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Mainlining similar games & best alternatives

Mainlining

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch • 2017

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Quick resume

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.

Global score

77/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Simulator

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging investigative gameplay
    • Strong narrative and characters
    • Unique pixel art style
    • Immersive hacking simulation
    • Challenging but accessible puzzles

    Cons

    • Short game length
    • Limited replay value
    • Some ui and bug issues
    • Linear progression
    • Lack of deep social interaction

    Motivations

    • 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 OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0

      "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 Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

      "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

      "Game simulates hacking with some fictional elements and simplified gameplay, blending realism with fantasy."

      Capsule for HackHub: Free Trial HackHub: Free Trial

      "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 Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition

      "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."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Thrill. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Continuation.

    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