Malus Code

About

Malus Code is a single player action game. It was developed by M2 Co.,LTD and was released on May 6, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Malus Code is the story of a graduate student studying abroad at a Japanese university, and the three people he meets in the laboratory there. In this unfamiliar environment, can you earn their friendship? For those who don't want a lonely, sad life.

Genres & Tags

Adventure

Play Modes

Single-Player

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68%

Audience ScoreBased on 133 reviews

story20 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

The game features beautiful artwork and animations, enhancing the visual experience.
The characters are engaging and have interesting dynamics, providing some heartwarming moments.
The game offers a unique blend of slice-of-life humor and mystery, making it an intriguing read despite its flaws.

The storyline is convoluted with numerous plot holes and unresolved questions, leaving players confused.
There are no meaningful choices or branching paths, making the gameplay feel linear and unsatisfying.
The game is quite short, and many players feel it doesn't justify its price, recommending it only on sale.

story
134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
76%
9%
The story of "Malus Code" is described as kinetic and structured in three acts, but it suffers from significant issues such as unclear plotlines, numerous unresolved plot holes, and a disjointed narrative that leaves players confused. While some elements show potential, many reviewers found the overall execution lacking, with excessive filler dialogue and a lack of coherent progression, ultimately leading to a disappointing experience. Despite some interesting character developments and artistic elements, the story fails to deliver a satisfying or comprehensible conclusion.
- “The story is kinetic, but interesting, and told in 3 acts.”
- “I'm severely sad right now because I really enjoyed this visual novel since it had a plot twist and kept it interesting and different from the generic visual novel.”
- “The story is amazing and the music.”
- “It seems that none of the plot lines were finished or plot holes filled, and the story left many things unexplained.”
- “After the first episode, the story just becomes extremely disjointed, with so much happening and nothing explained.”
- “I was really ready to give this game a 'mixed' score after I completed the second route, but after completing the whole story, I seriously cannot recommend this game whatsoever.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their high quality, gorgeous art style, and pleasing animations, particularly noting the effective use of the emote engine. However, while the visual presentation is strong, it is contrasted by a disjointed story filled with plot holes and abrupt endings. Overall, the visuals stand out as a highlight despite the narrative shortcomings.
- “The art style is gorgeous, I really have no complaints.”
- “First, on the plus side, the graphics are top notch.”
- “Thankfully, the art style and animations are pleasing to look at.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this visual novel is characterized by a blend of slice-of-life comedy, cuteness, and unexpected twists that enhance its comedic effect. While some characters, like Yuri and Suzukake, add to the lightheartedness, the humor is often juxtaposed with elements of horror, creating a unique but sometimes disjointed experience. Overall, players find the humor enjoyable, though it may not contribute significantly to the game's overall narrative engagement.
- “Another good visual novel from m2 combining a bit of slice-of-life humor, cuteness, and a big dose of mystery.”
- “Yuri is cute, Suzukake is naughty-librarian hot, and Yae makes me feel funny and then I feel funny for feeling funny.”
- “If you are looking for romance, there is not much in this visual novel, but there is some nice horror and humor.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The music in the game is generally described as nice, though some users find it repetitive, leading to mixed feelings about its overall impact. While the soundtrack is appreciated for its quality, it does not stand out significantly, with ratings around 5/10 reflecting a sense of mediocrity. Overall, the music complements the game's exceptional art and engaging story but lacks variety.
- “The art is exceptional, the music is good, and the characters are interesting.”
- “The story is amazing and the music enhances the experience.”
- “The music is nice and adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “The music is quite repetitive.”
- “The soundtrack is a 5 out of 10.”
- “The music lacks variety and becomes monotonous.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by heartwarming interactions between characters, though some players feel it lacks depth and resolution, comparing it unfavorably to titles like Higurashi. Overall, while it can evoke warmth, it may not satisfy those seeking a more profound emotional experience.
- “The way they interact can be heartwarming at times.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The gameplay is a kinetic visual novel with no player choices, yet it offers depth through multiple routes and endings, encouraging players to explore and uncover more than what is immediately apparent.
- “While the gameplay is entirely kinetic visual novel (no choices), there is a lot more to the game than what you see at first glance, with multiple routes and endings.”
- “If you are looking for a visual novel that gives you more questions than answers in the gameplay, go for this.”
- “While the gameplay is entirely a kinetic visual novel (no choices), there is a lot more to the game than what you see at first glance, with multiple routes and endings.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has significant stability issues, with frequent crashes reported during key moments such as saving progress or reading content. Users express frustration over the bugs and hope for future fixes from the developers.
- “The source of the breakout... I can't say much, you'll have to play and find out. However, I want to give a huge warning to all who play this: be very careful. It crashes a lot, especially at the end of episode 1, when saving pictures or just simply reading. It's quite buggy, and I hope the developers can fix that.”
- “The game has serious stability issues. I experienced multiple crashes, particularly when trying to save my progress or during key moments in the story. It's frustrating and really detracts from the overall experience.”
- “I encountered frequent crashes while playing, which made it hard to enjoy the game. The stability is a major concern, and I hope the developers prioritize fixing these issues in future updates.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The atmosphere of the game is described as heavy and thought-provoking, with each route offering a unique perspective that can be confusing yet engaging. This complexity enhances the overall experience, making it both exciting and enjoyable, even for those who may not typically handle horror well.
- “Each route shows a different point of view and can be quite confusing if you don't think deeply enough. It creates a heavy atmosphere at times, which entices me to read even more. After going through the first two routes, it made me think quite a bit, making it an exciting and enjoyable read.”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world and making you feel every emotion the characters experience. It's a haunting yet beautiful environment that lingers long after you've finished playing.”
- “The game masterfully builds tension through its atmospheric design, with soundscapes and visuals that enhance the feeling of unease. Every moment feels charged with potential, keeping you on the edge of your seat.”
- “Each route shows a different point of view and can be quite confusing if you don't think deeply enough. It creates a heavy atmosphere at times, which entices me to read it even more. After going through the first two routes, it made me think quite a bit, which made it an exciting and fun read.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players fully in the game world.”
- “Despite the intriguing premise, the atmosphere fails to deliver any real tension or engagement, leaving the experience feeling hollow.”