Hack RUN
- June 17, 2015
- i273 LLC
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Apple StoreIn Hack Run, players assume the role of a hacker attempting to infiltrate a mysterious organization's systems to uncover their secrets. Using command prompts reminiscent of DOS or UNIX, players navigate through the game by learning and utilizing various commands to access files and emails, revealing clues and riddles to progress. As players hack into new accounts and gather key information, they increase their skill level, with the ultimate goal of reaching over 50 levels deep.
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Reviews
- The game features an interesting storyline and engaging puzzles that require critical thinking.
- It's a fun and immersive experience, especially for those who enjoy logic puzzles and command line interfaces.
- The game is accessible for newcomers to the genre, providing a sense of achievement as players progress through the levels.
- Many puzzles can feel repetitive and some solutions are overly simplistic or illogical, leading to frustration.
- The game relies heavily on external websites for clues, which can break immersion and lead to issues if those sites are down.
- Players may find the game too short and lacking in depth, with some feeling it doesn't deliver on its hacking theme.
- story98 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally engaging and features intriguing twists, but many players find it becomes convoluted and unrealistic towards the end, leading to mixed feelings about its execution. While some appreciate the initial setup and the fun of uncovering a conspiracy, others criticize the weak world-building and abrupt plot dumps that detract from immersion. Overall, it offers a blend of entertainment and confusion, appealing to those who enjoy quick, puzzle-driven narratives.
“A very cool, story-driven 'hacking' game.”
“I love how it really drags you into its own world, with a great story and funny twists.”
“The game had an amazing story line that almost felt like going down a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories.”
“The lack of plot up front requires a massive multi-paragraph plot dump at the end that feels pretty wtf, which is a mark of poor storytelling.”
“The later part of the story starts going off the rails as far as believability, and I lost immersion due to the ridiculousness of it.”
“There's a plot twist that isn't hinted at earlier in the game, so it kind of feels like it's dumped on you with no prior warning.”
- music22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with players noting the lack of original music and reliance on a single external song for progression, which feels more like an advertisement than an integral part of the gameplay. Additionally, audio-only puzzles without captions have frustrated users, leading to confusion and reliance on external guides. Overall, the music experience is deemed unsatisfactory compared to other games that feature engaging soundtracks.
“Good music.”
“Very very good music.”
“And the principle to open notes in the basic notepad and your browser to check websites specific to the game... and even listen to a song - yay, the only track of the game - is awesome.”
“Also, a part of the game requires you to visit a website and listen to a song to progress, like a ridiculous ad.”
“The game has two puzzles that are audio-only, with no captions, with one requiring listening to a song and the other being somewhat distorted spoken audio.”
“Gameplay open menu -> read emails -> read more emails -> read even more emails -> get outside of the game website and listen to a song to find the password to advance -> more emails to read... passwords are so obvious that they don't even need to exist in the game.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "hack run" is characterized by its simplicity and repetitiveness, primarily involving reading emails and solving straightforward puzzles to progress. While some players appreciate the quirky elements and the ability to quickly earn achievements, many find the mechanics unremarkable and the overall experience lacking depth, with gameplay lasting between 1 to 6 hours depending on the player's engagement. Despite its flaws, it can still be enjoyable for those seeking a casual gaming experience.
“While mechanically, Hack Run is very simplistic, it still tells an interesting enough story that I can generally recommend it if you're looking for a game that you can just blaze through and rack up ~50 achievements in within 2-3 hours, as long as you're willing to use a bit of brains to figure out who uses which password, given the provided hints.”
“The game mechanics are very simple and the little puzzles are straightforward, but at least it's hard to get really stuck or lost, so there's a good sense of progress.”
“There were a lot of quirky gameplay elements that made me realize I was playing a very original game.”
“But from a gameplay perspective, there is nothing remarkable to find here.”
“Gameplay open menu -> read emails -> read more emails -> read even more emails -> get on the outside of the game website and listen to a song to find the password to advance -> more emails to read... passwords are so obvious that they don't even need to exist in the game.”
“So, the story's confusing, backstory's lacking, gameplay lacking, $5 USD...”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever story twists and amusing emails that provide insight into the characters, despite their absence. Players find the narrative engaging and filled with funny moments, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience.
“I love how it really drags you into its own world, with a great story and funny twists.”
“The mails are very funny, and while you don't get to see any character, you always get some kind of info about the person you just hacked or are about to hack.”
“Such a fun game, has some really funny moments.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are described as extremely minimalistic, lacking the aesthetic appeal often found in more engaging hacker or programming games. Instead of elaborate visuals, the game presents a simple hacker interface that players must learn to navigate, which some reviewers feel detracts from the overall experience.
“It's not a hacking game, it's a puzzle-ish game with the most minimalistic graphics I've seen in any video game ever.”
“The graphics are simple yet effective, creating an immersive environment that enhances the overall experience.”
“It's not a hacking game; it's a puzzle-ish game with the most minimalistic graphics I've seen in any video game ever.”
“It isn't a bunch of fancy graphics, just a hacker screen you learn to navigate over the course of the game.”
“It's missing the aesthetic of surprise that is common in better hacker/programmer games, where you solve puzzles by using old tools in novel combinations.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as many usernames and passwords rely on common regional references, making the process of cracking them feel repetitive and frustrating.
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express that the game evokes a sense of intellectual empowerment, making them feel more intelligent than they perceive themselves to be. This emotional response highlights the game's ability to engage players on a cognitive level, enhancing their self-esteem and confidence.
