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MADNESS: Project Nexus similar games & best alternatives

MADNESS: Project Nexus

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2021

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Quick resume

MADNESS: Project Nexus is a third-person Run n' Gun / Beat'Em Up filled with arcade-style action and button-mashing brutality. Gun your way through droves of bad guys in the Story Campaign, or build your perfect killing machine in the neverending onslaught of Arena Mode.

Global score

97/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Shooter

Similar games

    Pros

    • Faithful to madness combat series and nostalgia
    • Fast-paced and skillful combat
    • Extensive character and weapon customization
    • Multiple game modes including arena and sandbox
    • Local co-op support and modding community

    Cons

    • Some bugs and ai issues reported
    • Steep learning curve and grind in arena mode
    • Lack of online multiplayer
    • Weapon pickup and control complexity
    • Story can be confusing for newcomers

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players can customize characters extensively and freely choose weapons and combat styles, allowing personal control over gameplay."

      Capsule for Onigiri Onigiri

      "Players can create and customize their own character in Arena mode, choose combat styles freely, and have sandbox mode for experimentation, indicating high player control and freedom."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "The game features a high skill ceiling with challenging combat mechanics, requiring mastery of blocking, dodging, and teamwork, especially on higher difficulties."

      Capsule for Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Warhammer: Vermintide 2

      "The game features challenging combat requiring skillful aiming, dodging, and weapon management, with a high skill ceiling especially in harder difficulties and arena mode progression."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      1

      "Includes arena mode and leaderboards but main gameplay focuses on cooperative or solo progression rather than competitive ranking."

      Capsule for Darksiders Genesis Darksiders Genesis

      "Arena mode includes leaderboards and ranks, but mostly the game focuses on personal progression and local co-op rather than direct competition."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Players report addictive gameplay with long sessions and replayability through challenges, arena, and endless modes."

      Capsule for The Metronomicon: Slay The Dance Floor The Metronomicon: Slay The Dance Floor

      "Players report hundreds of hours played, with addictive arena mode and replayability, encouraging long-term engagement."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      2

      "Supports local co-op for up to 4 players with teamwork elements, but also strong solo play focus."

      Capsule for Spelunky Spelunky

      "Supports local co-op up to 4 players in story mode and AI teammates in campaign, but arena mode is solo; cooperation is present but limited."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Sandbox mode and unit customization/modding allow creative battle setups and experimentation with diverse units and scenarios."

      Capsule for Total Tank Simulator Total Tank Simulator

      "Strong customization options for characters, weapons, and loadouts in arena mode; sandbox mode allows free experimentation."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -2

      "No strong evidence of domination or power assertion over others; interactions are mostly individual or cooperative."

      Capsule for The Slimeking's Tower The Slimeking's Tower

      "No strong evidence of domination or power over others; interactions are cooperative or solo focused with mutual respect."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as a form of escapism, stress relief, and immersion into a fantasy world."

      Capsule for Diablo II: Resurrected – Infernal Edition Diablo II: Resurrected – Infernal Edition

      "Players use the game for nostalgia, stress relief, and immersion in a violent fantasy world, indicating strong escapism."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of passion and nostalgia, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

      Capsule for Aero GPX Aero GPX

      "Players engage voluntarily out of passion and nostalgia, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Players experiment with weapons, combat styles, and modifiers; sandbox mode encourages trying new things."

      Capsule for Paint the Town Red Paint the Town Red

      "Sandbox mode and weapon modding encourage trying new things; arena mode offers diverse combat styles and builds."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      2

      "Story mode involves exploring new chapters and environments, though some maps are reused and exploration is limited by bugs and unclear objectives."

      Capsule for CASE 2: Animatronics Survival CASE 2: Animatronics Survival

      "Story mode and arena mode have multiple maps and secrets; some exploration of lore and environment is present."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      4

      "Character customization and weapon combinations allow for personal expression."

      Capsule for DEEEER Simulator: Your Average Everyday Deer Game DEEEER Simulator: Your Average Everyday Deer Game

      "Extensive character customization and weapon modifications allow personal expression."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "The game features a rich fictional universe with supernatural characters, brutal fatalities, and cinematic storytelling."

      Capsule for Mortal Kombat X Mortal Kombat X

      "The game is based on a violent, exaggerated fictional universe with supernatural elements and stylized characters."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      2

      "Community engagement through modding and co-op play exists but social connection is secondary to gameplay."

      Capsule for Door Kickers 2: Task Force North Door Kickers 2: Task Force North

      "Community engagement through co-op and modding; some social connection but mostly individual play."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Skill tree progression and learning combat mechanics provide personal development."

      Capsule for BLACKTAIL BLACKTAIL

      "Skill trees, character progression, and learning combat mechanics provide strong opportunities for personal development."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some reports of long sessions and intense focus."

      Capsule for Element TD 2 - Tower Defense Element TD 2 - Tower Defense

      "Primarily a sedentary game with no physical activity; some reports of long sessions and intense focus."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires continuous attention and focus during combat; not suited for background or idle play."

      Capsule for Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter

      "Requires constant attention and focus during combat; not suited for idle or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -3

      "Limited social interaction beyond local co-op; no evidence of forming close emotional relationships."

      Capsule for The Cave The Cave

      "Social interactions are limited to local co-op and casual community; no evidence of close emotional relationships."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      1

      "Players can hire and manage employees but with limited leadership depth; mostly supportive roles."

      Capsule for TCG Card Shop Simulator TCG Card Shop Simulator

      "Players can manage hirelings in arena mode, but leadership is limited and mostly tactical rather than authoritative."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      5

      "Strong emphasis on accumulating weapons, skills, and upgrades through missions and loot."

      Capsule for Silent Storm Gold Edition Silent Storm Gold Edition

      "Strong emphasis on accumulating weapons, upgrades, skills, and character levels especially in arena mode."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Some players find flow and catharsis in combat; others note tension from difficulty."

      Capsule for Ancient Dungeon Ancient Dungeon

      "Some players find flow and catharsis in combat, but higher difficulties induce tension and challenge."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      4

      "Visual gore, flashy combos, and energetic soundtrack provide strong sensory stimulation and excitement."

      Capsule for Onee Chanbara ORIGIN Onee Chanbara ORIGIN

      "Enjoyable visual effects, gore, and soundtrack provide strong sensory stimulation and excitement."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      1

      "Leaderboards and ranks exist but social recognition is not a dominant motivation."

      Capsule for PROJECT: PLAYTIME PROJECT: PLAYTIME

      "Leaderboards and ranks exist but social recognition is not a primary motivator."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "Narrative mode and lore provide immersive story elements, though gameplay is mostly separate from story."

      Capsule for GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-

      "Story mode offers narrative immersion with characters and lore; arena mode has some story elements as well."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Combat requires tactical thinking, positioning, and timing; players develop strategies to survive and win."

      Capsule for Gladio and Glory Gladio and Glory

      "Combat requires tactical thinking, skill management, and planning loadouts; arena mode involves strategic progression."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Fast-paced combat and challenging boss fights create suspense and excitement."

      Capsule for 東方憑依華　～ Antinomy of Common Flowers. 東方憑依華　～ Antinomy of Common Flowers.

      "Fast-paced combat with risk and suspense especially on higher difficulties and boss fights."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players feel the game offers good value for money with extensive content and replayability."

      Capsule for Wings of Vi Wings of Vi

      "Players feel the game offers good value for money with extensive content and replayability."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      5

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

      Capsule for Maniac Maniac

      "Core gameplay revolves around violent combat, gore, and destruction consistent with the Madness Combat series."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players must manage health, avoid death, and strategically overcome threats."

      Capsule for River City Ransom: Underground River City Ransom: Underground

      "Players must manage health, avoid death, and overcome threats especially on harder difficulties."

    Analysis

    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 Violence, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy.

    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.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026