Reviews

• gamedeal user

  Dec 10, 2021

  The gameplay itself seems to resemble the original 100% HOWEVER I've bought this product simply for its editor and it's safe to say that the UI messes with the created levels once you load them. A simple "minimize"-option for the side menu during battles and level creations would do the trick. I'll change my review to a positive one once this gets fixed. Also, I couldn't find the trailer music anywhere in the game so far, which is pretty disapointing. The music in the game itself isn't nearly as good as in the trailer. For those who wanna get this simply because they want to do the data battles again, go for it. EDIT: ....you gotta press M1 to scroll accos the map... *facepalm* I feel satisfied now xD Still the music isn't that great but it works, just sad that I havn't found the trailer music yet, but who knows, maybe I will. Sorry for that earlier review, dear Game Developer <3
• gamedeal user

  Dec 23, 2021

  I randomly remembered "that ancient LEGO Flash-based hacking game" the other week and was delighted to find this gem of a remake! I'm sad that the remake of the original campaign doesn't have the original story included, but understand that including the original story would probably be a big copyright no-no despite the original game being two decades old and only available on archive sites to those willing to figure out a Flash emulator. The only things I would improve are: - Include Steam Workshop or some equivalent for the convenient sharing of levels created with the level editor. - Let the player sell programs back to shops at some reduced value. This way the player doesn't have to scroll through Hack 1.0's and Slingshots that stopped being relevant after the first 8 levels, and the player doesn't have to grind as much to try out strategies like 6 Stone Golems. Even if you didn't play the original game, this is a really solid puzzle game all its own and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys puzzle games such as Hexcells, or RPGs/strategy games with turn-based combat on a grid. The rules are simple, but difficult to master, and it's so satisfying to finally figure out a solution to a puzzle you've been stumped on.
• SpookDuke

  Apr 22, 2023

  I played the original Nightfall Incident that this game was based off of and was looking around for something similar and came across this. While initially put off by the kind of bland look I decided to try it anyways and while it had the general feel from Nightfall incident I feel like it falls short in several spots unfortunately. First the story. I only made it about 20-30 missions in and well, there really isn't much to say about any story. There is no overarching goal, just walls of text describing a vague detail of what the person wants you to do. First it's going into a SSH Server, removing some programs then dealing with various programs most of which can be easily dealt with. My main problem is each node doesn't have some detail, you get one LARGE wall of text then for the next 3-4 maps it's just silence until you're done and move on to the next set of maps/company The programs. Shops seem to be a bit far from each other so it takes awhile before you can get a group of programs that synergize with each other and then you can usually just steamroll most of the encounters until it calls for specific setups like needing to eliminate targets before they move, out ranging them, surrounding and chipping again and aiming over an enemy to hit a more deadly one. By the time I even REACHED the store I could buy every single program and potentially multiple of some. The peak for me was the MultiThread program that could hit the same target twice or hit two different targets . That was pretty cool The art style. Well there isn't much to say, what you see in the preview images is exactly what you get, a background made of grey squares with dots and the playing field. It feels bland, uninspired and a bit rough on the eyes after awhile of just staring at grey backgrounds. A lot of the inspiration though comes from the original though, the blips, eyes, dogs and basic programs seem almost copied with a slight flavor text change. I saw a couple possibly unique programs and looks but it doesn't look like a lot was done to add it's own spin to things. I wasn't really happy with the music. Just 20-30 second basic loops and two of those just seemed to be grating after awhile and I had to turn the music to almost nothing. You get one track and then each different server type has it's own track which is equally short and a bit disappointing.. Until you proceed far enough for it to start reusing tracks again. I'm not saying Nightfall Incident had a great soundtrack by comparison but the little jingles before each level were nice. I didn't mess with the Level Editor but I'm glad one was put in, even the idea of a level editor for these styles of games is nice It's a decent and light on your wallet game, one you'd expect to see on an old flash website or something but it makes me want to dig the classic and play that instead. I am happy that some people may get the chance to experience something like the original but this, I'll call it a re imagining, was just not for me unfortunately.
• gamedeal user

  Jun 14, 2023

  Fantastic turn based tactics puzzler. Many unique units and ways to solve the puzzles your way. Bargain price for the playability. Great intuitive UI, (love the undo feature) and its a ton of fun putting together teams, strategies and crazy ways of getting the mission done. I love games that have solid focus on the game play rather than bling graphics, this is the real deal, highly recommended.
• gamedeal user

  Mar 11, 2021

  Great turn based strategy game. There are lots of unique units. There are many challenging levels. It's single player but would make an excellent vs game.
• gamedeal user

  Mar 13, 2021

  I loved Spybotics: The Nightfall Incident flash game from back in the day and this is a pretty solid remake. All the programs are there plus there are some new ones too which add their own interesting mechanics and twists. Now it does lack the cyberpunk aesthetic that the original had, but if you enjoyed the gameplay of The Nightfall Incident you should enjoy this one as well. There are a few minor differences mechanically, they're not necessarily bad but they did surprise me a little bit. First your programs can now attack allies and themselves, I actually prefer this to the original however just be careful where you click. Second the Bit Man program can't add or remove tiles that contain a program square. Third the pathing that the AI uses is a little different, it's not a big deal and honestly I'm not sure if most people would even notice Now while I prefer the original for music, sound, story and aesthetics there are things that Nightfall Hacker adds that more than make up for it. It has a level editor You can control programs from the keyboard. WASD to move numbers to select an attack. This in and of itself is a pretty big QoL improvement. A suggestion here for the devs if they read this, make space bar select the next available program and if possible make keys re-bindable All the new programs that are added, they add a nice extra layer of strategy. Some are just upgraded versions of old programs but others have new unique mechanics. Overall it's got the same gameplay but enough new and extra things to make it shine above the original.
• gamedeal user

  Mar 15, 2021

  Amazing game that completely captures the feeling I had playing the original many a year a go. Bonus points for including the original games levels as well.
• gamedeal user

  Mar 15, 2021

  Very fun! A faithful recreation of The Nightfall Incident, but I'm glad the game goes the extra mile and includes new maps and units as well. I particularly liked the new Architect, Zombie, and Trojan Horse units
• gamedeal user

  Apr 15, 2021

  I missed out on Spybotics, apparently the game this is based on. For the others who are coming to this game without that background, I would describe this as a turn-based, tactical, digital board-game with a hacking theme. You play as a hacker controlling 1-6, usually 4, programs with ranged, melee, buff, debuff, and other abilities that change the board or teleport programs around the board. Your objective is either to eradicate the other programs or to get one of your programs to a key. Missions can take several attempts as you puzzle out a winning combination and sequence of moves. I've spent over ten hours going through the first campaign and it looks like the second campaign has just as much content. In addition to that, the game includes a level editor for you to setup your own scenarios. If you're on linux, you can get it from canonical's snap store for free. That being said, I think whats on offer is worth the full $10USD. A couple of things I wished for while playing the game: - A turn tracker or initiative indicator for which program goes first. Right now you just need to remember. This is mostly fine, but it would be nice to have the option. - A setting menu to change or view the key bindings.