Hacknet

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,247 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Hacknet Game Cover
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Hacknet is a terminal-based hacking simulation game where you dive into the complex world of coding, cracking, and network security. As an elite hacker, you'll uncover the secrets of a deceased hacker, Bit, while navigating a thrilling and immersive digital landscape. With multiple missions, an in-depth storyline, and a wealth of computer terminals to explore, Hacknet offers a unique and challenging adventure for both newcomers and experienced cybersecurity enthusiasts.

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

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,247 reviews
story973 positive mentions
stability59 negative mentions
  • story2,378 mentions

    The story of Hacknet is widely praised for its engaging and immersive narrative, which revolves around uncovering the mystery of a deceased hacker named Bit. Players navigate through a series of missions that blend puzzle-solving with a compelling storyline, often filled with emotional and thought-provoking moments. While some reviewers noted the linearity and occasional bugs that can disrupt progression, the overall consensus is that the story, combined with the unique gameplay mechanics, creates a captivating experience that keeps players invested from start to finish.

    • “Its an exceptional game with amazing gameplay, a surprisingly intricate story and phenomenal music!”
    • “The pacing of the story is well-done, with new twists and turns keeping me engaged throughout my playthrough.”
    • “The story is engaging and the gameplay is simple but engaging enough to warrant a couple replays.”
    • “The story feels a little ham-fisted at times, and Project Junebug was morbidly out-of-place for the general plot, but for a general puzzler about hacking, it's good.”
    • “Hacknet has limited replay value, as the story is linear and there are no branching paths or multiple endings.”
    • “Without spoiling anything, you end up having two missions to do, and it seems that it doesn't matter the order you do them in, but if you choose wrong a subsequent mission will be skipped entirely (it is one of the most notorious bugs of the game) and you will miss part of the narrative and context.”
  • music720 mentions

    The music in Hacknet has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the gaming experience, with many players praising its immersive electronic and synthwave style that fits the hacking theme perfectly. While some users noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over extended play sessions, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's atmosphere and tension, making it a standout feature. Many players even expressed a desire to purchase the soundtrack separately, highlighting its impact on their enjoyment of the game.

    • “Its an exceptional game with amazing gameplay, a surprisingly intricate story, and phenomenal music!”
    • “The music fits the mood of the game well and helps to create a sense of tension and mystery.”
    • “The soundtrack blends to make you feel like you're in a movie, with hard and fast music that absolutely slams during some of the timed sections, but also this really cool chill puzzling vibe for the calmer moments.”
    • “I mean I hate the music, does a hacking game really need to impersonate a cinematic experience?”
    • “The only thing this game needs is a way to either choose your own music files, or expand what's in the soundtrack.”
    • “The music makes my ears bleed.”
  • gameplay681 mentions

    The gameplay of Hacknet is widely praised for its immersive and engaging mechanics, which revolve around using real Linux terminal commands to solve puzzles and navigate virtual systems. While many players appreciate the unique blend of storytelling and gameplay, some note that it can become repetitive over time, with a relatively short overall playtime of around 6-10 hours. The game effectively balances simplicity and challenge, making it accessible for newcomers while still offering depth for those familiar with command-line interfaces.

    • “The gameplay consists of completing tasks and solving puzzles by using real Linux terminal commands to navigate through the game's virtual computer systems.”
    • “The gameplay is complex, but very immersive and appropriately challenging.”
    • “The gameplay feels like you're really hacking devices and it gave me a feeling of accomplishment when I finished a difficult job.”
    • “The gameplay can feel rather repetitive at times, but don't be dismayed or fooled.”
    • “The gameplay is simple and after a while, the commands are easy to memorize.”
    • “The gameplay is nothing really exciting; it's more of a mechanical matter of using the appropriate tool for each situation.”
  • graphics228 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally described as simple yet effective, with many reviewers noting that they do not detract from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the minimalist aesthetic that complements the hacking theme, others express concerns about performance issues on modern graphics cards. Overall, the visuals are considered adequate for the gameplay, focusing more on atmosphere and storytelling than on high-end graphical fidelity.

    • “The graphics are simple but effective, and I didn't encounter any issues with frame rate or resolution.”
    • “The visuals were simple, streamlined, and satisfying while also helping enhance the otherwise familiar yet intimidating 'terminal' interface that you use for most of the gameplay.”
    • “The graphics are minimal, easily ran it on my computer.”
    • “The graphics are non-existent, since the entire game is a slick imitation of a bash prompt.”
    • “However, I was disappointed to find that it has such a high requirement on graphics (too much for a laptop without a separate graphics card to play at above 22fps) when there is no need and the graphics aren't the good bit - the gameplay is.”
    • “Hacknet has almost no graphics (maybe about 5 image files in the entire game), it has no video.”
  • humor177 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting the abundance of funny chat logs, easter eggs, and quirky text files that enhance the overall experience. Many reviews note that the humor is cleverly integrated into the hacking mechanics and story, providing a light-hearted contrast to the game's more serious themes. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute significantly to its charm, making it an enjoyable and engaging experience for players.

    • “The chat conversations and other documents found on the systems you compromise are genuinely funny.”
    • “Hacknet has an engaging story, really excellent mechanics, and funny writing; there are even references to real-world Unix software like Wine (a compatibility layer for Unix).”
    • “The game is interesting, and there are plenty of fun tidbits, such as IRC logs with humorous situations.”
  • replayability94 mentions

    The reviews on replayability present a mixed picture: while some players find the game infinitely replayable due to branching missions and player-driven experiences, others criticize its linearity and scripted nature, leading to limited replay value after the initial playthrough. Many appreciate the addition of user-generated content and extensions that enhance replayability, but several reviewers note that the lack of randomization and repetitive elements can diminish the overall experience. Overall, the game offers decent to high replayability, particularly for those who enjoy achievement hunting and exploring different mission paths.

    • “Very fun game, replay value for sure! I'm on my second run and finding a whole other branch of missions to do, plus I'm just better at the whole process in general and able to search around more a lot earlier, unlock more accomplishments, etc.”
    • “The replayability factor is amazing; the game gives you the ability to actually speed up slower sections by obtaining tools you need via a little meme coded into the game.”
    • “The overall atmosphere just feels great, and the replay value is high enough.”
    • “I liked it overall, but I'm not recommending it as once you beat the game, there is no replayability, so it just sits in your library after you finish it once.”
    • “Hacknet has limited replay value, as the story is linear and there are no branching paths or multiple endings.”
    • “The problem with the overly scripted nature is that there is no replayability or world exploration after story completion.”
  • emotional77 mentions

    Players have praised the game for its emotional depth and immersive storytelling, often describing it as an emotional roller-coaster that evokes strong feelings, including sadness and attachment to characters despite minimal direct interaction. Many felt a sense of empowerment and intelligence while playing, likening their experiences to being a real hacker, which contributed to the emotional impact of the narrative. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay, moral dilemmas, and a touching storyline has left a lasting emotional impression on players.

    • “The story is touching and written really well.”
    • “I cried, and that should be enough.”
    • “Excellent game that spoofs using the Unix terminal to hack various nodes, filled with tons of humorous chat logs for you to read through, along with a heart-wrenching story that will leave you feeling emotionally drained.”
  • atmosphere60 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack that complements the intense hacking experience. Players appreciate the combination of engaging visuals, sound effects, and a well-crafted storyline that collectively create a tense and captivating environment. Despite some repetitive gameplay elements, the overall atmosphere keeps players invested and evokes a genuine sense of being a hacker.

    • “The atmosphere created is perfect.”
    • “Hacknet is so atmospheric it feels like you are an actual hacker.”
    • “The atmosphere generated by the soundtrack is immensely fitting for the gameplay, and does make you feel rather devious as you weave through the security measures on a character's computer to further the game.”
    • “The only negative side of this game is that at some point you may think it becomes repetitive, and you'd be right, but the hacking atmosphere will make you want to continue.”
    • “Although some gameplay elements can be slightly repetitive, the atmosphere and amazing soundtrack keep you invested in what you're doing and overall makes Hacknet an enjoyable, sometimes nerve-wracking experience.”
    • “While it fit the atmosphere when you're playing, it can get distracting at times (especially when a part of the mission is time-sensitive).”
  • stability59 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. While some players found ways to work around these issues, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly executed in terms of stability, leading to frustration and a lack of recommendation from many reviewers. Despite its interesting concept, the persistent technical problems overshadow the experience for a substantial number of players.

    • “It's a very cool concept, but unfortunately it's so buggy that I can't recommend it.”
    • “The game is buggy - had to restart 3 times because I got stuck in a situation I suppose the developer hadn't anticipated, and the third time the game keeps crashing when I try to log in to a crucial server.”
    • “So I refunded this game, as it was a buggy mess when I first got it.”
  • grinding53 mentions

    The reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious, often requiring repetitive command inputs that detract from the overall experience. While some players find the story engaging enough to endure the monotony, many express frustration with the lack of variety and the feeling of performing menial tasks. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant drawback, with some players suggesting that it overshadows the game's potential enjoyment.

    • “Stunning game, great visuals, thought-provoking challenges but not too tedious.”
    • “The challenges are realistic, but not tedious.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game is terribly tedious and consists of typing the same sequence of commands in the same order for the entire game.”
    • “Just plain boring, repeating tedious procedures over and over again.”
  • optimization9 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on low-end systems and performs well at lower resolutions, users report significant issues at 4K and on certain platforms like Linux and Mac, indicating a need for further optimization.

    • “The performance is great and works as expected.”
    • “Runs smoothly on low-end computer (Xubuntu 17.04 client on ASUS X206HA).”
    • “The game hinders CPU extensively (I'm playing it on Linux and this shouldn't happen); it could use some optimization.”
    • “My sole complaint with this game is the optimization; this game does chug a little.”
    • “It needs optimizations.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling that in-game purchases are excessive and likening the experience to a cash grab. Additionally, there are complaints about intrusive advertising, although it appears that pop-up ads are not present in the game itself. Overall, while the game is praised for its story and gameplay, the monetization strategy has left some users dissatisfied.

    • “In-game purchases will drain your wallet.”
    • “Cash grab from the developers.”
    • “I don't even want to talk about pop-up ads. No, they're not in the game; I just don't want to talk about them.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Reviews indicate a desire for deeper storytelling and character development, with players feeling that the game falls short in providing meaningful growth for its characters. While it captures the essence of a Hollywood hacker, it lacks the depth and exploration that would enhance the player's connection to the characters.

    • “I would have really enjoyed seeing more storytelling and character development.”
    • “If you want to feel like the genius hacker that always appears in Hollywood films but rarely gets any time for actual character development, then this game is for you.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack any meaningful growth throughout the story.”
    • “I was disappointed by how little the characters evolved; their arcs were predictable and uninspired.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

7hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
5-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 37 analyzed playthroughs

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