Hacknet

Release Date: August 13, 2015

Simulation, puzzle elements, 2D, indie games, Game Pass, EA Play, singleplayer

94%

Steam

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A hacking simulation game, in which you delve into lines of code to discover the truth behind the death of Bit, one of the world's best computer protection experts. The gameplay features dialogue boxes and you use real UNIX commands. If you're less familiar with programming, you can use the integrated hint system, which will help you learn the basic rules of the digital world.

Plot
Mechanics
Technical aspects

Hacknet us an unusual hacking simulation game by indie studio Team Fractal Alligator.

Plot

In Hacknet, your task is to discover the truth behind the death of Bit – a hacker, who also developed the best security system ever. Two weeks after he logged in for the last time, the Hacknet-OS system he created started automatically sending out messages to one of its users. You play as this user, following instructions left by the expert, delving deeper into the lines of code.

Mechanics

Hacknet differs from other games featuring the hacking theme with its unique way of approaching the subject. The production doesn't feature spectacular, Hollywood-style breaches of increasingly more difficult encrypted files. The gameplay takes place entirely within dialogue boxes and you use real UNIX system commands. This is how you search for clues and discover corporate secrets. It certainly increases the immersion, especially that Hacknet pretends it's not a video game — there are no distinct levels or a sophisticated interface. If you're unfamiliar with coding, you can use the hint system, which will help you learn the basic rules of the digital world.

Technical aspects

Due to the game's specific nature, the visuals are minimalist. However, this cannot be said of the atmospheric soundtrack by Carpenter Brut (known for the music of Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number) and Remi Gallego, also known as The Algorithm.

Last updated on June 4, 2018

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