Intake similar games & best alternatives

Intake

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac • 2013

Should you play it?

Intake is the new retro-futuristic drugstep arcade shooter from Cipher Prime. In this polychromatic love child of Dr. Mario and Ikaruga, you battle a never-ending barrage of pills, pushing your skill and reflexes to the limit to avoid a lethal dosage.

What works
  • Addictive and challenging gameplay
  • Excellent reflex and aiming skill training
  • Stylish neon visuals and immersive dubstep soundtrack
  • Variety of unlockable power-ups and modes
  • Leaderboards and achievements for competition
Things to keep in mind
  • Limited music tracks and repetitive soundtrack
  • Steep difficulty spikes especially at certain levels
  • Lack of tutorial or clear instructions
  • Can cause physical strain from intense mouse use
  • No narrative or social multiplayer features

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Project Rhombus

  • Aaero

  • Super Hexagon

  • Thumper

  • Boson X

  • Velocibox

  • Leap Up no jutsu

  • ARCADE GAME SERIES: PAC-MAN

  • Neon Drive

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Project Rhombus

  • Leap Up no jutsu

  • 1 Screen Platformer

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    ARCADE GAME SERIES: GALAGA

  • Sensation

    Ultratron

  • Autonomy

    RIVE

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Intake: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Story, Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Relaxation, Creativity.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have control over movement, shooting direction, weapon choice, and hacking enemies, with freedom to explore levels and use upgrades."

    Capsule for RIVE RIVE

    "Players have control over aiming, shooting, and color switching, with freedom to choose upgrades and starting levels."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "The game is challenging and requires skill to survive and achieve high scores; players report mastering patterns and improving reflexes."

    Capsule for ARCADE GAME SERIES: GALAGA ARCADE GAME SERIES: GALAGA

    "The game is a challenging reflex and aiming test with increasing difficulty and skill-based progression."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    3

    "Includes leaderboards and score challenges encouraging players to compete for high scores."

    Capsule for Iron Fisticle Iron Fisticle

    "Includes leaderboards and score challenges against others, encouraging competitive play."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Highly addictive gameplay with many hours played, frequent retries, and desire to improve scores and unlock content."

    Capsule for Crimsonland Crimsonland

    "Highly addictive gameplay with players returning repeatedly to improve scores and unlock content."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player focused with no cooperative or team-based elements."

    Capsule for 0RBITALIS 0RBITALIS

    "Single-player focused with no cooperative or team-based elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    -2

    "Gameplay follows a fixed mechanic with limited customization beyond unlocking characters and themes."

    Capsule for Roll'd Roll'd

    "Gameplay follows a fixed mechanic with some customization via upgrades but limited creative expression."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are individual and balanced."

    Capsule for Crafty Survivors Crafty Survivors

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are individual and balanced."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Fast-paced arcade action with immersive visuals and music provides distraction and stress relief."

    Capsule for Ultratron Ultratron

    "Fast-paced, intense arcade action with immersive visuals and music provides a strong escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge without obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for My Friend Pedro My Friend Pedro

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and challenge without obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Multiple modes and power-ups encourage players to try different strategies and playstyles."

    Capsule for Void Invaders Void Invaders

    "Unlocking different power-ups and modes encourages trying new strategies and gameplay variations."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    -3

    "Gameplay occurs in a single environment with no new areas or secrets to discover."

    Capsule for Fruit Mountain Fruit Mountain

    "Gameplay occurs in a fixed environment with no exploration of new areas or secrets."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization or self-expression; visuals and music change with performance but no player-driven personalization."

    Capsule for BIT.TRIP BEAT BIT.TRIP BEAT

    "Limited customization mostly related to power-ups and music unlocks rather than personal expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    2

    "Stylized visuals and character Cranky provide some imaginative elements, though grounded in rhythm gameplay."

    Capsule for Beatblock Beatblock

    "The drug and rave theme adds a stylized, imaginative layer beyond realistic scenarios."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social or community interaction."

    Capsule for Batman™: Arkham Knight Batman™: Arkham Knight

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social or community interaction."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop reflexes and improve skill over time, with clear progression in performance."

    Capsule for Rapid Tap Rapid Tap

    "Players improve reflexes and aiming skills, with measurable progress through levels and unlocks."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with reports of physical strain (e.g. wrist pain) from intense mouse use."

    Capsule for Endoparasitic Endoparasitic

    "Sedentary gameplay with intense mouse use; some risk of physical strain noted."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires constant attention and fast reactions; not suitable for passive or background play."

    Capsule for One Finger Death Punch One Finger Death Punch

    "Requires continuous attention and fast reactions; not suitable for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing involved."

    Capsule for Word Play Word Play

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing involved."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles present."

    Capsule for Half-Life: Alyx Half-Life: Alyx

    "No leadership or group management roles present."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Unlocking characters, upgrades, and items provides a sense of advancement and power accumulation."

    Capsule for Dungeon Peplum Dungeon Peplum

    "Unlockable power-ups, music tracks, and modes provide a sense of advancement and accumulation."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -3

    "High difficulty and fast pace create sustained tension rather than relaxation or flow."

    Capsule for Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action!

    "High intensity and fast pace create tension rather than relaxation or flow."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    5

    "Vibrant neon visuals, flashy effects, and electronic music provide strong sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Ultratron Ultratron

    "Bright neon visuals, flashing effects, and dubstep soundtrack provide strong sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    2

    "Leaderboards and achievements offer some recognition but limited social status focus."

    Capsule for Super House of Dead Ninjas Super House of Dead Ninjas

    "Leaderboards and achievements offer some social recognition but limited broader status impact."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -4

    "No narrative or plot; gameplay is context-free and focused on score and mechanics."

    Capsule for SNAKE FARM SNAKE FARM

    "No narrative or plot; gameplay is context-free and focused on score attack."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Players plan routes and upgrade purchases, though core gameplay is mostly reflex-based platforming."

    Capsule for Freedom Fall Freedom Fall

    "Some strategic choice in upgrade selection and power-up use, but core gameplay is reflex-based."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "Fast-paced gameplay with risk of instant failure creates suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for One More Line One More Line

    "Fast-paced, intense gameplay with risk of failure creates suspense and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    2

    "Generally considered good value especially on sale for the unique gameplay and replayability."

    Capsule for Size Matters Size Matters

    "Generally considered good value for money, especially on sale, with replayability and unlocks."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No violent or destructive gameplay; focus is on sports and tricks."

    Capsule for Tricky Madness Tricky Madness

    "No violent or destructive gameplay; focused on shooting colorful pills."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must avoid failure by managing hallucinations and deciding when to take pills to survive days."

    Capsule for Who's at the door? Who's at the door?

    "Players must avoid failure by managing falling pills and limited lives, requiring skillful defense."

Last update: 01/06/2026