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Max: The Curse of Brotherhood similar games & best alternatives

Max: The Curse of Brotherhood

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch • 2014

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Quick resume

Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is a cinematic adventure filled with action-packed platforming and creative puzzle-solving. Armed with only a Magic Marker, Max must confront evil at every turn in a hostile and fantastical world in order to save his kid brother, Felix. Join Max on his great adventure!

Global score

95/100

Genres

Adventure, Platform, Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • Creative and unique marker drawing mechanic
    • Engaging puzzles and platforming
    • Beautiful, colorful graphics and animation
    • Family friendly and accessible difficulty
    • Good pacing and level design

    Cons

    • Short game length
    • Some control imprecision especially with drawing
    • Limited replay value beyond collectibles
    • Occasional frustrating timed sequences
    • Lack of multiplayer or social features

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      3

      "Players have freedom to explore puzzles and communicate solutions creatively, though puzzle structure guides actions."

      Capsule for In Sink: A Co-op Escape Adventure In Sink: A Co-op Escape Adventure

      "Players have freedom to draw various elements to solve puzzles and navigate, though drawing is limited to specific points."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "The game offers a moderate challenge with platforming and puzzle elements that require skillful timing and problem solving, though not overly difficult."

      Capsule for Adventures of Pip Adventures of Pip

      "The game offers a moderate challenge with puzzles and platforming requiring skill and timing, especially in later levels."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of competitive or ranked modes; focus on individual puzzle-platforming."

      Capsule for Color Symphony Color Symphony

      "No evidence of competitive or ranked modes; focus is on individual puzzle solving and platforming."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      2

      "Players tend to engage for several hours and some replay for collectibles, but limited replayability overall."

      Capsule for First Class Escape: The Train of Thought First Class Escape: The Train of Thought

      "Players tend to engage for a few hours with some replayability via collectibles and achievements."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "Single player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

      Capsule for BAD END BAD END

      "Single player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Core mechanic involves creative manipulation of debris to solve puzzles and build platforms; level editor supports player creativity."

      Capsule for GIGA WRECKER GIGA WRECKER

      "Core mechanic involves creative use of a magic marker to draw and manipulate environment elements."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No player versus player or dominance interactions; cooperative or equal participation only."

      Capsule for Kraven Manor Kraven Manor

      "No player-versus-player or dominance interactions; cooperative and equal participation is the norm."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Fantasy setting and immersive puzzles provide a strong escape from real life."

      Capsule for Lost Lands: The Golden Curse Collector's Edition Lost Lands: The Golden Curse Collector's Edition

      "The fantasy setting and engaging puzzles provide a pleasant escape from real life."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and personal interest without obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for Trombone Champ Trombone Champ

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and personal interest without obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players experiment with drawing different shapes and objects to solve puzzles in multiple ways."

      Capsule for Draw a Stickman: EPIC Draw a Stickman: EPIC

      "Players experiment with drawing different shapes and combinations to solve puzzles."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      2

      "Some exploration in levels to find collectibles and secrets, though mostly linear progression."

      Capsule for Splasher Splasher

      "Some exploration encouraged to find collectibles and secrets, though levels are mostly linear."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Players express themselves by creatively shaping the environment and choosing paths."

      Capsule for Tiny and Big: Grandpa's Leftovers Tiny and Big: Grandpa's Leftovers

      "Players express creativity through drawing and shaping environmental elements."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Strong fantasy theme with magic, spells, and an imaginative story world."

      Capsule for Magic Research 2 Magic Research 2

      "Strong fantasy theme with magical powers, otherworldly settings, and imaginative story."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -5

      "No social or community features; strictly single player."

      Capsule for The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales

      "No social or community features; strictly single player."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop skills and learn to use new abilities and mechanics throughout the game."

      Capsule for Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack

      "Players learn new marker abilities and improve skills as game progresses."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

      Capsule for ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention and puzzle solving; not designed for casual or idle play."

      Capsule for Candle Candle

      "Requires focused attention and active puzzle solving; not a casual or idle experience."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

      Capsule for Insecticide Part 1 Insecticide Part 1

      "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles; single player experience."

      Capsule for Yoku's Island Express Yoku's Island Express

      "No leadership or group management roles; single player experience."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

      "Progression through unlocking powers, collecting items, and completing puzzles."

      Capsule for Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of The Baskervilles Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of The Baskervilles

      "Progression through unlocking new marker powers and collecting items."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Generally relaxing with some moments of tension due to time limits and challenge spikes."

      Capsule for Battle for Blood - Epic battles within 30 seconds! Battle for Blood - Epic battles within 30 seconds!

      "Generally relaxing with some moments of tension during timed platforming sections."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Colorful visuals and sound effects provide enjoyable sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for HOARD HOARD

      "Colorful visuals and sound design provide enjoyable sensory stimulation."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems present."

      Capsule for Crying Suns Crying Suns

      "No social recognition or status systems present."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "Narrative is a classic fantasy rescue quest with some unique twists; story engages players despite being short."

      Capsule for Memories of a Vagabond Memories of a Vagabond

      "Simple but engaging narrative about brotherly rescue in a fantasy world."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Puzzles require logical thinking and planning to solve."

      Capsule for Creepy Tale Creepy Tale

      "Puzzles require logical thinking and planning to solve."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      2

      "Some suspenseful chase scenes and timed puzzles create moments of thrill."

      Capsule for Monochroma Monochroma

      "Some suspenseful chase sequences and timed challenges add excitement."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players find good value in the game's unique experience and replayability, especially at sale prices."

      Capsule for DEFCON DEFCON

      "Players find good value especially at sale prices for the engaging gameplay and replayability."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -3

      "Minimal violence; focus is on puzzle solving and exploration rather than combat."

      Capsule for Endless Fables: The Minotaur's Curse Endless Fables: The Minotaur's Curse

      "Minimal violence; focus is on puzzle solving and platforming rather than combat."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      2

      "Some avoidance of threats and timed challenges, but low-risk overall."

      Capsule for American Arcadia American Arcadia

      "Some avoidance of hazards and timing challenges, but overall low threat environment."

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership, Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Competition, 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

    Last update: 30/04/2026