Hard Chip

About

Hard Chip is a single player simulation game. It was developed by Elorth and was released on November 22, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

JOIN OUR DISCORD EARLY ACCESS Good people at Valve once said players should buy into an early access for what it is now and not for what it could be. We agree! Make sure you read the Early Access Game section above. Hard Chip is in its active development phase. While the core player experience is in place, the content is subject to change. You may encounter areas where fine-tuning is ong…

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 39 reviews

atmosphere2 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game is a well-made chip fabricator that combines fun puzzles with a light narrative, making it engaging for players interested in digital electronics.
It serves as an excellent learning tool for understanding CMOS logic and circuit design, appealing to both enthusiasts and those new to the subject.
The developer is highly responsive and actively engages with the community, providing regular updates and improvements based on player feedback.

Documentation can be lacking in certain areas, leading to confusion and trial-and-error gameplay for some features.
The game can be quite challenging, which may deter players who are not familiar with logic design or electronics.
There are some technical issues, such as bugs related to mouse sensitivity and freezing during chip editing, which need to be addressed.

story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's story revolves around a post-catastrophe scenario where players must fabricate chips to repair fried electronic devices and escape locked rooms. While the initial narrative adds depth, the focus shifts to the gameplay of chip-building, which is where the real engagement lies.
- “The story at the beginning is a really nice addition, but the real game starts when you are building a chip!”
- “The background story involves a catastrophe that has fried electronic devices, and now you must fabricate chips to repair them.”
- “The basic story revolves around creating chips to escape locked rooms.”
- “It's like a nand game, only in 3D, with MOSFETs and some storytelling elements.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's graphics feature a unique aesthetic that complements its dual gameplay elements of first-person exploration and editing. It runs smoothly even on integrated graphics, showcasing a well-optimized design. Additionally, the inclusion of blueprinting and a chip editor enhances the visual experience.
- “The game features a unique aesthetic that enhances the overall experience, combining first-person exploration with an engaging editor.”
- “The graphics are impressive, showcasing a well-designed environment that captivates players.”
- “The visuals run smoothly even on integrated graphics, demonstrating excellent optimization.”
- “The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
- “The visual design is inconsistent, making it hard to immerse myself in the game world.”
- “Textures are low resolution, which detracts from the overall experience.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The music in the game is well-received, featuring a mix of enjoyable tunes and horror elements that enhance the overall atmosphere, contributing to a thrilling experience. Players find it engaging and immersive, complementing the fun and challenging puzzles.
- “Good music, fun puzzles, can't stop optimizing.”
- “The music has horror elements and is scary.”
- “The music has horror elements and is quite unsettling.”
- “The soundtrack feels out of place and doesn't match the game's atmosphere.”
- “The repetitive nature of the music becomes grating after a short while.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
The atmosphere is likened to a 3D rendition of games like Shenzhen I/O and Turing Complete, suggesting a blend of technical and immersive environments that enhance the overall experience.
- “The immersive environment draws you in, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
- “The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the visuals, creating a truly captivating atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere feels like a 3D version of Shenzhen I/O or Turing Complete.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game excels in optimization, particularly appealing to fans of puzzles and logic, as it incorporates simplified simulations using MOSFETs that enable complex and intriguing optimization challenges.
- “If you somewhat enjoy puzzles, logic, or optimization, this game is for you.”
- “Using MOSFET (simplified simulation) allows for optimizations that can be mind-boggling.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay offers a well-balanced mix of challenge and creativity, enhanced by a light, mysterious narrative that connects the puzzles and provides motivation for players beyond mere mechanics.
- “The gameplay strikes a great balance between challenge and creativity.”
- “Adding to the experience is a light, mysterious narrative that subtly ties the puzzles together, giving you a reason for building these chips beyond the mechanics.”