Game · Released

Hacknet

Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator. Dive down a rabbit hoIe as you follow the instructions of a recently deceased hacker, whose death may not have been the accident the media reports. Using old school command prompts and real hacking processes, you’ll solve the mystery with minimal hand-holding and a rich world full of secrets to explore. Bit, a hacker responsible for creating the most invasive security system on the planet, is dead. When he fails to reconnect to his system for 14 days, his failsafe kicks in, sending instructions in automated emails to a lone user. As th

Release date
August 14, 2015
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Developer
Team Fractal Alligator
Publisher
Fellow Traveller
Hacknet artwork
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About Hacknet

Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator. Dive down a rabbit hoIe as you follow the instructions of a recently deceased hacker, whose death may not have been the accident the media reports. Using old school command prompts and real hacking processes, you’ll solve the mystery with minimal hand-holding and a rich world full of secrets to explore. Bit, a hacker responsible for creating the most invasive security system on the planet, is dead.

When he fails to reconnect to his system for 14 days, his failsafe kicks in, sending instructions in automated emails to a lone user. As that user, it’s up to you to unravel the mystery and ensure that Hacknet-OS doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Exploring the volatile nature of personal privacy, the prevalence of corporate greed, and the hidden powers of hackers on the internet, Hacknet delivers a true hacking simulation, while offering a support system that allows total beginners get a grasp of the real-world applications and commands found throughout the game.

Real hacking: based on actual UNIX commands, Hacknet focuses on real hacking, not the Hollywood-style version of it. This creates a truly immersive experience and puts players right in the thick of trying to break through the firewalls. Unlock the mystery of Bit: a hacker is dead and the media reports don’t add up.…

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Hacknet reviews & player comments

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★ 8.2/10GOG · 202 ratings
GOGLast checked November 5, 2026

Most helpful8

★ 5 / 5
1st note: I played the demos of both Uplink and this game, so I can compare between the 2. So: 1.Uplink doesn't scale well at…
★ 2 / 5
As others have said, this game is broken. I am giving only two stars--instead of the four I think it deserves--because after playing quite well…
★ 4 / 5
Okay, we all played Uplink so how is this game compared to it? Close but wont catch it for sure. First when i started everything…
★ 4 / 5
Would have been an instant classic if it wasn't for the game stopping bugs. Pros: ++ Amazing atmosphere, you'll panic when the track timer gets…
★ 5 / 5
I really enjoyed this game. You can beat it in a day and it'll remain in your memory for much longer. Recommended with a linux-running…
★ 2 / 5
This is a decent effort, but it's not all there. It's full of design problems and weird little bugs, and it's quite short. Let me…
★ 3 / 5
The game is full of "oh, this kind of looks like $THING... but it isn't" moments. The interface looks like tiling window manager... but you…
★ 2 / 5
Not sure why my review disappeared, anyways... This game is neither a clever puzzle, nor a programming game. All you have to do is to…

Most recent8

★ 4 / 5
A beatiful expirence for any tech geek with some really fun and ballanced challenges Only some problems with scalling and text looking too small on…
★ 5 / 5
It certanly is an immersive hacking simulator. If you are familiar with Linux (Arch btw), you are going to feel at home. The soundtrack is…
★ 5 / 5
very well writen and helps to teach a lot of computer comands i recomend it to anyone who wants to learn some linux
★ 4 / 5
One of the best hacking games on the market. Truly a hacking open world - once you hack a machine, you can scavenge it for…
★ 5 / 5
It´s a really unique game, i´ve enjoyed a lot! Writing in the terminal it´s preatty nice! Feels like we´re real programers xDDD
★ 5 / 5
Did you grow up watching movies like The Matrix as a child? Have you always dreamed of being one of those hackers you see in…

Short excerpts linked to their source. The score above uses aggregate storefront ratings—not these few comments.