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
- story5,092 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of Hacknet is a compelling blend of intrigue and emotional depth, revolving around the mysterious death of a hacker named Bit. Players engage in a series of missions that gradually unveil a larger narrative, filled with twists and ethical dilemmas, while utilizing real command-line hacking techniques. Although some players noted the linearity and occasional repetitiveness of missions, the overall storytelling, immersive atmosphere, and engaging gameplay have garnered high praise, making it a standout title in the hacking simulation genre.
“A story that blends charm and seriousness.”
“Possibly one of the greatest story games of all time, very unique.”
“The story is very captivating.”
“Yes, gameplay is a rare typing contest, and story is a blank page that someone random wrote down. I mean in the new game+ the story for the actual game was very well done as well.”
“The story makes you feel the weight of your actions and while there is some funny here and there you'll see that the people you work for have clients that have very deep and sinister contracts for you to finish.”
“The story is generally alright, but what makes it fun is when you have those heated moments where you have a goal to obtain in heated timed moments.”
- music1,588 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in Hacknet has received widespread acclaim for its immersive and engaging qualities, with many players praising the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the overall gaming experience. The electronic and synthwave tracks effectively complement the hacking theme, creating a dynamic atmosphere that shifts with the gameplay's intensity. While some users noted that certain tracks can become repetitive over extended play sessions, the majority found the soundtrack to be a significant draw, often describing it as "banging" and "epic."
“The outstanding soundtrack helped to draw me in and soon I was hooked.”
“The soundtrack alone makes this game worth the purchase.”
“The music fits the mood of the game well and helps to create a sense of tension and mystery.”
“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.”
- gameplay1,488 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of 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 enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the gradual introduction of new mechanics and the challenge of solving puzzles, although some find the gameplay lacks depth compared to other hacking games like Uplink.
“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 story is decently interesting and the gameplay gets more complex in a very satisfying way but the main appeal is the sense of immersion.”
“The gameplay is engaging and well designed.”
“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 loop is repetitive, but doesn't overstay its welcome.”
“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.”
- graphics490 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 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 visuals and soundtrack creates a compelling environment that resonates well with fans of the genre, despite the game's low graphical demands.
“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.”
“You definitely aren't playing this for the graphics.”
“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.”
- humor356 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its clever writing, numerous easter eggs, and funny chat logs that enhance the overall experience. Many reviews note that the game balances light-hearted moments with a more serious narrative, making it engaging and entertaining. Overall, the humor is seen as a significant strength, contributing to the game's charm and replayability.
“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.”
- replayability194 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its high replay value due to expansions and procedural elements, while others criticize its linear story and scripted missions, leading to limited replay opportunities. Many reviews highlight the enjoyment of exploring different branches and achievements, but some express disappointment in the lack of randomness and variety after completing the main storyline. Overall, while there are elements that encourage replay, the experience can feel repetitive for some players.
“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.”
“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.”
- emotional176 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its immersive storytelling and character development, which evoke a range of feelings from joy to sadness, often leading players to tears. Many users express a sense of cleverness and empowerment as they navigate the game's challenges, while also feeling a deep connection to the narrative and its characters, despite limited exposition. Overall, the combination of engaging writing, music, and moral dilemmas creates a memorable emotional experience that resonates with players long after they finish the game.
“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.”
“I seriously can't remember the last time I had this much fun or felt this emotional over a game.”
- atmosphere132 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, driven by a compelling soundtrack that enhances the hacking experience. Players feel a genuine sense of tension and excitement, particularly during time-sensitive tasks, which is complemented by engaging visuals and a well-crafted storyline. Despite some repetitive gameplay elements, the overall atmosphere effectively draws players into the role of a hacker, making it a standout feature of the game.
“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 storyline, 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 also does very well in recreating an intense atmosphere, mostly through the ticking tracer: as the time ticks down it does place some stress on you as you try to breach, grab whatever information you came for, wipe your traces and disconnect again - before the clock hits 0.”
“The atmosphere generated by the soundtrack is immensely fitting for the gameplay, and (in my personal opinion) does make you feel rather devious as you weave through the security measures on a character's computer to further the game.”
“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.”
- stability122 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been widely criticized for its instability, particularly on macOS, where users report frequent crashes, freezing, and various glitches that hinder gameplay. While some players find the experience enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration over the game's buggy nature, which can lead to significant interruptions and even game-breaking situations. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, with many reviewers recommending caution before purchasing.
“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.”
- grinding122 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious, with many players feeling it requires a significant time investment to progress. While some appreciate the immersive story and unique challenges, others find the repetitive nature of tasks and command sequences to be monotonous and frustrating. Overall, the experience of grinding varies, with some players enjoying the challenge while others view it as a major drawback.
“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 quickly becomes tedious; it doesn't really teach you anything useful apart from a couple of bash commands.”
“The game is terribly tedious and consists of typing the same sequence of commands in the same order for the entire game.”
“Really repetitive and tedious, and the story takes forever to get anywhere.”
- optimization18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that it struggles at higher resolutions like 4K, leading to performance issues even on high-end hardware. While some users report smooth performance on lower-end systems, the general consensus is that the game requires further optimization to enhance CPU efficiency and overall gameplay experience.
“Great game, but 4K is pretty unoptimized; I would recommend playing on 1920x1080.”
“The performance is great and works as expected.”
“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.”
- monetization12 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing it as a cash grab due to aggressive in-game purchases that can be financially draining. Additionally, there are complaints about the presence of pop-up ads, which, while not directly in the game, contribute to a negative perception of the monetization strategy. Overall, the monetization approach seems to detract from the otherwise engaging gameplay experience.
“But in-game purchases will drain your wallet.”
“Cash grab from dev.”
“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 development4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a desire for deeper storytelling and character development, suggesting that while the game allows players to embody a "genius hacker" archetype, it falls short in providing meaningful character growth and narrative depth. Players express disappointment over the lack of substantial character arcs, which detracts from the overall experience.
“I would've 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.”
