Hacknet

Pros

• Very original game
• Intuitive gameplay
• Unique presentation
• Interesting puzzles

Cons

• Can be complex
• Gets some terminology wrong

Hacknet is a video game that's designed to look and feel like the terminal of a sophisticated computer hacker. You're presented with a mock-up of a command line interface used by Unix systems. If you've ever worked with GNU/Linux or FreeBSD, then you'll find that many of the commands that you're used to are actually installed.

That means you're free to experiment. In fact, those who are willing to cause damage to their own system can delete the system folder if they so prefer. New gamers are unlikely to lose Hacknet in this way, however. In fact, no programming knowledge is necessary to play. While nobody would normally consider the game to be an introduction to coding, it can certainly teach quite a bit about how these systems work and introduce people to the concept of working with Unix filing structures. Nevertheless, it's nowhere near as complex as the real thing.

Eventually, you'll end up in a sort of war with another hacker named Naix, who wants to hurt your own chances of seizing control of outside systems. You'll have the chance to damage Naix's installation, so that your enemies won't be able to take over any computer system that you currently hold in your pocket.

Some fans might balk a bit at the terminology used in the game. Debatably, your player character is more of a cracker than a hacker. However, even the most nitpicky fan will love the fact that all of the simulated remote terminals in the game include readable text files that reward you with bits of computer and social media history lore once you break into them. Most of these text files are dumps from a famous real-world site.

Hardcore gamers, however, will more than likely just appreciate the game's unique set of puzzles. You could look at Hacknet as a game that provides a series of text-based challenges rather than anything having to do with its elaborate in-game storyline. Looking at it this way, users may say that it's one of the more unusual games that they've had the opportunity to play and that should certainly help to make it stand out from the pack.

Pros

• Very original game
• Intuitive gameplay
• Unique presentation
• Interesting puzzles

Cons

• Can be complex
• Gets some terminology wrong