I don't think we ever covered Omen here on VG247. In fact, I don't think I've seen much coverage for it elsewhere, either. Maniac isn't the kind of game that generates headlines, even if its whole gimmick is one that I can't believe no one thought of sooner.
If you haven't already started Googling, Maniac is what happens when you create a file Vampires who survived– each other and dress it up Game GTA 2 new uniform So, if you've ever wondered what one of those GTA coded games would look like and how to play, Maniac has the answer.
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Maniac is one of the few Vampire Survivors favorites released in 2024, and certainly among many that came out this year. And no, I refuse to call that genre 'bullet heaven'. If anything, we should use the much better (and more descriptive) genre label: ASS, auto-shooting-survival. So, Maniac is a good-ASS game.
What makes Maniac particularly good at taking away the game is his commitment to bringing together the two games that have inspired him the most. The Vampire Survivor effect finds a new home here, first when you start relying entirely on melee, and later when you upgrade to a flamethrower (or rocket launcher).
GTA 2 Blood is responsible for some of the most devastating action of any of these, and a big part of that is the physics engine underneath it. Even early on, when the hustle and bustle is kept to a minimum, it's just a joy to watch your character interact with the world, and the inhabitants of that world itself . It captures the best parts of the One Wanted Star feel that we all remember from the classic GTA games, before things get too hectic. And just like those games, Maniac doesn't hold back when you keep pushing its limits, it welcomes it, in fact.
The more your power grows – with character upgrades, builds and really powerful weapons – the more the screen will be painted with blood and car wrecks. I especially love how the game manages to actuate/drive cars into the flow, which would otherwise break the careful balance of speed and power ASS games such a hard task to accomplish.
Driving physics have been tuned to achieve that feeling, with handling that forgives (and rewards you) for pulling off skids in the second, and drifting into obstacles to catch up on powerup. It's really impressive how well Maniac's systems come together, especially since a product that could be sold on that basis alone would be fine.
Maniac runs well on Steam Decktoo. You don't need a handheld to play it, of course, but I'm willing to bet that it will quickly become your favorite ASS game when you do. If not, just upload a video of someone at the highest level who wants to and just watch the chaos unfold. Get hold of it Steamor a wish list for when the (already cheap) price drops.
