RUINER Thumbnail

RUINER similar games & best alternatives

RUINER

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Linux • 2017

Related articles

Quick resume

RUINER is a brutal action shooter set in the year 2091 in the cyber metropolis Rengkok. A wired psychopath lashes out against a corrupt system to uncover the truth and retrieve his kidnapped brother under the guidance of a secretive hacker friend.

Global score

89/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Adventure, Strategy, Shooter

Similar games

    Pros

    • Stylish cyberpunk atmosphere
    • Dynamic and challenging combat
    • Flexible skill respec system
    • Excellent soundtrack
    • Fast-paced and satisfying gameplay

    Cons

    • Short campaign length
    • Linear level design
    • Some difficulty spikes
    • Limited story depth
    • No multiplayer or co-op

    Analysis

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

    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
      4

      "Players have freedom to respec skills anytime and adapt playstyle, but the story limits player agency as protagonist is controlled by others."

    • Competence
      4

      "Challenging combat requiring skillful dodging, aiming, and tactical use of abilities; punishing difficulty encourages mastery."

    • Competition
      2

      "Includes speedrun and arena modes with leaderboards encouraging competition, but main gameplay is singleplayer focused."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players report strong engagement and desire to replay with NG+ and speedrun modes, though base campaign is short."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Singleplayer only with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Skill respec system and weapon variety allow creative tactical approaches and experimentation."

    • Domination
      -3

      "No evidence of dominating others; interactions are mostly solo and story-driven without social power dynamics."

    • Escapism
      5

      "Strong cyberpunk atmosphere, intense action, and immersive soundtrack provide escapist experience."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for challenge and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Encouraged to try different skill builds and tactics to overcome varied enemies and bosses."

    • Exploration
      1

      "Limited exploration in a small hub area; main gameplay is linear with some side quests."

    • Expression
      2

      "Some character outfit customization and skill builds allow personal expression."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Cyberpunk setting with futuristic weapons and abilities offers imaginative fiction experience."

    • Fellowship
      -5

      "No social or community features; strictly singleplayer experience."

    • Growth
      4

      "Skill progression and learning enemy patterns promote personal development and mastery."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires constant focus and fast reactions; not suitable for idle or casual play."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No close social relationships or emotional sharing; protagonist is mute and interactions are minimal."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles; solo gameplay only."

    • Progression
      4

      "Leveling up, skill points, and weapon upgrades provide clear progression system."

    • Relaxation
      -3

      "Fast-paced, intense combat creates tension rather than relaxation or flow."

    • Sensation
      4

      "Strong sensory stimulation from vivid visuals, flashing effects, and dynamic soundtrack."

    • Status
      1

      "Some recognition via leaderboards and achievements, but mostly individual focus."

    • Story
      1

      "Simple, linear narrative with some twists; story is secondary to gameplay but present."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Requires tactical planning of skill builds and combat approach to defeat bosses and enemies."

    • Thrill
      4

      "High tension and adrenaline from challenging combat and punishing difficulty spikes."

    • Value
      3

      "Good value for price especially with replayability modes; some consider base campaign short."

    • Violence
      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around brutal combat, gore, and destruction."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players must avoid death and manage resources like ammo and energy to survive combat."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026