Malum similar games & best alternatives

Malum

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2021

Should you play it?

Malum is the premier C-list horror game. Run from a motely collection of bizarre demons then summon in some guns to turn the tables on them. Best enjoyed with friends.

What works
  • Fun and challenging cooperative gameplay
  • Unique monsters and maps
  • Good value for price
  • Active and responsive developer
  • Engaging horror atmosphere with humor
Things to keep in mind
  • Limited content and maps
  • Some bugs and ai quirks
  • Slow pacing and stamina system complaints
  • In-game voice chat issues
  • Replayability limited after achievements

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Murky Divers

  • KLETKA

  • Subterror

  • Occult

  • PIT OF GOBLIN

  • Nuclear Nightmare

  • PILGRIM

  • Forsaken Frontiers

  • A Day Out
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Forsaken Frontiers

  • MetaPhysical

  • EXOME
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Cooperation

    Tom Clancy’s The Division® 2
  • Fantasy

    Ghost Watchers
  • Fellowship

    Phasmophobia

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).

Malum: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Fellowship. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation.

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 freedom to explore maps, spot anomalies, and decide collectively on progression; gameplay emphasizes player observation and decision-making rather than fixed routines."

    Capsule for The Anomaly Project The Anomaly Project

    "Players have freedom to explore maps, find clues, decide when to fight or hide, and choose strategies; game encourages player decision-making rather than fixed routines."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game is challenging with skill-based combat, puzzle solving, and requires learning item interactions and enemy behaviors."

    Capsule for Unexplored Unexplored

    "Game is challenging with skill-based elements such as puzzle solving, stealth, resource management, and combat; players receive feedback and improve with practice."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on cooperative and solo play with no mention of ranked or PvP competition; emphasis on personal progress and team play."

    Capsule for Shape of Dreams: Prologue Shape of Dreams: Prologue

    "Focus is on cooperative play and personal/team progress rather than direct competition or leaderboards; no evidence of ranked or PvP modes."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report long play sessions, habitual play with friends, and replaying maps for fun despite some grind and limited content."

    Capsule for The Break-In The Break-In

    "Players report replay value with multiple maps and difficulties, enjoying repeated sessions especially with friends, though some mention limited content."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on co-op gameplay, with players recommending playing with friends and praising teamwork mechanics."

    Capsule for Tom Clancy’s The Division® 2 Tom Clancy’s The Division® 2

    "Strong emphasis on teamwork and communication to solve puzzles, distract enemies, and survive; best experience is with friends in co-op mode."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Some customization in character colors and equipment; players can experiment with different strategies and gear."

    Capsule for Forsaken Frontiers Forsaken Frontiers

    "Some customization of avatars and equipment slots; players can experiment with different strategies and approaches to puzzles and combat."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions emphasize shared survival and cooperation rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

    Capsule for Generation Zero® Generation Zero®

    "Interactions emphasize shared survival and cooperation rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a spooky distraction and stress relief with immersive horror atmosphere."

    Capsule for The Cabin Factory The Cabin Factory

    "Players use the game as a fun, spooky distraction with immersive horror atmosphere and adrenaline-inducing moments."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or pressure to play."

    Capsule for Iron Harvest Iron Harvest

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or pressure to play."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with different strategies, weapons, and base defenses; game encourages puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Dread Dawn Dread Dawn

    "Players try different tactics, learn enemy behaviors, and explore maps; some novelty in randomized puzzle elements encourages experimentation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "The game encourages discovering new areas, secrets, and collectibles across a varied map."

    Capsule for Chicory: A Colorful Tale Chicory: A Colorful Tale

    "Game involves discovering symbols, searching maps for clues and items, and navigating diverse environments with some randomness."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some avatar customization and building placement allow personal expression, but limited cosmetic options."

    Capsule for Tropico Reloaded Tropico Reloaded

    "Some avatar and equipment customization allows for personal expression, though limited cosmetic options noted."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Game strongly features supernatural fiction, ghost lore, and imaginative horror scenarios."

    Capsule for Ghost Watchers Ghost Watchers

    "Game features supernatural demons, rituals, and horror fiction elements creating a strong imaginative fantasy experience."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    5

    "Community and social connection are central, with players enjoying shared experiences and group identity."

    Capsule for Phasmophobia Phasmophobia

    "Community and social play are central; players enjoy shared experiences, voice chat, and developer engagement with the player base."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills in movement, combat, and puzzle solving, with learning curves noted."

    Capsule for PAPERHEAD EP.0 PAPERHEAD EP.0

    "Players develop skills in puzzle solving, stealth, and combat; learning curve and mastery are part of the experience."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

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

    Capsule for The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV

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

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and active engagement during gameplay; not designed for passive or background play."

    Capsule for Super Mega Baseball 3 Super Mega Baseball 3

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during gameplay; not suited for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    3

    "Community interactions foster friendships and meaningful social connections beyond surface level."

    Capsule for The Black Watchmen The Black Watchmen

    "Social interactions with friends and community foster some emotional connection and shared experiences."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    1

    "Some players take informal leadership roles in coordinating team actions, but no formal leadership mechanics."

    Capsule for Subterror Subterror

    "Some players may take informal leadership roles in coordinating team efforts, but no formal leadership mechanics."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players collect items, weapons, and perks, and progress through levels and unlocks."

    Capsule for BIGFOOT BIGFOOT

    "Players collect items, unlock avatars and equipment slots, and advance through achievements and difficulty levels."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Game is tense and challenging with jump scares; some players find it stressful rather than relaxing."

    Capsule for Object N Object N

    "Game is tense and challenging with jump scares and pressure, though some find it fun and cathartic."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Engaging audio-visual effects and jump scares provide sensory stimulation and emotional excitement."

    Capsule for Dark Hours Dark Hours

    "Engaging audio-visual effects, jump scares, and music provide sensory stimulation and emotional excitement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "No evidence of social status or recognition systems; focus is on cooperative play rather than social ranking."

    Capsule for Ghost Exorcism INC. Ghost Exorcism INC.

    "No evidence of social status or popularity systems; focus is on cooperative play rather than recognition."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Some narrative elements through objectives and atmosphere, but overall gameplay is context-driven rather than story-heavy."

    Capsule for Zombie Panic! Source Zombie Panic! Source

    "Some lore and narrative elements exist but gameplay is primarily objective and puzzle-driven rather than story-heavy."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Players use planning, problem solving, and tactical thinking to survive and progress."

    Capsule for Abiotic Factor Abiotic Factor

    "Players use planning, resource management, and tactical thinking to survive and complete objectives."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "Game delivers suspense, jump scares, and adrenaline-inducing chase sequences."

    Capsule for The Designer's Curse The Designer's Curse

    "Game delivers suspense, jump scares, and adrenaline-inducing chases contributing to thrilling experiences."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players perceive strong value for money due to depth, replayability, and quality content."

    Capsule for RAM: Random Access Mayhem RAM: Random Access Mayhem

    "Players perceive strong value for money given the price, quality, and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat against demons involves ranged and melee violence, with some destructive elements."

    Capsule for Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation

    "Combat against demons with weapons is a core mechanic, involving shooting and defeating enemies."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Players must avoid death, manage resources, and overcome increasingly difficult threats."

    Capsule for Dungeons of Dredmor Dungeons of Dredmor

    "Players must avoid death, manage resources, and strategically evade or confront threats to survive."

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026