stealth purity, the freedom to approach each target from multiple angles is pure immersive sim joy.
We Happy Few
This game shares BioShock’s fascination with a dystopian society built on forced happiness. Set in an alternate 1960s England, the town of Wellington is kept docile by a drug called Joy, which masks a crumbling, morally bankrupt world. While the survival elements set it apart, the narrative-driven story, varied environments, and twisted societal themes echo the critique of blind ideology found in both series. The art style is striking, and sneaking through the grim underbelly of a seemingly cheerful city can evoke the same creeping dread as discovering the truth about Rapture.
The Outer Worlds
From Obsidian Entertainment, The Outer Worlds swaps the oceanic depths and plague-ridden streets for a colourful corporate-run solar system. It is a first-person RPG that prizes player choice in dialogue, combat, and quest resolution. The satirical tone mirrors BioShock’s critique of unchecked capitalism, but with a more overtly humorous bent. You can invest in stealth, persuasion, or combat skills, and the game often lets you talk your way through conflicts just as effectively as shooting. While it lacks supernatural powers, the tactical time dilation ability adds a strategic layer, and the companion system brings life to your journey.
Metro Exodus
The Metro series has always excelled at immersive first-person survival in a post-apocalyptic Russia, and Exodus opens up the formula into larger, sandbox-like levels. The tension of creeping through dark tunnels, managing scarce resources, and facing moral choices that affect the ending will resonate with fans of both Dishonored’s stealth pressure and BioShock’s resource management. The atmosphere is thick with despair and beauty, and the silent protagonist Artyom’s journey feels personal. While you do not have plasmids or magic, the world reacts to your actions in ways that make each encounter consequential.
Wolfenstein: The New Order
At first glance, Wolfenstein is a fast-paced shooter, but it shares important DNA with the biopunk aesthetic of BioShock. The alternate 1960s setting, where the Nazis won WWII using advanced technology, is filled with retro-futuristic weaponry and twisted science. The narrative, surprisingly heartfelt, explores rebellion against an overwhelming regime, much like BioShock Infinite’s themes. You can dual-wield assault rifles and play stealthily in some sections, taking down commanders to avoid reinforcements. It is more linear than an immersive sim, but the energetic gunplay and memorable world make it a worthy palette cleanser.
Control
Remedy’s Control puts you in the role of Jesse Faden, director of the Federal Bureau of Control, a brutalist office building that shifts and warps around you. The combat mixes gunplay with telekinetic powers that let you hurl chunks of concrete or levitate, feeling like the most polished version of BioShock’s telekinesis. The atmosphere is thick with mystery, and the Oldest House hides plenty of secrets and documents that flesh out the paranormal world. While it is less about moral choice, the sense of mastering a supernatural arsenal in a mind-bending environment is a pure thrill.
Alien: Isolation
If your favourite part of Dishonored was the tension of avoiding patrols and watching patterns, Alien: Isolation will keep you on the edge of your seat. You play as Amanda Ripley, trapped on a space station with a single, unscripted Xenomorph that learns from your behaviour. There are no superpowers here, only craftable gadgets and your wits, but the first-person stealth and survival horror echo the most nerve-racking moments of ghost runs. The station’s retro-futuristic design feels like a spiritual cousin to Rapture, all blinking lights and tarnished grandeur.
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre are Dishonored and BioShock?
Both are often described as immersive sims, a design philosophy that emphasises player choice, emergent gameplay, and reactive systems within a first-person perspective. BioShock leans more toward action RPG while Dishonored leans stealth-action, but they share the core immersive sim DNA.
Are there games like Dishonored that let me play without killing anyone?
Yes, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided allow complete pacifist runs. Prey also offers many non-lethal tools, and you can finish it without harming humans. Deathloop does not have a traditional pacifist mode but encourages non-lethal approaches for some objectives.
Which game is a good entry point for someone new to immersive sims?
Prey (2017) is arguably the best modern starting point because it teaches you its logic gently and offers flexible difficulty. Dishonored 2 also features a refined tutorial and accessible stealth mechanics.
Does Prey really feel like BioShock in space?
Absolutely. The art deco space station, audio logs, wrench-like weapon, and psychically granted abilities all directly evoke BioShock, while the level design echoes System Shock 2. It is a spiritual successor in all but name.
Are there any games that mix the atmosphere of BioShock with Dishonored-style stealth?
Deathloop blends Arkane’s signature stealth and power-based movement with a retro-60s vibe. We Happy Few also combines a stylised, dystopian setting with stealth and survival elements. For a pure stealth experience in a unique setting, the Dishonored series itself remains the best blend.
Do I need to play older System Shock games to enjoy Prey or BioShock?
No, each stands alone. Prey and BioShock are both spiritual successors that tell original stories. Playing System Shock 2 may enhance your appreciation for genre roots, but it is not required for enjoyment.
Stepping into any of these games will remind you why Dishonored and BioShock left such a lasting impression. Each offers a world worth exploring and the freedom to explore it your way. Whether you prefer lurking in shadows or bending the elements to your will, the immersive sim genre continues to deliver unforgettable experiences.
