Unhack 2
- January 12, 2017
- InvertMouse
In "Unhack 2", an anonymous AI known as Program X has disrupted cyberspace, and the unhacker, accompanied by advanced AI Neonya, is called to restore order. The story is darker than its predecessor, "Unhack 1", raising questions about humanity's future and AI's comprehension of it. Puzzle segments are integrated into the narrative, offering a balanced blend of storytelling and gameplay.
Reviews
- The story is significantly improved, offering a deeper narrative with emotional twists and well-developed characters.
- The visuals have seen a major upgrade, making the game more aesthetically pleasing compared to the first installment.
- The game successfully blends a visual novel format with light puzzle elements, providing an engaging experience for fans of the genre.
- The lack of voice acting is a disappointment, especially for players who enjoyed the audio experience in the first game.
- Gameplay is heavily reduced, with puzzles being skippable and less integral to the overall experience, which may frustrate fans of the original's mechanics.
- The game is relatively short, taking only about 3-4 hours to complete, leaving some players wanting a longer experience.
- story98 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story in "Unhack 2" has received significant praise for its depth and emotional impact, transitioning to a visual novel format that emphasizes narrative over gameplay. Players appreciate the intricate plot twists, character development, and exploration of themes related to artificial intelligence and humanity, making it a compelling experience. While some miss the balance of gameplay and story from the first installment, the overall consensus is that the storytelling is engaging and well-executed, with a satisfying conclusion.
“The story is wonderful and the characters have more emotions compared to the first Unhack game.”
“A surprisingly good sci-fi visual novel about AI companions, Unhack 2 weaves a complex story that touches on social and philosophical issues regarding the nature of artificial intelligence and their relationship with humans, while at the same time having heartfelt moments and memorable characters.”
“The story just grabbed me and brought me along for the ride.”
“Unhack 2 is a very different game from the original; while the first was 50% gameplay seamlessly meshed with 50% story, this game is 5% gameplay sprinkled in with 95% story.”
“The story itself makes the game really worth playing as it goes into detail about how AI works in the Unhack universe, which really adds depth to events you play through and characters you interact with.”
“The biggest loss is the lack of voice acting; which doesn't hinder the story, but still left me a little sad since the voice actors from Unhack 1 did such an amazing job bringing their characters to life.”
- gameplay27 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Unhack 2" has shifted significantly from its predecessor, with a strong emphasis on narrative over interactive elements. While the first game featured a balanced mix of puzzles and story, the sequel offers minimal gameplay, primarily consisting of easy puzzles that serve more as decorative elements than core mechanics. Players seeking a rich gameplay experience may be disappointed, as the game leans heavily into the visual novel format, focusing on dialogue and story progression.
“I played the first game a few years back, thinking it was just some cheap visual novel with a few puzzles, but I was pleasantly surprised by how good both the gameplay and the story were.”
“The puzzle gameplay was fun, for what there was, but definitely believe the author when they say this is primarily a visual novel: there were really only a handful of puzzle segments, I don't think I kept count, but I'd guess less than ten of them in what was a four-ish hour play.”
“Unhack 2 follows through with a more in-depth story than the first, and I appreciated the continuation of the puzzle mechanic despite hearing the possibility of them being taken out.”
“Although there are some new mechanics, there were only 10 levels throughout this 3-hour long journey.”
“I must say, however, that I was disappointed when I played Unhack 2 and realized that there is no voice acting (I am an idiot because it says on the store page that voice acting is not present in the game due to the amount of acting required, but I somehow missed that part) and that actual gameplay was too easy and segments were too few and too far apart.”
“Unhack 2 is a very different game from the original; while the first was 50% gameplay seamlessly meshed with 50% story, this game is 5% gameplay sprinkled in with 95% story.”
- music19 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with many players appreciating the return of the original composer and noting that the soundtrack is a significant improvement over the first game. While most tracks are well-received, one song at the beginning was criticized for poor sampling quality. Overall, the music enhances the game's presentation and complements its engaging story and art.
“The soundtrack, voice acting, story, and gameplay were superb, and worth the price of the game.”
“The soundtrack is amazing, and I listened to it quite a few times; the art is just as good, if not better than in the first game.”
“If you liked the music in the first game, you'll definitely be in for a treat.”
“The music's pretty alright.”
“If you liked the music in the first game, you'll like the music in this one as well.”
“I'm saying yes only that I love the soundtrack that he even remastered some of unhack 1.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received significant praise, with many users noting a marked improvement in artwork quality compared to the previous installment. The visuals are described as satisfying and outstanding, rivaling top-tier visual novels, while the nostalgic elements from the first game enhance the overall experience. Despite some minor criticisms regarding recycled graphical elements, the art style remains a highlight for players.
“The visuals are more satisfying to look at, and their art has improved quite a bit!”
“Artwork is as always outstanding, even giving some of the top-tier visual novels and artists a run for their money.”
“The art style is fantastic, and there’s this nostalgic feeling regarding the first game in terms of story and background music.”
“I've got a real soft spot for InvertMouse's visual novels; they get so many things right in terms of the stuff that counts; good characterization, plotting, and pacing that the shallower areas (like the superfluous mini-games and occasional recycled graphical elements) don't really register.”
“Have multiple generations of graphics for past and present.”
“Now art & music, the artwork is above your standard anime; in my opinion, it's great.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "unhack 2" is highlighted as a deeply touching experience that explores themes of technology, love, and humanity, delivering a heartfelt narrative that resonates with players. Reviewers note the game’s ability to evoke strong feelings through its complex story and memorable characters, while also addressing philosophical questions about artificial intelligence. Overall, it is described as an emotional rollercoaster that effectively concludes the series, making it a must-play for fans of visual novels.
“It's a deeply touching and emotional work featuring themes of technology, love, family, humanity, and the soul.”
“What we are left with is a heartwarming story about artificial intelligence, family, the relationship between humanity and technology, transhumanism, and the morality of creating living feeling beings just to treat them no better than a toaster.”
“A surprisingly good sci-fi visual novel about AI companions, Unhack 2 weaves a complex story that touches on social and philosophical issues regarding the nature of artificial intelligence and their relationship with humans, while at the same time having heartfelt moments and memorable characters.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in Unhack 2 is highly praised, with reviewers noting its depth and effectiveness, particularly when players experience Unhack 1 first for additional context. The immersive world-building further enhances the character arcs, making them feel more impactful and engaging.
“If there's one thing that stands out above the rest, it's definitely the character development.”
“If you do give Unhack 2 a try, I highly recommend going through Unhack 1 first as it will give you a good amount of background and character development.”
“The character development in this game is amazing; the world-building is creative and immersive.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of scary and absurd, featuring a visual novel style with hacking elements and quirky AI characters that provide comedic interactions. Notably, there is a humorous homage to a well-known Windows OS assistant, adding a nostalgic and funny twist to the experience.
“Just scary, funny, and all over the place.”
“A visual novel style game with hacking gameplay that has virtual AI characters who guide you along the way as an 'unhacker' and interact with you in some funny and ridiculous ways.”
“There is a very funny homage to an old Windows OS assistant that we all know and love to hate.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic amount of effort, akin to needing a second life to fully engage with it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding for minimal rewards.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a significantly heavier tone, with a noticeable reduction in humor, creating a more serious and intense experience for players.
“The general atmosphere and tone are much heavier, with less joking around.”
“The immersive environment truly pulls you in, making every moment feel intense and engaging.”
“The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the visuals, creating a chilling yet captivating atmosphere.”
“The general atmosphere and tone is much heavier, with less joking around.”
“The game fails to create an immersive atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected.”
“The environment feels lifeless and lacks the depth needed to draw players in.”