Maniac similar games & best alternatives

Maniac

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S • 2024

Should you play it?

Ever just tired of it all? Ready for change? Wanna bet it all on sheer mayhem and destruction? In comes Maniac, a rogue-lite crime action game in which the world goes against you, and your insanity creates chaos!

What works
  • Addictive chaotic gameplay
  • Strong nostalgic gta 1/2 vibe
  • Good value for price
  • Character progression and unlocks
  • Map editor and mod support
Things to keep in mind
  • Repetitive gameplay loop
  • Limited content variety
  • Some control and ui rough edges
  • No multiplayer or social features
  • Unlock grind can be tedious

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Gunlocked

  • Soulstone Survivors: Prologue

  • Dungeon Journey

  • SurrounDead

  • 死寂（Deathly Stillness）

  • Demon Hunt

  • Microcosmum: survival of cells

  • Neon Sundown

  • Nomad Survival
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Dungeon Journey

  • Neon Sundown

  • BYTEPATH
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Value

    Superflight
  • Violence

    Painkiller Overdose
  • Autonomy

    Cobalt

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).

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

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 customize characters, choose weapons, and create maps with an in-depth editor, allowing personal control over gameplay and strategies."

    Capsule for Cobalt Cobalt

    "Players freely choose characters, weapons, and playstyle with rogue-lite progression and map editor support, allowing personal control over gameplay."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game involves skillful driving, combat tactics, vehicle upgrades, and resource management, though some aspects are repetitive."

    Capsule for Hard Truck Apocalypse / Ex Machina Hard Truck Apocalypse / Ex Machina

    "Game involves skillful driving, shooting, and survival against escalating enemies with feedback on performance, though some find it repetitive."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -2

    "Focus is on personal progression and self-set goals; no mention of ranked modes or direct player-vs-player competition."

    Capsule for Desktop Survivors 98 Desktop Survivors 98

    "Focuses on personal progression and self-set goals with no mention of ranked modes or direct player-vs-player competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Addictive gameplay loop with upgrades and multiple characters encourages repeated play sessions and replayability."

    Capsule for Super Motherload Super Motherload

    "Addictive gameplay loop with character unlocks and upgrades encourages repeated play sessions, though some find it repetitive after hours."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -4

    "Primarily a single-player experience with no mention of cooperative multiplayer or teamwork."

    Capsule for DEMON'S TILT DEMON'S TILT

    "Primarily a single-player experience with no mention of cooperative multiplayer or teamwork."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Includes a map editor and community content allowing creation and modification, though core gameplay is mission-based."

    Capsule for Starship Troopers: Terran Command Starship Troopers: Terran Command

    "Includes map editor and some customization of characters and upgrades, but core gameplay follows established structures."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    1

    "Some violent actions against NPCs but no social dominance or player-to-player power dynamics."

    Capsule for Meteor 60 Seconds! Meteor 60 Seconds!

    "Players exert control over NPCs and enemies in chaotic rampages, but no evidence of social dominance or trash talk."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Provides intense distraction through violent, fast-paced gameplay and immersive dark atmosphere, helping players escape real-life stress."

    Capsule for BUTCHER BUTCHER

    "Provides mindless, violent fun and stress relief with chaotic gameplay and dark humor, serving as an escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Pathway Pathway

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Players try different gear, skills, and strategies, though core gameplay loop is repetitive."

    Capsule for Attack on Titan 2 - A.O.T.2 Attack on Titan 2 - A.O.T.2

    "Players try different characters, weapons, and upgrades with some procedural generation, though core loop is repetitive."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    1

    "Some exploration of maps and secrets, but largely familiar environments and repeated locations dominate gameplay."

    Capsule for Dead by Daylight Dead by Daylight

    "Some procedural map elements and secrets exist, but gameplay mostly occurs in familiar city environments."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Character customization allows some self-expression, though visual options are limited."

    Capsule for Avernum: Escape From the Pit Avernum: Escape From the Pit

    "Character selection and upgrade customization allow some self-expression, though visual customization is limited."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "The game presents a surreal, exaggerated dystopian world with absurd characters and scenarios."

    Capsule for SLUDGE LIFE SLUDGE LIFE

    "Features exaggerated, cartoonish violence and absurd characters like drunken Santa and psychotic clowns, creating a fictional chaotic world."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "No social or community features emphasized; primarily a solo experience."

    Capsule for Bleak Faith: Forsaken Bleak Faith: Forsaken

    "No social or community features emphasized; primarily a solo experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills in driving, shooting, and mission strategies; some character progression and upgrades available."

    Capsule for Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City

    "Players learn and improve skills in driving, shooting, and strategy with character progression and unlocks."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Encourages sedentary, passive play with no physical activity component."

    Capsule for Crazy Oddballs: Idle RPG Crazy Oddballs: Idle RPG

    "Encourages sedentary play with no physical activity elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires active attention and focus during chaotic gameplay; not suited for passive or background play."

    Capsule for Bro Falls Bro Falls

    "Requires focused attention during chaotic gameplay; not suited for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional sharing; gameplay is individual."

    Capsule for Taur Taur

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional sharing; gameplay is individual and impersonal."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; purely individual play."

    Capsule for Universe Sandbox Universe Sandbox

    "No leadership or group management roles; purely individual play."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating upgrades, unlocking characters, and improving equipment."

    Capsule for Super Motherload Super Motherload

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating upgrades, unlocking characters, and improving abilities through repeated play."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Gameplay can be satisfying and cathartic but also involves tension and challenge."

    Capsule for Attack on Titan 2 - A.O.T.2 Attack on Titan 2 - A.O.T.2

    "Provides cathartic stress relief and flow through chaotic but fun gameplay, though some tension exists from escalating threats."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable visual effects like colorful explosions and satisfying sounds enhance sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Time Clickers Time Clickers

    "Offers sensory stimulation with explosions, sound effects, and colorful visuals enhancing emotional fun."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "Achievements exist but social recognition or popularity is not a major focus."

    Capsule for Bum Simulator Bum Simulator

    "Achievements exist but social recognition or popularity is not a major focus."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -4

    "No narrative or campaign; gameplay centers on endless survival waves without plot or character interaction."

    Capsule for Zombie Kill of the Week - Reborn Zombie Kill of the Week - Reborn

    "No narrative or missions; gameplay centers on a single survival rampage without plot."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Requires some tactical thinking in ability and upgrade selection and combat positioning, though overall gameplay is straightforward."

    Capsule for What the Fog What the Fog

    "Requires some tactical decisions on upgrades, vehicle use, and combat, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Enjoyment from explosive destruction, combat tension, and risky missions."

    Capsule for Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered

    "Enjoyment from escalating police chases, explosions, and survival tension before nuclear strike."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "Highly praised for excellent value for money and replayability at low price."

    Capsule for Superflight Superflight

    "Highly praised for its low price and replay value, delivering excellent return on investment."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around violent combat, gore, and destruction of enemies."

    Capsule for Painkiller Overdose Painkiller Overdose

    "Core gameplay revolves around violent rampages, destruction, and combat with over-the-top gore and chaos."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must survive escalating enemy waves and manage resources to avoid defeat."

    Capsule for Neon Sundown Neon Sundown

    "Players must survive waves of enemies and escalating threats until the timer ends."

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Last update: 01/06/2026