Hacknet

Gameplay

The game is controlled with a combination of a graphical interface and a text based console. It is generally possible to use either interface to perform tasks. The core of the gameplay is to connect to other computers and run dedicated programs to break the security so that you can get administrative powers on the computer. The general procedure is to first run a scan to see what protections the computer has and then run programs matching what the scan revealed.

The game notably averts the common trope of bouncing a connection between several intermediary computers before reaching the target computer. Instead a simplified system of a variable speed countdown is used to force the player to act quickly. If this countdown reaches zero, the player is given one last chance to avoid a game over by hacking their ISP and changing their IP address.

Once administrative powers have been obtained, the file system of the computer is investigated. The exact task on each computer varies for each mission, but can in general be performed by running a specific command to access one or more files on the system.

A few systems have specialized interfaces, such as email systems and databases.

Most computer systems contain text files that can be read. A large majority of the files are quotes from the website bash.org.

Story

The game begins with the player being automatically contacted by a user by the username "bit". The automated message tells the player that it was sent in the event of bit's death and asks that the player investigate his death.

After the tutorial, the story largely takes a back seat for open-ended gameplay, with a mission to address bit's fate. This mission suggests that bit was involved in some sort of illegal activity.

Naix

One of the missions the player takes on involves an opposing hacker by the alias of "Naix". They take offense to being investigated and attack the player by hacking their system. This attack is impossible to defend against and will result in the game GUI disappearing and the virtual computer rebooting, leaving the player with a minimal console interface. Once the player has recovered their system from the attack, the storyline of the game splits. The player can choose to take revenge on the attacker and as a reward get access to a third faction in the game. Or the player can follow the guidance of their mission control and make a statement that such behavior is not acceptable.

Project Junebug

One late game mission in the game is called "Project Junebug". While the player can see it right after joining the hacking group that offers it, the mission will remain locked until all other missions have been taken care of. The mission is a request to provide euthanasia for someone terminally ill by hacking their pacemaker.

Finale

As the final story arc of the game, the player breaks into the computers of a computer security software company, named, "EnTech". As they do so, they are faced with a security system that makes computers inviolable to the tools currently at the disposal of the player. As the player manages to find alternative ways into the protected systems, they discover that bit was involved in a project for the company. Specifically, the creation of a highly advanced operating system specialized in computer hacking. It is revealed that the plan for the project is to unleash the new operating system to the world in order to cause consumer demand for the protection system.

Bit in particular was a major contributor. As the project was nearing its completion, bit was starting to question the morality of the project. A project owner asked an anonymous figure to "discourage him." Due to miscommunication, this led to a hit being put out on Bit, and ending in his assassination, despite the project owners attempts to stop it.

Once all the facts of the story have been revealed to the player, they proceed to eradicate all copies of the Hacknet project. Additionally, by command of bit himself, they bring down the server at the heart of Porthack, the tool that Bit made. Once this final mission is completed, bit delivers a few final, voice acted words and the game credits roll.

Development

Hacknet was developed by one-man studio Team Fractal Alligator, based in Australia.

Reception

Hacknet received generally positive reviews from critics.

DLC

A DLC expansion for "Hacknet", titled "Hacknet Labyrinths" was announced on August 30th 2016. The expansion was set to come out December of 2016, however, development issues delayed release to March of 2017.

The expansion will feature new hacking tools and security systems, as well as a 3 to 4 hour chapter to the game, where the player is recruited by a hacker that goes by the alias "Kaguya" into a small elite hacking team. It will also include more secrets, more UI themes and a full new soundtrack, from artists such as synthwave artist OGRE and Rémi Gallego, creator of metal/electronic act "The Algorithm".