EXAPUNKS review

EXAPUNKS turns hacking into a programming puzzle. You play a former hacker in 1997 who has caught the phage and makes a deal: one hack, one dose. Each job asks you to write instructions for EXAs, small execution agents that travel through a target's network, copy themselves, trash files and leave without a trace. Zachtronics lists targets from banks and universities to TV stations, highway signs and the government, with the in-game TRASH WORLD NEWS zines doubling as the manual. Steam Leaderboards show how your solutions compare, a battle mode runs your programs against your friends', and a level editor lets you share new networks through Steam Workshop. It costs $19.99, and 96% of 1,382 Steam user reviews are positive, the best share here. It sits third because its puzzles demand real logic and patience, which makes it harder to pick up than Hacknet.

Who it is for

Puzzle fans who enjoy writing compact code to solve hacking jobs

Price

$19.99 one-time purchase on Steam (US store).

There’s nothing left to lose… except your life. $19.99 Buy on Steam
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Program EXAs (EXecution Agents) that move through networks, replicate and delete files
• Hack banks, universities, factories, TV stations, highway signs and the government
• TRASH WORLD NEWS zines teach the hacking rules
• Head-to-head hacker battles that run your programs against friends' programs
• Puzzle editor with Steam Workshop sharing

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: 96% of 1,382 Steam user reviews are positive, the highest share on this list
• Strength: Steam Leaderboards compare your solutions with other players
• Strength: 4 GB RAM and 660 MB of storage on Windows
• Weakness: English is the only listed language
• Weakness: Programming puzzles get hard, so it is not for players who dislike logic
• Weakness: $19.99, twice the price of Hacknet

Key facts

• Developer: Zachtronics
• Publisher: Zachtronics
• Released on Steam: October 22, 2018
• Minimum RAM: 4 GB
• Steam user reviews: 96% positive of 1,382

Where it ranks

EXAPUNKS is No. 3 in our Best Hacker Games verdict.