Players Like...

❤ The Unique Programming Language

The programming language in this game is quite unique and restrictive, featuring only a few dozen commands. This forces players to think creatively to solve the puzzles, as there is often no single "correct" solution. However, the language is still approachable, even for those with little to no programming experience.

❤ Open-Ended Puzzle Design

The open-ended puzzle design allows players to approach challenges in their own way, experimenting and optimizing their code to improve metrics like speed and size. This gives the game a lot of replayability, as players can revisit puzzles to find more efficient solutions.

❤ Parallelization and Multithreading

A key aspect of the gameplay is the ability to create and manage multiple digital agents, called "EXAs," that can work in parallel. Players have to carefully coordinate the actions of these EXAs, using global and local channels to share data and synchronize their movements. This parallelization adds another layer of complexity, as players have to distribute tasks across multiple agents.

❤ Debugging and Optimization

Solving the puzzles often requires a significant amount of debugging and optimization. The game provides visual feedback, allowing players to closely observe how their EXAs behave and make adjustments to their code to fix issues. Optimizing solutions for speed and size adds an additional challenge, as players have to find ways to streamline their code.

❤ Narrative and Immersion

Alongside the core programming puzzles, the game features a compelling cyberpunk narrative and a strong sense of immersion. Printable "zines" (magazines) further enhance the game's cyberpunk aesthetic and help players feel like they are part of the hacker subculture.

❤ Community and Sharing

The game also supports user-created puzzles through the Steam Workshop, and includes competitive "hacker battle" challenges, where players can pit their solutions against each other. This encourages players to not only solve the puzzles but also constantly optimize their code to outperform their friends and other players.