Malware
- July 31, 2024
- Odd Games
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Malware" is a single-player strategy game set in 1999, offering around 2 hours of playtime. As a time-traveler, you must eliminate rogue software and malicious installations that have infiltrated the pastoral internet era. By exposing unscrupulous software vendors and making clean installation methods public, you gain fame and money, cracking malware installations for orders pouring in.
Reviews
- The game offers entertaining and challenging puzzles that evoke nostalgia for early internet experiences.
- It's a unique concept that cleverly illustrates the tricks used in software installations, making it both fun and educational.
- Despite its simplicity, the game proves that engaging gameplay doesn't require high-end graphics.
- The game suffers from poor English translation and a confusing narrative that can detract from the overall experience.
- Many puzzles can feel repetitive and overly reliant on trial and error, leading to frustration.
- Some players found the game unplayable without external guides, making it less accessible for casual gamers.
- story9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story has been widely criticized for its lack of coherence and depth, often described as juvenile and poorly translated. Players find it to be a mix of low-effort fun and repetitive gameplay, with a narrative that feels more like a middle school project than an engaging experience. Overall, the story fails to captivate, leaving many feeling bored and unfulfilled.
“The story feels like it was written by a middle schooler, but it's dumb fun, and there are some mini-games scattered within it that are low effort but cute.”
“Full disclosure, I only beat the first few rounds of installations before it got generally repetitive, but as soon as you start the game up, the story is thrust upon you.”
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to channel your inner Sherlock Holmes and scrutinize each installer screen.”
“The English translation is a little broken; the story feels like it was written by a middle schooler, but it's dumb fun, and there are some mini-games (low effort but cute) scattered within it.”
“I expected some fun nostalgia, but the game itself is actually very boring, and the story doesn't really make any sense.”
“The story sounds like something a high school teenager would have come up with as a computer science project.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from its absurd premise of intentionally using malware, along with its quirky broken English and janky user interface, which many players find amusing. Overall, it offers a lighthearted and entertaining experience, encouraging players to embrace its comedic elements.
“Also, it's inherently funny to be buying and running an application called malware on purpose.”
“Just a chill and funny game.”
“I briefly considered refunding this before my 2-hour window was up, but changed my mind after deciding the broken English and general jankiness of the UI was hilarious.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates that engaging gameplay can outweigh the need for high-end graphics, suggesting that visual fidelity is not essential for an enjoyable experience.
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its engaging mechanics and fluid controls, providing a satisfying experience that keeps players invested. However, some users note occasional pacing issues and a lack of variety in certain sections, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the gameplay strikes a balance between challenge and accessibility, appealing to a wide range of players.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report that the final level, "lunatic," significantly increases the maze size, leading to noticeable freezing issues during maze generation, which impacts overall stability.
“The final level, Lunatic, builds upon the hard one, but insanely increases the maze size to the extent that the game freezes for a while just to generate the maze.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing progress.”
“I experienced multiple instances of lag and stuttering, especially during intense gameplay moments.”
