Hacknet similar games & best alternatives
Hacknet
2015
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Quick resume
Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator for PC. 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.
Global score
94/100
Genres
Indie, Simulator, Puzzle
Similar games
Pros
- Immersive and realistic hacking simulation
- Engaging story with mystery and twists
- Well-designed ui with command line and gui options
- Excellent soundtrack enhancing atmosphere
- Good replay value with dlc and community content
Cons
- Some bugs and save issues reported
- Repetitive gameplay in mid to late stages
- Limited customization and no multiplayer
- Requires some english and technical knowledge
- Story can feel linear and predictable
Motivations
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Autonomy
Game with the same Autonomy vibe
4"Players have freedom to choose how to move, solve puzzles, and explore with multiple approaches to tasks."
Webbed
"Players have freedom to choose commands, explore systems, and solve puzzles with open-ended approaches."
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Competence
Game with the same Competence vibe
4"Game requires skillful command input, strategic planning, and adaptation to unpredictable situations, rewarding mastery and learning."
Duskers
"Game requires learning and applying command line skills, logical thinking, and timed challenges to succeed."
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Competition
Game with the same Competition vibe
-4"Single-player game focused on personal progress and exploration without player-vs-player competition."
Avernum: Escape From the Pit
"Singleplayer game focused on personal progress and story without player-vs-player competition."
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Continuation
Game with the same Continuation vibe
3"Players report addictive gameplay with long sessions possible; DLC and achievements encourage replay and extended play."
Painkiller Hell & Damnation
"Players report addictive gameplay and replay value with multiple storylines and DLC."
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Cooperation
Game with the same Cooperation vibe
-5"Entirely singleplayer experience with no cooperative or multiplayer features."
OH MY GOD, LOOK AT THIS KNIGHT
"Entirely singleplayer experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."
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Creativity
Game with the same Creativity vibe
3"Players can experiment with different hacking strategies and tools; user-created missions add creative content."
NITE Team 4 - Military Hacking Division
"Players experiment with commands and explore different hacking approaches and easter eggs."
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Domination
Game with the same Domination vibe
-5"No social dominance or power over others; interactions are solo and story-driven."
Helen's Mysterious Castle
"No social dominance or power over others; interactions are solo and story-driven."
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Escapism
Game with the same Escapism vibe
4"Immersive hacking experience provides strong escape from real life stress and routines."
Uplink
"Immersive hacking fantasy provides a strong escape from real life stress and routine."
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Expectation
Game with the same Expectation vibe
-4"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and curiosity, not obligation or external pressure."
NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD
"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and curiosity, not obligation or pressure."
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Experimenting
Game with the same Experimenting vibe
4"Encourages trying new things, exploring secrets, and experimenting with mechanics and game elements."
LOEK
"Encourages trying new commands, exploring systems, and uncovering secrets."
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Exploration
Game with the same Exploration vibe
4"Open world exploration, dungeon delving, and discovery of secrets are key gameplay elements."
Tales of Seikyu
"Open exploration of networks, files, and hidden content is a key gameplay element."
-
Expression
Game with the same Expression vibe
2"Some customization of piece appearance and themes available, but limited to cosmetic changes."
Hive
"Some UI themes and minor customization exist but limited overall."
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Fantasy
Game with the same Fantasy vibe
3"The game simulates a hacker fantasy with some realistic elements but simplified for entertainment and learning."
Hacker Simulator
"Simulates a stylized hacker fantasy with some realistic elements but simplified for gameplay."
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Fellowship
Game with the same Fellowship vibe
-4"Focus on solo play with minimal social or community interaction within the game."
Caribbean Legend
"Focus on solo play with minimal social interaction or community integration in-game."
-
Growth
Game with the same Growth vibe
4"Players learn real-world hacking concepts and commands, gaining knowledge and skills."
HackHub: Free Trial
"Players learn command line skills and hacking concepts progressively."
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Health
Game with the same Health vibe
-5"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."
World of Tanks Blitz
"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."
-
Idle
Game with the same Idle vibe
-4"Requires focused attention and active management during gameplay."
Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD
"Requires focused attention and active command input during gameplay."
-
Intimacy
Game with the same Intimacy vibe
-4"No close social or emotional relationships formed through gameplay; solitary experience."
Zodiacats
"No close social relationships formed in-game; solitary experience."
-
Leadership
Game with the same Leadership vibe
-5"No leadership or group management roles present."
People Playground
"No leadership or group management roles present."
-
Progression
Game with the same Progression vibe
3"Players progress through story chapters, unlock new areas, and gain new tools like the hacking device."
Beyond a Steel Sky
"Players gain new hacking tools and unlock story content as they progress."
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Relaxation
Game with the same Relaxation vibe
2"Atmospheric and immersive, but some tension from timed turns and challenging deduction."
Mysterium: A Psychic Clue Game
"Some tension from timed hacks but overall balanced with immersive flow."
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Sensation
Game with the same Sensation vibe
3"Engaging visuals, sound effects, and physical feedback provide stimulating sensory experience."
Knockout League - Arcade VR Boxing
"Engaging UI, music, and command feedback provide stimulating sensory experience."
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Status
Game with the same Status vibe
-4"No social status or recognition mechanics within gameplay."
RollerCoaster Tycoon® 3: Complete Edition
"No social status or recognition mechanics in the game."
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Story
Game with the same Story vibe
4"Strong narrative with multiple endings, character development, and lore exploration."
White Day: A Labyrinth Named School
"Strong narrative with mystery, character interaction, and multiple endings."
-
Strategy
Game with the same Strategy vibe
3"Requires planning skill builds, resource allocation, and timing for upgrades and resets."
Idle Skilling
"Requires planning command sequences and managing limited resources like memory."
-
Thrill
Game with the same Thrill vibe
3"Tension from countdown timers and risk of failure creates suspense and excitement."
Bomb Squad Academy
"Timed trace counters and risk of failure create suspense and excitement."
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Value
Game with the same Value vibe
4"Highly praised for content and replayability relative to price."
SanctuaryRPG: Black Edition
"Highly praised for content, story, and replay value relative to price."
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Violence
Game with the same Violence vibe
-4"No combat mechanics; focus on exploration and puzzle solving rather than destruction."
Whispering Willows
"Focus on hacking and exploration rather than combat or destruction."
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Survival
Game with the same Survival vibe
2"Players must avoid failure by detecting anomalies to progress, creating a mild survival tension."
The Exit 8
"Players must avoid detection and failure, adding survival-like tension."
Analysis
A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership, Violence. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Progression.
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.
Last update: 30/04/2026