Hack Forward review

Saving the world one hack at a time

Table of Contents

Location: Home

Date Played: June 2024

Team size: 1; recommended 1 - 4 players

Duration: 6 - 8 hours

Price: ~S$100 on their website

Premise

There has been a global hacker attack that has stolen data, video recordings and information from important businesses and personal. Anyone with a smart device can be a target. You will be an investigator whose predecessor disappeared under strange circumstances and who must find those responsible for the leaks. But not everything is as simple as it seems and the safety of the world will come into play.

Components

The game includes 4 envelopes, but there are 8 chapters in total, some of which are entirely digital. The variety of components, from "3D" glasses to UV light and paper-based documents, is impressive. The quality is unexpectedly high, particularly for a game from Key Enigma.

While some components felt gimmicky, they contributed to a sense of wonder and discovery, especially for younger players. The innovative use of these items added a layer of excitement to the experience.

Gameplay

In Hack Forward, you and your team of hackers must uncover who initiated the worldwide cyberattack and prevent global destruction. You'll interact with your fellow hackers and other characters via a chatbot on the game’s website, solving puzzles with both online resources and physical items provided. The chatbot also offers hints and solutions if you get stuck, ensuring a smooth gameplay experience.

Puzzles/Thoughts

➕Innovative Components. The components are engaging and cleverly integrated into the puzzles, providing a delightful sense of discovery.

➕Enjoyable Puzzles. The puzzle design is strong, offering clever challenges that are generally fair and not frustrating. Despite a few less satisfying puzzles, the overall experience remains positive.

➕Engaging Story. The narrative is more streamlined compared to other Key Enigma games, with a few surprising twists that keep players entertained.

➖Lack of Euphoric Moments. While the puzzles are enjoyable, none provide a standout "a-ha" moment. Other games like Curse of the Dark and The Vandermist Dossier offer more memorable puzzle experiences.

Verdict

Hack Forward is a strong recommendation for both beginners and veteran players. It exceeded my expectations, especially given my experiences with Key Enigma’s later games. The game is well worth the price and promises an engaging and challenging adventure. I’m eagerly anticipating trying out Calling Card, the last game from this company I have yet to play.

Rating: 4/5

★★★★✩

You can buy their game here