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Mainlining similar games & best alternatives

Mainlining

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch • 2017

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Quick resume

After MI7 has been hacked, your primary goal is to bring a cyber-criminal network to justice. Played entirely from your computer's desktop, Mainlining is a thrilling point and click hacking adventure that features a gripping narrative which will have you hooked from the very first case.

Global score

77/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Simulator

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging investigative gameplay
    • Strong narrative and characters
    • Unique pixel art style
    • Immersive hacking simulation
    • Challenging but accessible puzzles

    Cons

    • Short game length
    • Limited replay value
    • Some ui and bug issues
    • Linear progression
    • Lack of deep social interaction

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Thrill. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Continuation.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

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

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      3

      "Players have freedom to explore various leads and choose evidence to submit, but gameplay is linear and puzzle solutions are somewhat fixed."

    • Competence
      3

      "Game offers challenging puzzles and investigative tasks that require skillful deduction and information gathering."

    • Competition
      -4

      "Focus is on individual investigation and puzzle solving without player-vs-player or leaderboard elements."

    • Continuation
      -2

      "Game is relatively short with limited replay value; some players finish in a few hours and do not return often."

    • Cooperation
      2

      "Players interact with in-game team members via chat windows, simulating cooperation within the story context."

    • Creativity
      1

      "Some freedom in how to approach cases and which evidence to use, but mostly follows predefined structures."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over other players; gameplay is single-player and investigative."

    • Escapism
      3

      "Players use the game as a distraction and immersive experience in a fictional hacking world."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      2

      "Players try different leads and evidence combinations to solve puzzles, though within a linear framework."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Game encourages discovery of new websites, files, and clues to progress through cases."

    • Expression
      -3

      "Limited customization; players mostly interact with fixed UI and predefined characters."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Game presents a fictional dystopian hacking scenario with imaginative elements and story twists."

    • Fellowship
      -3

      "Minimal social interaction; gameplay is single-player with limited community or multiplayer features."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop investigative skills and learn to interpret clues and use in-game tools effectively."

    • Health
      -5

      "Game involves sedentary play with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles; not designed for background or casual intermittent play."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "Limited emotional or close social connections; interactions are scripted and impersonal."

    • Leadership
      -4

      "Player acts individually without leading or managing others; cooperation is simulated but not directed."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players accumulate evidence, unlock new tools and progress through a linear case-based story."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Game provides a moderately relaxing experience with some tension from puzzle challenges."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Pixel art and ambient music provide sensory enjoyment, though not highly stimulating or intense."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems; achievements and progress are personal and private."

    • Story
      4

      "Strong narrative focus with engaging plot, character interactions, and unfolding mystery."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Requires logical reasoning, planning, and problem-solving to piece together clues and solve cases."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some suspense and tension from investigation and puzzle solving, but overall controlled experience."

    • Value
      1

      "Generally considered good value especially on sale; some players note short length but satisfying content."

    • Violence
      -5

      "No combat or destruction; gameplay focuses on investigation and puzzle solving."

    • Survival
      -4

      "No survival or resource management elements; stable and low-risk gameplay environment."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026