Mainlining similar games & best alternatives

Mainlining

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch • 2017

Should you play it?

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.

What works
  • Engaging investigative gameplay
  • Strong narrative and characters
  • Unique pixel art style
  • Immersive hacking simulation
  • Challenging but accessible puzzles
Things to keep in mind
  • Short game length
  • Limited replay value
  • Some ui and bug issues
  • Linear progression
  • Lack of deep social interaction

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • >observer_

  • Beyond a Steel Sky

  • The Light Remake

  • The Station

  • Thimbleweed Park™

  • Pilot Brothers

  • The Case of the Golden Idol

  • Virtual Virtual Reality

  • VirtuaVerse
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Pilot Brothers

  • Blackwell Unbound

  • Secret Files: Tunguska
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    The Journey Down: Chapter One
  • Autonomy

    Metaphobia
  • Competence

    Hypnospace Outlaw

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).

Mainlining: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Survival.

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

    3

    "Players have freedom to explore, investigate, and solve puzzles with some trial and error, though the game is linear in story progression."

    Capsule for Metaphobia Metaphobia

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

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "The game involves puzzle-solving and investigative tasks requiring skillful observation and deduction."

    Capsule for Hypnospace Outlaw Hypnospace Outlaw

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

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for The Red Stare The Red Stare

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

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    -2

    "Short game length (~1 hour), limited replay value, players often finish quickly and do not return."

    Capsule for Mind Spheres Mind Spheres

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

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    2

    "Players interact socially, chat, and play together in multiplayer; cooperation is present but mostly competitive or social rather than task-focused teamwork."

    Capsule for Sports Bar VR Sports Bar VR

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    1

    "Some freedom in resource allocation and choices, but mostly structured within predefined story and mechanics."

    Capsule for Yes, Your Grace Yes, Your Grace

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

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over other players; gameplay is single-player focused."

    Capsule for Cthulhu Saves Christmas Cthulhu Saves Christmas

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

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Players enjoy immersion in a fictional hacking world as a form of distraction and stress relief."

    Capsule for Hacker Simulator: Free Trial Hacker Simulator: Free Trial

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

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Civilization® V Sid Meier's Civilization® V

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Players try different routes and endings, experimenting with strategies and puzzle solutions."

    Capsule for Evil Nun: The Broken Mask Evil Nun: The Broken Mask

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

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Game involves discovering new areas, secrets, and lore documents, rewarding curiosity."

    Capsule for Changed Changed

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

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited customization or personalization; players mainly use predefined UI and character options."

    Capsule for Tech Support: Error Unknown Tech Support: Error Unknown

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

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "The game simulates a hacker role with some fictional elements but grounded in realistic tools and scenarios."

    Capsule for HackHub - Ultimate Hacker Simulator HackHub - Ultimate Hacker Simulator

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

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -3

    "Game is primarily single-player with minimal social or community interaction in gameplay."

    Capsule for Xenonauts Xenonauts

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

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop investigative skills and understanding through reading, deduction, and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Darkness Within 1: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder Darkness Within 1: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder

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

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Farming Simulator 19 Farming Simulator 19

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

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

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

    Capsule for Pilot Brothers Pilot Brothers

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

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited social or emotional connections; interactions are mostly narrative and impersonal."

    Capsule for SpellForce: Conquest of Eo SpellForce: Conquest of Eo

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

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -4

    "Player acts independently without leading or managing others cooperatively."

    Capsule for Overboard! Overboard!

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

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players accumulate evidence, unlock cases, and gain story progression."

    Capsule for Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy

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

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Generally relaxing puzzle gameplay with some moments of challenge and tension."

    Capsule for Bridge Constructor Medieval Bridge Constructor Medieval

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

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Pleasant pixel art and ambient music provide mild sensory enjoyment."

    Capsule for Mars Power Industries Deluxe Mars Power Industries Deluxe

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

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Insurmountable Insurmountable

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

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Strong narrative focus with engaging characters and unfolding plot."

    Capsule for The Journey Down: Chapter One The Journey Down: Chapter One

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

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires logical reasoning, planning, and problem solving to connect clues and solve cases."

    Capsule for Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments

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

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some suspense and tension from timed puzzles and potential failure, but overall controlled experience."

    Capsule for I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine

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

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    1

    "Good value especially on sale; some players note short length but high enjoyment."

    Capsule for Untitled Goose Game Untitled Goose Game

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

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for Sherlock Holmes - Nemesis Sherlock Holmes - Nemesis

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

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Operation: Tango Operation: Tango

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

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Last update: 01/06/2026