EXAPUNKS

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,440 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
EXAPUNKS Game Cover
Exapunks is a hacking game that will make you feel like a genius or an idiot—sometimes both in quick succession.
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EXAPUNKS is a single-player Science Fiction Simulation game with an intriguing story and delightful game mechanics. As a former hacker infected with a deadly phage, you must complete hacking tasks to receive antidotes. The game features fantastic visuals, sensational music, and various activities like writing viruses, hacking different systems, and even playing hacked games. However, be prepared for lots of grinding and slacking off in this very atmospheric game.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,440 reviews
story138 positive mentions
grinding19 negative mentions
  • Engaging and challenging programming puzzles that encourage creative solutions.
  • Unique 90s cyberpunk aesthetic with a compelling story and immersive world-building.
  • The inclusion of printable 'zines' as manuals adds a nostalgic and interactive element to the gameplay.
  • The game requires frequent reference to external PDFs for instructions, which can disrupt immersion.
  • Some puzzles can feel tedious and overly complex, leading to frustration.
  • Limited in-game guidance for new players may make it difficult for those without programming experience to progress.
  • story333 mentions

    The story in "Exapunks" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative and immersive cyberpunk atmosphere. While some find the plot to be somewhat linear and predictable, others highlight its clever integration with gameplay, character development, and the use of voice acting and chatroom interactions to enhance the experience. Overall, the story serves as a compelling backdrop that motivates players to tackle the challenging programming puzzles, although some reviewers express a desire for deeper exploration and more impactful storytelling elements.

    • “Many reviews here highlight the well-written immersive story, and that is indeed the case.”
    • “The story is intriguing.”
    • “The story and writing in this game are much better than they have any right to be.”
    • “The story is extremely linear, so once you finish it there's little replay value, which I think is a missed opportunity.”
    • “I think the story is really clunkily integrated and a lot of the mechanics are not explored as deeply as I would have liked.”
    • “Towards the end, the puzzles became hindrances to getting to the story.”
  • gameplay107 mentions

    The gameplay of "Exapunks" is characterized by its engaging and challenging coding puzzles that require players to program bots using a simplified assembly language. While the game offers a steep learning curve, it provides a well-structured introduction to its mechanics through stylized manuals, allowing for creative problem-solving and optimization. Overall, players appreciate the blend of intricate gameplay, immersive cyberpunk aesthetics, and a compelling narrative, although some find the integration of story elements to be clunky.

    • “Fantastic entry to the Zachtronics games, with gameplay that follows the core of the assembly programming theme while being its own abstract thing.”
    • “The gameplay is simple but fun, the difficulty challenging but not frustrating, and the story is sometimes predictable but entertaining.”
    • “The implementation of the code inside of moving robots keeps the formula fresh, since the gameplay becomes way more dynamic than that of similar games.”
    • “I think the story is really clunkily integrated and a lot of the mechanics are not explored as deeply as I would have liked.”
    • “Tedious gameplay dragged out with monotonous unskippable dialogs and cutscenes.”
    • “The gameplay is quite literally just coding.”
  • graphics101 mentions

    The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beautiful aesthetic, sharp visuals, and a nostalgic 90s cyberpunk vibe that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the game's polished presentation, excellent art style, and immersive sound design, which collectively create a unique and engaging atmosphere. While some note that the graphics may not impress those seeking cutting-edge 3D visuals, they are well-executed and contribute significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The game has a beautiful aesthetic, down to the details.”
    • “The visuals are sharp and have a cassette futurism feel that looks wonderful, and the music has that classic Zachtronics 'music to think to' vibe.”
    • “The graphics are super-clean, have a great aesthetic, and look amazing, especially at 4k!”
    • “The graphics are simple and probably won't impress anyone with a 3D accelerator video card, but they are done up to 4K so it doesn't look like pixel crap at least.”
    • “This is just low-level programming with better visuals.”
    • “It's like most of the development went into the aesthetics instead of the game complexity.”
  • music96 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed response from players, with many praising its quality and ability to enhance the gaming experience, particularly for puzzle-solving. However, several users noted a lack of variety in the soundtrack, leading some to mute the game or prefer their own music. Overall, while the soundtrack is often described as atmospheric and fitting for the game's aesthetic, there are calls for more tracks to maintain engagement throughout gameplay.

    • “The music, aesthetic, puzzles, zines, and dialog all come together perfectly to create a unique style that I can only describe as exa-punk, and I'm here for it.”
    • “The soundtrack is excellent, and the story is presented through a combination of voice-acted cutscenes, interactive dialogue, chatroom messages, and the printable hacker magazines included with the game.”
    • “The setting is a wonderfully realized cyberpunk retro-future; the music, character designs, and mechanical designs all create a wonderfully atmospheric and lovingly authentic 90s cyberpunk experience.”
    • “Music is not great, and there seems to be only one track.”
    • “Would recommend turning the music volume in-game to 0 and listening to something else.”
    • “The soundtrack consists of too few tracks, so I disabled it early in the game.”
  • optimization43 mentions

    The optimization aspect of the game is highly praised, with players enjoying the challenge of refining their solutions and competing on leaderboards. While the puzzles are generally accessible, they offer significant depth for those interested in optimization, allowing for creative and unique solutions. The game encourages replayability through its open-ended nature, making it a rewarding experience for both casual players and optimization enthusiasts.

    • “Amazing programmer's puzzle that mixes algorithmic fun and the act of optimization with an experience similar to hacking.”
    • “The real fun, as usual, is in optimization.”
    • “In typical Zachtronics style, you can see your performance vs. everyone else and try to squeeze a few more cycles out of your algorithm.”
    • “Great mechanics, not too hard to pass the levels but optimization can be very tricky.”
    • “The optimization has diminishing returns; you'll get the low-hanging fruit first, and eventually you may get to a point where your solution feels very tight and hard to improve further.”
    • “It seems like there's a lot of optimization you could do at first glance, but the puzzles are so simple you'll never make a bad solution that really needs optimizing.”
  • atmosphere42 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic cyberpunk aesthetic, effectively capturing a retro-futuristic vibe reminiscent of the '90s. Players appreciate the combination of well-crafted puzzles, atmospheric music, and engaging storytelling, which together create a compelling environment that enhances the overall experience. The inclusion of elements like printed magazines and IRC chats further enriches the game's ambiance, making it feel authentic and engaging.

    • “The setting is a wonderfully realized cyberpunk retro-future; the music, character designs, and mechanical designs all create a wonderfully atmospheric and lovingly authentic '90s cyberpunk experience.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game is phenomenal.”
    • “The atmosphere is a lot more developed than in other games of the studio and it's quite refreshing.”
    • “The atmosphere really puts you in the mood, making you feel like you are a retro hacker trying to do sneaky stuff.”
    • “While this is not a major feature it adds to the sense of immersion and atmosphere that this game has aplenty.”
  • grinding21 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to engage in trial and error without clear guidance. Many reviewers noted that the puzzles, while initially engaging, become monotonous due to unskippable dialogues, complex navigation between menus, and a lack of explicit problem statements. Although some players found moments of satisfaction in overcoming challenges, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with the excessive grind detracting from the enjoyment of the gameplay.

    • “The premise and the puzzles are right in that space where they're challenging, but not tedious.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Not sure how others with zero coding background figured it out, but even as a cryptic puzzle, it's obviously a tedious chore that involves trial and error.”
    • “Tedious 'gameplay' dragged out with monotonous unskippable dialogs and cutscenes.”
    • “I'm not sure - once you figure out the kinks of the exa [execution agent] programming language, the puzzles stop being challenging and start being tedious if you just want to find a solution and move on, as opposed to furiously optimize to reach the tenth percentile.”
  • replayability20 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through features like user-generated puzzles, leaderboards, and competitive multiplayer modes, appealing to those who enjoy optimizing solutions and challenging themselves. While the linear story may limit replay value for some, the open-ended nature of the puzzles and the ability to refine and improve solutions provide ample opportunities for continued engagement. Overall, players appreciate the depth and challenge that enhance replayability, making it a standout in the Zachtronics library.

    • “I love pretty much all of the Zachtronics games, but I don't think any of them have been quite as replayable as this one.”
    • “The puzzles can be quite challenging as you progress through the game, and the scoring system increases replayability, inviting you to keep trying until you've matched other people's shortest/fastest programs.”
    • “As usual with Zachtronics games, the puzzles themselves are generally pretty easy to solve if you break them down and take them piece by piece, but the open-ended nature and optimization puzzles mean that you can effectively make the puzzles as difficult as you want and also adds a ton of replay value.”
    • “Story is extremely linear, so once you finish it there's little replay value, which I think is a missed opportunity.”
    • “As of yet, I think that the removal of any restrictions concerning the number of lines of code actually harms the game in terms of replayability of any given level in comparison to TIS or Shenzhen.”
    • “While the story is somewhat cliché, the actual game is somewhat challenging, and the competitive aspect known from previous Zachtronics games creates a replay value.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of clever writing, amusing easter eggs, and situational comedy, often arising from the absurdity of programming fictional robots and the unexpected outcomes of code execution. Players appreciate the lighthearted jokes and references that enhance the experience, making it both engaging and entertaining, despite some moments of frustration. Overall, the humor is well-received, contributing to the game's charm and addictive nature.

    • “Being able to see the 'business' and impact some of its functions like lights, copy machines, ovens, and so on is pretty fun and adds a funny easter egg to many levels.”
    • “Addictive programming puzzles and some hilarious writing that somehow manages to tell a simple but compelling story.”
    • “Jokes or references to past events in the story or outside of it will keep you smiling and laughing.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting feelings of nostalgia, stress, and empowerment. The initial challenges evoke frustration, but as they progress, many find the experience rewarding and immersive, often feeling a sense of accomplishment and emotional weight from their in-game actions. Overall, the game effectively elicits a range of emotions, from excitement to guilt, enhancing the player's engagement.

    • “I had no experience at playing a guitar, but the game made me feel like I did.”
    • “The initial learning curve made me feel stupid, but before long it was engrossing and - most of all - rewarding.”
    • “The пасьянс made me feel quite nostalgic.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is primarily focused on ember-2, who receives significant depth throughout the game, while other characters, though interesting, do not have as much time to evolve. The richly crafted cyberpunk retro-future setting enhances the overall experience, contributing to the characters' appeal.

    • “Each character is interesting, though Ember-2 is really the only character that’s around long enough to have a lot of character development.”
    • “The setting is a wonderfully realized cyberpunk retro-future; the music, character designs, and mechanical designs all create a wonderfully atmospheric and lovingly authentic 90s cyberpunk experience.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is creatively integrated into the experience, with manuals designed as hacker magazines that feature game explanations, background articles, and faux advertisements, enhancing the overall immersion while providing essential information.

  • stability1 mentions

    The game demonstrates strong stability, featuring day-one Linux support and performing well according to Zachtronics standards.

    • “Per Zachtronics standard, it has day-one Linux support and runs great.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs, providing a stable experience.”
    • “I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it maintains a consistent frame rate throughout.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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Play time

29hMedian play time
31hAverage play time
25-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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