"Hackshot" is a puzzle artillery game where you play as a hacker, crafting unique projectiles with different abilities to take down pop-up ads and escalating to hacking larger systems. The game features over 20 hours of open-ended levels with multiple solutions and over 7000 cyberballs to craft. The story is a fun and clever take on internet scams as you attempt to hack a major tech corporation. Consider wishlisting on Steam for updates on beta testing.
Hackshot offers a unique blend of physics-based puzzle mechanics and resource management, allowing for creative problem-solving and multiple solutions to each level.
The game features engaging visuals and sound design that enhance the overall experience, with a humorous narrative that adds depth to the gameplay.
Quality of life features, such as the ability to preview shot trajectories and undo previous shots, make the gameplay more accessible and enjoyable.
Achieving maximum scores can be challenging and may require extensive trial and error, which could frustrate some players.
The UI is described as basic, which may detract from the overall aesthetic experience for some users.
While the game is fun, it may lean heavily on optimization and min-maxing, which might not appeal to all players.
gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
69%
6%
The gameplay in Hackshot is engaging and polished, featuring precise slingshot mechanics that encourage experimentation and iterative problem-solving. Players will enjoy the gradual introduction of new mechanics, which keeps the experience fresh and deep, while the cute story complements the gameplay. However, it does require a trial-and-error approach, as players often need to retry shots to achieve the desired outcomes.
“The gameplay feels precise, iterative, and makes you experiment with tools.”
“It's a lot of fun, and gets better the further in you get as new mechanics keep opening up.”
“The game is surprisingly deep; it’s got a great mix of gameplay and story that meticulous players will appreciate.”
“One thing to keep in mind about this game is that it leans heavily on trial and error gameplay, trying over and over similar shots to find the perfect angle or the right mod combination.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game's story is a playful and satirical exploration of internet culture, featuring humorous plot elements and classic meme references, such as downloading more RAM and a character named nucl3ar 5nake. Players appreciate the blend of engaging gameplay and a surprisingly deep narrative that evolves from a relatable premise of combating pop-up ads to more intriguing developments. Overall, the story is described as fun, cute, and polished, appealing to those who enjoy a mix of humor and depth in their gaming experience.
“The story is fun and discovering the 'fake internet' is really fun and satirizes a lot of the funny stuff of life on the internet.”
“The game is surprisingly deep; it’s got a great mix of gameplay and story that meticulous players will appreciate.”
“The story has the right amount of cliché hackers, with the relatable goal of getting rid of pop-up ads at first, but then it gets interesting.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The music and sound effects in the game are praised for their simplicity and immersive quality, complementing the wireframe-style graphics and enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the catchy, old-school hacker vibe of the soundtrack, noting that it fits perfectly with the game's aesthetic and adds to its visual appeal.
“The game looks surprisingly pretty while in motion, but the sounds and music are particularly great.”
“Music and sound effects are immersive and match the game's vibe perfectly.”
“Comes with rad music and an over-the-top old-school hacker style.”
“The music and sound are simple, and go well alongside the wireframe-style graphics.”
“The last to mention is the music and sound effects.”
“The music and sound are simple, and go well alongside the wireframe-style graphics.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's graphics effectively capture a 90s hacking aesthetic through its wireframe-style visuals, which complement the simple music and sound design. Players appreciate the attention to detail in achieving the perfect shot sequence, making the overall visual experience both nostalgic and accessible.
“Its hack-themed visuals are so on point with trying to achieve the perfect shot sequence.”
“The music and sound are simple, and go well alongside the wireframe-style graphics.”
“Nails the aesthetic of 90s hacking while offering something much more accessible.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Hackshot creatively incorporates monetization into its gameplay by making pop-up ads a central enemy, turning a common annoyance into a relatable challenge. Players appreciate the humorous take on ads while engaging with a storyline that evolves beyond typical hacker clichés.
“Hackshot: the only game where downloading RAM is a legit strategy, and pop-up ads are the enemies you love to hate.”
“The story has the right amount of cliché hackers, with the relatable goal of getting rid of pop-up ads at first, but then it gets interesting.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is well-received, with players appreciating its satirical take on internet culture and the amusing elements found within the "fake internet" concept. The story's fun and engaging nature enhances the overall comedic experience.
“The story is fun, and discovering the 'fake internet' is really enjoyable; it satirizes a lot of the funny aspects of life on the internet.”
“I really enjoyed the humor in these files, especially.”
“The story is fun, and discovering the 'fake internet' is really enjoyable; it satirizes a lot of the funny aspects of life on the internet.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game's feature that allows them to visualize the trajectory of their shots before firing, which minimizes tedious trial and error. This design choice shifts the focus from grinding for the correct angles to strategic planning, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers a flexible optimization system by allowing players to apply upgrades from later levels to any previously completed level, but it maintains high standards that may challenge those less inclined towards optimization.
“The game helps you with optimization by allowing upgrades gained in later levels to be used on any level you replay, but be warned that it maintains pretty high standards, so if optimization isn't your thing, you might find it challenging.”
“The game does help you with this by allowing upgrades gained in later levels to be used on any level you replay, but it's still pretty high standards, so be warned if optimization isn't your thing.”