Hacknet Educational License
- August 13, 2018
- Fellow Traveller
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Hacknet Educational License" is a simulation game that puts you in the role of a hacker. It features a command-line interface and offers a realistic hacking experience as you explore various systems, complete missions, and unlock new abilities. This educational version is designed for use in classrooms and includes features for educators such as a customizable curriculum and in-game tutorials.
Reviews
- story2,546 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative 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 appreciate the blend of charm and seriousness, with many noting the emotional depth and unexpected twists that keep them invested throughout the gameplay. While some find the missions repetitive and the overall story somewhat linear, the unique storytelling approach and the integration of real command-line hacking elements create a compelling experience that resonates with players.
“Possibly one of the greatest story games of all time, very unique.”
“The story is captivating, and drives the game forward, ensuring you want to continue hacking until you finally discover the truth of the 'locked-computer mystery.'”
“The story is surprisingly good for what the game is.”
“The story is very captivating.”
“The story is a bit linear.”
“The story isn't really anything special, but it gives your actions meaning... and that makes the game much more fun!”
- music794 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in Hacknet has received widespread acclaim for its immersive and energetic soundtrack, which enhances the hacking experience and complements the game's atmosphere. Many players describe the soundtrack as a blend of electronic and synthwave styles, with tracks that effectively build tension during gameplay. While some users noted that certain songs can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
“The outstanding soundtrack helped to draw me in and soon I was hooked.”
“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.”
“The music is fantastic, the dialogue is detailed and witty, and the problems that you need to solve range from conveniently easy to engaging, difficult, and rewarding.”
“Just terrible, the whole game is literally running `scp` in a terminal window while the techno music loops on a repeat after a couple of minutes.”
“The only complaint I have is that there are like 2-3 songs in the game that get repetitive quick.”
“The music makes my ears bleed.”
- gameplay744 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Hacknet is characterized by its immersive and engaging mechanics, primarily revolving around typing commands in a terminal interface to simulate hacking. While the core gameplay is simple and can become repetitive, it is complemented by a compelling story and a captivating soundtrack, which together create a thrilling experience. Players appreciate the gradual introduction of new mechanics and the puzzle-solving elements, although some feel that the gameplay lacks depth compared to other hacking games like Uplink. Overall, Hacknet offers a unique and enjoyable experience for those interested in hacking simulations, despite some criticisms regarding its repetitiveness and simplicity.
“It was a really, really fun adventure to hack around everything and discover the grander story at play; some of the panic sequences are downright thrilling, and the core gameplay is simply excellent, varied yet somewhat simplistic and easy to grasp.”
“The gameplay is engaging and well designed.”
“The gameplay is fun, the story is captivating, and the soundtracks are masterpieces.”
“Overall, if you like games for the gameplay, maybe skip this one, but if you appreciate good music and can stomach quite a bit of reading, then you'll probably enjoy this game.”
“The gameplay is literally just typing commands and clicking and reading, but I couldn't put this game down until I finished it and its DLC in one big 8-hour session.”
“The technical aspect of the gameplay also starts to get repetitive once you've tried out all the commands and programs available to you, somewhere around the halfway point.”
- graphics245 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics in Hacknet are generally described as simple yet effective, enhancing the game's immersive hacking experience without overshadowing gameplay. While some players appreciate the nostalgic, flashy aesthetic reminiscent of 90s hacking films, others note that the visuals are minimal and primarily text-based, focusing more on atmosphere and storytelling than on high-end graphics. Overall, the combination of a clean user interface, engaging visuals, and a strong soundtrack contributes to a captivating experience, though the game is not designed for those who prioritize advanced graphics.
“Hacknet absolutely nails the aesthetic and for that it is worth playing.”
“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.”
- humor178 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting the abundance of funny easter eggs, chat logs, and quirky references that enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers appreciate the clever writing and comedic moments interspersed throughout the gameplay, which provide a light-hearted contrast to the more serious themes of hacking and morality. Overall, the game's humor is seen as a significant strength, making it engaging and enjoyable for players who take the time to explore its many hidden gems.
“The game is filled with funny easter eggs and good lore.”
“The chat conversations and other documents found on the systems you compromise are genuinely funny.”
“The game has many easter eggs, and a sense of humor, but it also knows when to drop the jokes and take on a more serious tone for certain quests.”
- replayability97 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability across various games, with some titles boasting high replay value due to expanding content, procedural generation, and player-driven experiences, while others suffer from linear narratives and limited mission variety. Many players appreciate the potential for multiple playthroughs, especially with added expansions and user-generated content, but some express disappointment in the lack of significant replay options after completing the main story. Overall, while some games are deemed infinitely replayable, others are criticized for their short duration and scripted missions, leading to a consensus that replayability varies widely among titles.
“Like a lot of replay value, as the list of added content in the expansions is ever growing due to the fun style of gameplay interaction with story.”
“The replayability is incredible and the storyline is detailed, complicated and very player driven.”
“This game is a wonderful composition of a tactile, player driven environment coupled with great audio forming a memorable and infinitely replayable experience.”
“I liked it overall but I'm not recommending it as once you already beat the game, there is no replayability, so it just sits in your library once 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.”
- emotional88 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players frequently highlight the emotional depth of the game, noting its ability to evoke feelings of intelligence, immersion, and connection to the story and characters. Many reviews mention moments of genuine emotional impact, including tears at the ending and a sense of moral conflict, which enhance the overall experience and make players feel like they are part of a compelling narrative. The combination of engaging writing, music, and visuals contributes to a heartfelt journey that resonates with players, even those with little prior knowledge of hacking.
“A very fun, immersive and relatively challenging game that made me feel like I am a genuine part of the story.”
“The story even got me emotional, especially with the 'Project Junebug' side mission.”
“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.”
- atmosphere66 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, driven by a captivating soundtrack and engaging visuals that enhance the hacking experience. Players feel a strong sense of tension and excitement, particularly during time-sensitive tasks, which is complemented by the game's well-crafted storyline. Overall, the combination of music, sound effects, and thematic elements creates a compelling environment that draws players into the role of a hacker.
“The high energy electronic music and the cool animations that appear every time you run a program give the game an incredibly fun atmosphere that really does make you feel like a master 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.”
“Hacknet is a brilliant game that doesn't need million dollar cut scenes or a huge marketing budget to be great, what Hacknet provides is a simple, enthralling story line, rich atmosphere and a great puzzle solving foundation with which it will drag you in and not let go of you until the game is finished.”
“The game does a great job on making what in reality is a very difficult and complex task easier to grasp while still maintaining a serious and 'hacker-ish' atmosphere.”
“Although some gameplay elements can be slightly repetitive, the atmosphere and amazing soundtrack keep you invested in what you're doing and overall make Hacknet an enjoyable, sometimes nerve-wracking experience.”
“The atmosphere generated by the soundtrack is immensely fitting for the gameplay, and in my personal opinion, it does make you feel rather devious as you weave through the security measures on a character's computer to further the game.”
- stability61 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is widely reported to be quite buggy, particularly on macOS, with frequent crashes, glitches, and issues that can disrupt gameplay. Many players have experienced significant frustration due to these stability problems, which can hinder progress and enjoyment. While some users find ways to work around the bugs, the overall consensus is that the game's stability needs improvement for a smoother experience.
“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.”
“This is the most buggy game I've ever played.”
- grinding61 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is often perceived as tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling it requires an excessive time commitment. While some appreciate the immersive experience and compelling story that can make the grinding feel worthwhile, others find the gameplay monotonous and lacking in challenge, leading to frustration. Overall, the balance between engaging gameplay and tedious grinding remains a contentious point among players.
“Stunning game, great visuals, thought-provoking challenges but not too tedious.”
“The challenges are realistic, but not tedious.”
“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.”
“Once you get to that long slog of a valley mid-game, it stops feeling like hacking and puzzle solving, and starts to feel more like grinding mobs in an MMO to get to the next bit of storyline.”
- optimization9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly at 4K resolution, while others report smooth gameplay on lower-end systems. Many users suggest that the game requires further optimization to enhance CPU performance and overall efficiency.
“Great game, but 4K is pretty unoptimized; I would recommend playing on 1920x1080.”
“My sole complaint with this game is the optimization; this game does chug a little.”
“It needs optimizations.”
“Unoptimized game; my 4080 shouldn't be screaming while playing this.”
“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.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling that in-game purchases are excessive and likening it to a cash grab. Additionally, there are complaints about intrusive advertising, although no pop-up ads are present in the game itself. Overall, while the game is praised for its story, 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
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative 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.”
“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.”
