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EXAPUNKS similar games & best alternatives

EXAPUNKS

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2018

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Quick resume

The year is 1997. You used to be a hacker, but now you have the phage. You made a deal: one hack, one dose. There’s nothing left to lose… except your life.

Global score

95/100

Genres

Indie, Simulator, Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep and challenging programming puzzles
    • Immersive cyberpunk story and atmosphere
    • High replayability with optimization and multiplayer
    • Well-designed tutorial and documentation
    • Strong community and user-generated content support

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve for non-programmers
    • Limited social and cooperative gameplay
    • Can be frustrating due to difficulty
    • Requires focused attention, not casual play
    • Some players find story and dialog limited

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have freedom to build various structures creatively to solve puzzles, with multiple solutions possible."

      Capsule for World of Goo World of Goo

      "Players have high freedom to design their own code solutions and approaches to puzzles, with multiple ways to solve each problem."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      5

      "The game challenges players with complex programming puzzles requiring skill, optimization, and logical thinking."

      Capsule for TIS-100 TIS-100

      "The game challenges players with complex programming puzzles requiring skill, optimization, and problem-solving, providing strong feedback and a sense of mastery."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      3

      "Includes multiplayer with leaderboards and ranked modes; players compete against others and hackers."

      Capsule for Rebel Forces Rebel Forces

      "Includes leaderboards and asynchronous multiplayer hacker battles encouraging comparison and competition with others."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "High replayability with many levels, user-generated content, and collectibles encourages long-term engagement."

      Capsule for BattleBlock Theater® BattleBlock Theater®

      "High replayability with optimization challenges, bonus puzzles, and user-generated content encourage long-term engagement."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -3

      "Gameplay is primarily individual with limited interaction; multiplayer is competitive rather than cooperative."

      Capsule for Wingspan Wingspan

      "Gameplay primarily focuses on individual puzzle solving and programming; multiplayer is asynchronous and competitive rather than cooperative."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      5

      "Highly creative gameplay with modular units, customizable components, and visual programming allowing unique player solutions."

      Capsule for Desynced Desynced

      "Players create custom code solutions with open-ended design space and can even program mini-games on an in-game device."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -4

      "Interactions emphasize balanced challenge and personal skill rather than exerting power over others; no evidence of trash talk or dominance."

      Capsule for No Rest for the Wicked No Rest for the Wicked

      "Interactions emphasize personal skill and competition without evidence of trash talk or exerting authority over others."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Immersive cyberpunk setting and engaging narrative provide strong escape from real life."

      Capsule for Song of Farca Song of Farca

      "Immersive cyberpunk setting and story provide a strong escape from real life through engaging narrative and atmosphere."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment of puzzles."

      Capsule for The House of Da Vinci The House of Da Vinci

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment of programming puzzles and cyberpunk themes."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      5

      "Game encourages trying new coding techniques, optimization strategies, and creative problem solving."

      Capsule for Replicube Replicube

      "Encourages exploration of programming mechanics, optimization strategies, and creative problem solving."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Players explore new environments and uncover story elements and secrets"

      Capsule for Garten of Banban 8: Anti Devil Garten of Banban 8: Anti Devil

      "Players explore new puzzle challenges, story elements, and in-game environments, including hidden secrets and lore."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Customization mainly through base building and some character-related choices; less focus on avatar personalization."

      Capsule for Sons Of The Forest Sons Of The Forest

      "Customization mainly through code solutions and some cosmetic elements like printable zines and in-game chat, but limited avatar personalization."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "Strong cyberpunk hacking fiction with immersive narrative and thematic elements."

      Capsule for Midnight Protocol Midnight Protocol

      "Strong cyberpunk fiction setting with dystopian narrative and hacker culture immersion."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -2

      "Limited social interaction; some community trading but mostly solitary play."

      Capsule for Viridi Viridi

      "Limited social interaction focused on asynchronous competition rather than community or cooperative play."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      5

      "Players develop programming skills, logical thinking, and strategic planning through gameplay and community learning."

      Capsule for GLADIABOTS - AI Combat Arena GLADIABOTS - AI Combat Arena

      "Players learn programming concepts, improve coding skills, and develop problem-solving abilities."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

      Capsule for THE ENIGMA MACHINE THE ENIGMA MACHINE

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -4

      "Requires focused attention and active problem solving; not suited for casual or background play."

      Capsule for FEZ FEZ

      "Requires focused attention and active problem solving; not suited for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -4

      "Social interactions are surface-level, focused on competition rather than close relationships."

      Capsule for Adorables Adorables

      "Social interactions are surface-level and limited to chat and asynchronous competition without close relationships."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -3

      "Players act independently; no mention of leading or managing groups."

      Capsule for Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim

      "No evidence of leading others; players act independently or compete without managing groups."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

      "Progression through levels and unlocking new puzzles, plus creation and sharing of content."

      Capsule for Crazy Machines 3 Crazy Machines 3

      "Progression through unlocking new puzzles, story chapters, and features like multiplayer and sandbox programming."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      -2

      "Challenging puzzles and potential for frustration reduce relaxation; requires focus."

      Capsule for King's Quest™ Collection King's Quest™ Collection

      "Challenging puzzles can cause frustration and sustained mental effort rather than relaxation or flow."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Engaging retro visuals, music, and sound design provide stimulating sensory experience."

      Capsule for Nightmare Kart Nightmare Kart

      "Enjoyable retro-style visuals, music, and sound design provide moderate sensory stimulation."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      3

      "Leaderboards and rankings provide social recognition and status among players."

      Capsule for Hero Zero - Multiplayer RPG Hero Zero - Multiplayer RPG

      "Leaderboards and rankings provide social recognition and status among players."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      4

      "Narrative-driven experience with cyberpunk plot and character interactions."

      Capsule for Sinless + OST Sinless + OST

      "Engaging cyberpunk narrative with voice acting, cutscenes, and immersive world-building."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

      "Requires logical reasoning, planning, and problem solving to deduce correct answers in complex puzzles."

      Capsule for Everyday Genius: SquareLogic Everyday Genius: SquareLogic

      "Requires logical thinking, planning, and optimization to solve complex programming puzzles."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      1

      "Some suspense in puzzle solving and story, but overall controlled and predictable gameplay."

      Capsule for Monkey Island™ 2 Special Edition: LeChuck’s Revenge™ Monkey Island™ 2 Special Edition: LeChuck’s Revenge™

      "Some suspense in solving puzzles and competing, but overall controlled and predictable gameplay."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Good perceived value with extensive content, replayability, and reasonable price."

      Capsule for Uninitialized Uninitialized

      "High perceived value due to extensive content, replayability, and educational benefits."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -4

      "Gameplay focuses on exploration and puzzle solving rather than combat or destruction."

      Capsule for The Wardrobe - Even Better Edition The Wardrobe - Even Better Edition

      "Gameplay focuses on programming and puzzle solving rather than combat or destruction."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      -3

      "No survival mechanics; gameplay occurs in stable, low-risk environments."

      Capsule for Totally Accurate Battle Simulator Totally Accurate Battle Simulator

      "No survival mechanics; gameplay occurs in stable, low-risk environments."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Story, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Survival.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026