Malicious

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Jul 24, 2012
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Multiplayer.it
    Mar 29, 2012
    70
    Malicious is a fresh, hardcore arena action game, packed with some very inspired graphics and sounds. There are only six stages, but they can be very hard to beat, both for the hundreds of enemies you'll find in there and the awful camera.
  2. Edge Magazine
    Mar 21, 2012
    70
    It's an attractive game, too, its painterly art style and creative enemy design sullied only by the occasional drop in performance and that persistently unhelpful camera. If wrestling with the right analogue stick is no one's idea of a good time, such frustrations are worth enduring for a daring and sometimes exhilarating boss rush.
  3. Eurogamer Italy
    Mar 13, 2012
    70
    Malicious is a well packed action game, and though it's not free from flaws, it's still enjoyable for those looking for a decent, cheap, downlodable game.
  5. SpazioGames
    Apr 7, 2012
    60
    Malicious is an interesting title that offers a different gameplay compared to the classic action game. Some technical problems limiting its potential.
  6. IGN
    Jul 27, 2012
    55
    Malicious just isn't a good game and it's not worth your time. And that's too bad, because Malicious certainly had a lot of promise. It just doesn't deliver.
  7. Vandal
    Mar 13, 2012
    55
    The game has an interesting artistic design and quite an original gameplay concept, but it has its limitations, lacks a tutorial and becomes simple and repetitive soon.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2012

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 37
  3. Negative: 15 out of 37
  1. darkwraith
    Apr 12, 2012
    8
    Malicious is one of those rare games that seem to appear with little fanfare or publicity. And in this case the game turns out too beMalicious is one of those rare games that seem to appear with little fanfare or publicity. And in this case the game turns out too be surprisingly good. It is an arena based boss battles game of which i cannot offhand think of another title like this although the boss fights are as challenging as those in dark souls and its predecessor demon souls. The graphics and artwork stlye of Malicious are great and look very similar to the graphics of El shaddai ascension of the metraton so much that im almost sure that some of the art team must have worked on both games. As far as ive played there are five areas with five bosses and a central hub from were you can choose your own route,path thru the areas if you follow the path that is revealed by reading the back story you will have a slightly easier time but not much. You will still face a challenge whichever route you chose. The bosses and enemies are well designed and look good the game runs fast and smooth even with a few hundred small enemies and a mammoth boss onscreen. The only downside is that the controls take a while to get used to as the auto-lock on camera is difficult to use at first but once you learn that you go with the flow of the camera and don't try to fight it by turning it another way. You will be running and flying around in no time locking onto multiple enemies with homing aura blasts, punching enemies to smithereens with a massive pair of magical fists and spearing enemies with a magical lance. All the while building up the amount of aura you have ready to release it and boost your powers while you attack the boss. Rinse and repeat this process a few times after finding the bosses weak points to complete the arenas. there are rankings for how many enemies you killed time to complete the arena and so on there are on-line leader-boards that unlock after you complete the game once. A further challenge is that on normal you only get 3 continues to complete the full game. The game auto-saves each time you complete an arena so you can turn off and continue the same game later. Overall worth every penny of the entry price as Malicious could have been made into a full retail release for A store game it is very high quality. Recommended if you like something a little different in youre games.… Full Review »
  2. starphaser
    Apr 25, 2013
    4
    Malicious is a game that, to put it simply, fails to deliver a fun, entertaining experience. Noticeable flaws permeate the entire game, suchMalicious is a game that, to put it simply, fails to deliver a fun, entertaining experience. Noticeable flaws permeate the entire game, such as a really, really bad and wonky camera, repetitive gameplay, dated graphics and subpar sound effects. It seems the designers were going for a really interesting and original concept by bringing back some characteristics from old school platformers such as Megaman, but the game falls short and it's really disappointing. The creators of the game also do a terrible job telling you the (really weak) story of the game and explaining you how the gameplay works. I wouldn't recommend this to anybody.… Full Review »
  3. Brody_Low
    Oct 28, 2013
    2
    This game is just all kinds of bad. Simply because it isn't even remotely fun. The graphics are really cool. but the combat is basically aThis game is just all kinds of bad. Simply because it isn't even remotely fun. The graphics are really cool. but the combat is basically a bunch of nothingness.… Full Review »
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