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Watch trailer on Steam ↗HACK.BAK
David Huish · Published by David Huish
Positive — 100% positive (12 reviews) · 11 achievements
Last updated 28 Sept 2026
Hackers have encrypted your data and it's your job to hack them back. Explore a procedurally generated network using an arsenal of terminal commands to find the encryption key.
£2.49
Lowest price we've ever recorded
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Price history
Indie, Simulation, Strategy · 2025 · More under £5 games
Navigate through a dynamic digital landscape, using terminal commands to uncover hidden encryption keys. In HACK.BAK, your skills as a hacker are put to the test in an ever-evolving cyber arena designed by David Huish.
About this game
In HACK.BAK, the group F.I.S.H (Frivolous Information Sealing Hackers) have encrypted your precious data. They've left you the tools you need to find the key, but they're spread across a network of servers, routers, and other devices. Your job is to find the commands, traverse the network, and unlock your data.
Key Features
Terminal-based Gameplay: Enter commands like you would in a linux terminal or windows command prompt. Supports tab-completion and command history.
Procedurally Generated: No two games are exactly alike. The order you'll find the commands and the layout of the network will change with each new game.
Network Size Options: Choose from a small, medium, or large game. The network map doubles in size with each increase.
Decryption Puzzle: Solve a bitmask puzzle to decrypt commands, but if puzzles aren't your thing, feel free to turn it off in the options.
Flexible Control Options: The game is fully controllable using just the keyboard, but that doesn't mean you have to. The game has controller support (native Xbox controller or Steam Input) as well as mouse support (with limited keyboard requirement).
All actions can be performed using the context menu via menu-key (or shift+F10), controller "Context Menu" binding, or mouse right-click.Use your mouse, numpad directional, or controller joystick to navigate the network.
System Requirements
Will my PC run this? →Minimum
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 11
- Processor: 2 Ghz
- Storage: 150 MB available space
Recommended
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
Supported Languages
Latest news
AnnouncementsOfficial
HACK.BAK - The Board Game is now Available!
I'm pleased to announce that I've finished the design on HACK.BAK - The Board Game, and it is now available for order from The Game Crafter.https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/hack.bak-the-board-gameUp to four players can now compete to be the first one to unlock their data. In HACK.BAK - The Board Game, players place tiles and connectors to randomly build the computer network, search for command files, and race to find the elusive data key.Read full article on Community Announcements ([OKYPSO] toom87)Patch NotesOfficial
Halloween Update is Live!
The Halloween update is now available. It includes:New text files to findNew Halloween theme (main menu > options > change theme > halloween):orange colored font3 new music tracks from Captain Lucien (free halloween soundtrack also available)3 new data winning images, 1 for each network sizeRead full article on Community Announcements ([OKYPSO] toom87)Patch NotesOfficial
Patch #2
The following change has been made: Updated intro.txt to better guide new players on how to beginRead full article on Community Announcements ([OKYPSO] toom87)Patch NotesOfficial
Patch #1
The following changes have been made: Default selected line in options menu is now more appropriate Small formatting fix to Credits Changed the wording of help text for cp and decrypt command slightlyRead full article on Community Announcements ([OKYPSO] toom87)AnnouncementsOfficial
HACK.BAK Out Now!
HACK.BAK is now availableFind the commands, traverse the network, and get the key to your precious data.When I started making this a little over a year ago, I wasn't sure I'd be able to stick with it and release on Steam, but here I am, doing just that. Thank you to all my friends who helped test the game and my wife for writing the text for many of the extra files you'll find on your path. An especially big thanks to Captain Lucian for making the music.If you enjoy this little game of mine, I hope you can share it with someone else who does too.-David HuishRead full article on Community Announcements ([OKYPSO] toom87)
