Maniac

About

Maniac is a single player role playing shooter game. It was developed by Transhuman Design and was released on March 28, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Maniac" is a single-player Role Playing game that promises a hilarious and chaotic experience, reminiscent of classic GTA games. With six unlockable characters, including a murderous Clown and an inebriated Santa Claus, and a vast open world with destructible environments, the game offers stellar replayability. The unlockable weapons, gear, and vehicular upgrades, along with the built-in map editor, ensure endless mayhem and fun.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,570 reviews

gameplay36 positive mentions

story14 negative mentions

Maniac offers a chaotic and entertaining experience reminiscent of classic GTA games, allowing players to indulge in mindless destruction without the burden of missions or complex mechanics.
The game features a variety of unlockable characters and upgrades, providing a sense of progression and replayability that keeps players engaged.
At its low price point, Maniac delivers a fun and addictive gameplay loop, making it a great value for those looking for a quick and enjoyable gaming session.

The gameplay can become repetitive after a few hours, with some players feeling that the lack of depth and variety in upgrades limits long-term engagement.
Technical issues, such as bugs and clunky controls, detract from the overall experience, making it feel less polished than some players would hope for.
Some players find the game's dark humor and themes, particularly involving violence against children, to be off-putting and morally questionable.

gameplay
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The gameplay is a chaotic blend of old-school GTA mechanics and rogue-lite elements, offering a fun and engaging experience with a focus on destruction and mayhem. Players appreciate the variety of characters and the ability to customize controls, though some find the core gameplay loop can become repetitive. Overall, the game is praised for its intuitive mechanics, vibrant visuals, and high replay value, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of arcade-style action.
- “Great gameplay, great visuals, contains a level editor and workshop.”
- “In the ever-evolving landscape of action arcade games, Maniac stands out as a thrilling top-down adventure that combines high-speed chases, strategic gameplay, and a dash of chaos that keeps you glued to the screen.”
- “This game is awesome, it's essentially an old school top-down GTA roguelike, different characters/weapons/abilities provide each character with unique gameplay that also gives high replay value.”
- “My second biggest problem is that the game is technically a bit of a mess which makes for frustrating gameplay.”
- “Very short, uncomplicated gameplay loop.”
- “While the concept is fun, the core gameplay loop got boring pretty quickly.”
story
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
77%
18%
The game is characterized by a complete absence of a traditional story or mission structure, focusing instead on chaotic gameplay and mindless destruction reminiscent of the original Grand Theft Auto titles. Players can indulge in mayhem without narrative constraints, although some express a desire for simple missions or character backstories to enhance the experience. Overall, it appeals to those seeking pure, unrestrained fun rather than depth or innovation in storytelling.
- “Each mission, lasting around 20 minutes, is a meticulously crafted episode of chaos and fun that never feels repetitive or tedious.”
- “Each character brings a unique flavor to the table, enriching the gameplay experience and offering varied approaches to missions.”
- “It’s not just a game; it’s a high-speed joyride through a world where chaos reigns supreme, and every mission is an invitation to indulge in your wildest gaming fantasies.”
- “If you are looking for depth, innovation, or some form of story then stop right now, don't buy this.”
- “No story, all mayhem.”
- “The objective of the game is to murder as many innocent people as possible; there are no missions or objectives other than this.”
humor
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is packed with dark humor and absurdity, reminiscent of classic titles like GTA, making it a hilarious experience. Players enjoy the colorful characters and outrageous achievements, while the chaotic gameplay and ridiculous physics add to the comedic charm. Overall, it's a fun, lighthearted romp that embraces its outrageousness and delivers plenty of laughs.
- “This game is good fun, love the dark humor.”
- “Not only is maniac absolutely hilarious, it is a joy to play.”
- “Gotta love the babies crying over Santa slaying and the clown laughing!”
graphics
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
37%
8%
The graphics of the game are generally described as simple yet crisp, with a nostalgic art style reminiscent of classic titles like GTA and Newgrounds games. While some players appreciate the bright visuals and detailed aesthetics, others feel the graphics can become repetitive over time. Overall, the visuals are considered good, complementing the gameplay and adding to the game's fun, despite some concerns about graphic violence.
- “The graphics are nice, and more detailed than first impressions.”
- “Great gameplay, great visuals, contains a level editor and workshop.”
- “The bright graphics and the upbeat tunes perfectly balance out the game's bonkers gameplay.”
- “It's incredibly simple in that regard - run, shoot, with fairly basic (but crisp and clear) graphics and not a huge deal of content.”
- “Very nostalgic of old Newgrounds games in both the art style and tone.”
- “Graphic violence in games can only be overlooked so much.”
replayability
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
29%
8%
Overall, the game offers a high level of replayability, with many players finding it addictive and enjoyable due to its diverse characters, upgrade systems, and quick gameplay sessions. While some reviews note that it can become repetitive over time, the low price point and potential for future content additions keep players returning for more. However, a few users feel it lacks the depth of other roguelikes, suggesting that improvements could enhance its replay value further.
- “It's an excellent time and infinitely replayable.”
- “The upgrade system and unlocks gives fantastic replay value.”
- “Overall it's brilliant and you get a ton of replayability for the price.”
- “The game overall feels gimmicky and lacks replay value compared to other roguelikes.”
- “Yeah, it gets repetitive after a little while, but hey, five bucks... I don't expect a game with 30 hours of replayability for this price.”
- “Maniac is a very fun, very rewarding burst of dopamine with seemingly very little replay value unless there are some serious plans for content addition on the horizon.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
33%
11%
The game's music has received praise for its hard-hitting and fitting soundtrack, reminiscent of classic metal bands, which enhances the overall experience. However, some users noted that while the music is great, it could benefit from a longer tracklist and more diversity. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to its atmosphere.
- “The menu music goes so hard.”
- “The soundtrack is a great fit, although it would be nice if it was a bit longer or had a few more tracks.”
- “The art style and music are also great in my opinion.”
- “The soundtrack is ok but it could use a bit more diversity too.”
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, particularly with achievements requiring 100,000 kills and vehicle destructions. While some appreciate the chaotic fun of missions, many feel that the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience, suggesting the addition of side missions could alleviate some of the monotony. Despite these criticisms, some players still enjoy the game, especially considering its low price point.
- “If you want to 100% this game, you have a hell of a grind with the 100,000 kills and especially the destroy 100,000 vehicles achievements. Even with the right strategy, this will take you countless hours of grinding and gets so tedious.”
- “Too grindy and repetitive even for a roguelike.”
- “It lacks a lot; every character plays the same - no matter what their main stat is - you're just farming to get a rocket launcher and cause mayhem.”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous glitches and occasional crashes that detract from the overall experience. Many users feel it resembles an early access title due to its unfinished state and unbalanced gameplay. While it performs well on the Steam Deck, the general consensus is that it cannot be recommended in its current condition.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck, perfect game for it.”
- “However, despite not being in early access, this game feels like it should be in early access, because there's just not a lot of it and what there is, is kind of buggy and unbalanced.”
- “I encountered a few crashes and stumbled upon glitches that, while not game-breaking, remind you of the title’s imperfections.”
- “It's fun, but doesn't feel finished; it's buggy, and the controls are wonky. For the price, it's not terrible, but I can't recommend it in its current state.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised for its smooth performance and minimal bugs, allowing for satisfying gameplay. However, some users report occasional performance dips, particularly after completing a run.
- “It handles wonderfully, the performance is smooth and rarely hiccups, and the amount of soul-crushing destruction you can cause is quite satisfying.”
- “Runs smoothly, no noticeable bugs.”
- “Performance dips from time to time, especially once you finish a run.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Users express a desire for more progressive character development and a comprehensive upgrading menu, indicating that these features would enhance their engagement and motivation to continue playing.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly rewarding, allowing players to truly shape their characters' journeys.”
- “I love how the character development feels organic and meaningful, making each choice impactful.”
- “I would prefer a more progressive character development system and a general upgrading menu to keep me engaged.”
- “The character development feels stagnant and lacks meaningful progression, making it hard to stay invested in the game.”
- “There is a noticeable lack of depth in character development, which detracts from the overall experience.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a striking contrast, where intense violence is juxtaposed with heartwarming moments, creating a unique and impactful experience for players.
- “So violent, it's heartwarming.”