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About EXAPUNKS
EXAPUNKS places you in a 1997 world where a former hacker trades a single hack for a life‑saving dose of phage. The narrative is delivered through the underground magazine TRASH WORLD NEWS, which supplies background, tutorials, and commentary.
You write low‑level code for tiny agents called EXAs, sending them into varied systems—banks, factories, TV stations, even your own body. An integrated level editor lets you create custom networks and share them via Steam Workshop.
01 / THE GUIDE
Story Setting
The premise is set in 1997, where you once were a hacker but now depend on the phage. Each successful intrusion can earn another dose, making every hack a matter of survival. The story unfolds through in‑game zines that frame your desperate quest.
TRASH WORLD NEWS, the underground computer magazine, provides tutorials, hacking tips, secret information, and commentary. These pages give context for the targets you attack and hint at strategies without prescribing exact solutions.
- Read the early zine entries to understand the world’s tone and locate useful hacking concepts.
- Notice narrative cues; they often suggest which systems may yield the most rewarding hacks.
02 / THE GUIDE
Programming EXAs
You program EXecution Agents (EXAs) to replicate, delete files, or terminate other EXAs. The language is minimalist, focusing on low‑level instructions that run each cycle, so every command directly impacts performance.
Efficiency matters because the game tracks cycles used by each EXA. Shorter, well‑ordered programs finish faster, helping you meet puzzle requirements.
- Keep code concise; fewer instructions usually mean fewer cycles.
- Test small code snippets in isolated networks before deploying them to larger targets.
03 / THE GUIDE
Hack Targets
The game offers a wide array of systems to infiltrate: banks, universities, factories, TV stations, highway signs, game consoles, government databases, and even your own body. Each target presents its own constraints and rewards.
Target choice influences the complexity of the required EXA program. Some networks need simple replication, while others demand more sophisticated data‑wiping or multi‑step navigation.
- Start with simpler targets like banks to learn basic replication before tackling more complex systems.
- Use hints from TRASH WORLD NEWS to prioritize high‑risk targets that align with your current skill level.
04 / THE GUIDE
Slack‑Off Activities
Beyond core puzzles, the game includes optional mini‑games such as ПАСЬЯНС and HACK*MATCH. These are accessed by hacking specific servers or region‑locked discs, offering a diversion from the main storyline.
Each mini‑game presents its own set of rules and objectives, letting you experiment with EXA code in a less constrained environment while still counting cycles.
- Try the mini‑games after completing a few main puzzles to see alternative uses for your EXAs.
- Observe how cycle counts differ in these activities; they can reveal hidden efficiencies.
05 / THE GUIDE
User‑Created Content
EXAPUNKS includes a level editor that lets you design custom networks for EXAs to hack. These creations can be uploaded to the Steam Workshop, where the community can download and solve them.
Sharing puzzles extends replayability beyond the built‑in scenarios and allows you to see how other players structure challenges, offering insight into alternative design approaches.
- When building a puzzle, define a clear objective for the EXAs before adding complexity.
- Test your own level in a fresh game session to ensure it is solvable without unintended shortcuts.
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