Info about Code 7: A Story-Driven Hacking Adventure:

Official game description:
Follow Development
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About the Game
==============
**Play Episode 0 for free!**  
**  
**Trigger Warnings: Torture, Death, Misgender.**  
_This is an episodic game and doesn't feature all the episodes, yet. The season pass includes all five episodes. Every episode will be available for download upon release._**  
What would you do if you found yourself trapped on an eerie space station with nothing but a computer? Play as the hacker Alex and save the world from your keyboard as a sinister A.I. rises from the corner of the universe... but you are not the only one who acts from the shadows. Monsters lurk in the dark and soon humanity itself is in danger. When analog and digital worlds collide, only a master of both can survive.  
Code 7 is a hacking thriller in which your imagination is the stage. The things unseen are the most terrifying ones... travel the network, gather information from e-mails, documents, and logs, hack protected computers, and navigate your partner through dangerous situations. Work together, gain their trust and make the right choices. The outcome of the story is determined by how you act and what you say.  
Episode 0: **Released**  
Episode 1: **Released**  
Episode 2: **Released**  
Episode 3: **Released**  
Episode 4: In Development
Key Features:
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*   Theatrical Drama:
    -----------------
    Fully voiced dialogue, music, and sound effects  
*   Be a Hacker:
    ------------
    Use the terminal-based LupOS system and hacking techniques like Man-in-the-Middle Attack, Brute Force Attack, Network Jamming and more  
*   Power of Words:
    ---------------
    Beware what you answer and the choices you make, they will determine the course of the last episode
The game includes a mode for visually impaired players.

Release date: Aug 11, 2017

Categories: Point-and-click Adventure, Hacking Gameplay, Interactive Fiction, Terminal-based Gameplay, Episodic Structure, Choice-based Narrative, Puzzle Solving, Voice Acting


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews show mixed but mostly value-based price sentiment. Positive comments say the game is worth the money and worth the price of admission, while one reviewer explicitly rejects the current asking price as too high. Another translated review praises the good price. This suggests the community sees fair value in a moderate indie episodic-adventure range rather than a premium price, with the upper bound held below the criticized current asking price. The free Chapter 0 mention also supports a try-before-buy expectation, not a high base-game price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: 5.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The only concrete story playtime is the reviewer's Episode 0 (~1.5 hours) plus Episode 1 (~3.5 hours), totaling about 5 hours for those two episodes. This supports a partial storyCompletion estimate of 5 hours for the Episodes 0-1 story segment, while another report shows Episode 0 can be under 1 hour. No review gives hours for completing the full game, so gameCompletion is null. No explicit single-session duration is reported, so sessionLength is null. Replay/achievement comments and the 'finished the game' note do not provide endgame hours, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: One player was hooked within 10 minutes of test play, supported by intuitive controls and a non-forced in-game tutorial, but other reports mention slow or harder puzzle sections and a ragged, boring new episode.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Test playing at a games fair
  - Time to anchor: 0h 10m
  - Friction: Some sequences, especially puzzles, are slow or harder to complete; A new episode feels ragged and boring
  - Unlock drivers: Results and choice-driven story progression make slow or harder puzzle sections worth it
  - Conditions: Enjoyment begins quickly when controls are intuitive and an in-game tutorial is not forced; Slow or harder puzzle sequences can delay enjoyment unless the story and choice payoff feels worth it; A ragged, boring new episode can prevent enjoyment
- Player Archetypes:
  - Sci-Fi Story Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience a compelling, philosophical sci-fi narrative.
    - Playstyle: Reading-driven exploration of story and dialogue, with hacking and adventure puzzles.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Reflex Hacking Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: Fast-paced hacking challenges in a sci-fi setting.
    - Playstyle: Quick-reflex hacking, puzzle solving, and text-based interface actions.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Game Designer Learner (buy)
    - Motivation: Learning game design principles from an exemplary indie title.
    - Playstyle: Analytical observation of mechanics, structure, and design choices.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: gamedev
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Abandonware-Averse Value Buyer (no buy)
    - Motivation: To get a complete, supported game that justifies its episodic price.
    - Playstyle: Cautious evaluation of a game's lifecycle and value before committing.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Impressive voice acting (weight 0.87): Many players highlight voice acting as a standout feature that enhances immersion and elevates the genre. Feedback consistently praises the talent and convincing performances.
- Strong story praised (weight 0.79): Reviewers frequently describe the story as good, great, or compelling. It draws players in and keeps them intrigued.
- Text adventure modernization (weight 0.47): The game is seen as a successful modernization of classic text adventures, combining old-school charm with modern presentation and conveniences.
- Engaging and fun puzzles (weight 0.4): Players find the puzzles interesting, fun, and appropriately challenging without being frustrating. They make players think while remaining accessible.
- Excellent music (weight 0.3): Music is frequently praised as incredibly good, perfect, and fitting the situations well. It adds to the overall experience.
- Appealing gameplay (weight 0.29): The gameplay is described as engaging, cool, and very fun. It is a key positive aspect mentioned by multiple reviewers.
- Hacking puzzle game appeal (weight 0.19): The game's hacking theme and intricate plot are highlighted as enjoyable. It is compared favorably to Hacknet and classic text adventures.
- Great visuals (weight 0.13): Visuals are described as great and detailed where necessary. They complement the text adventure format nicely.
- Well-executed concept (weight 0.12): The game's concept is considered really good and incredibly well executed. The execution matches the strong idea.

Common complaints:
- Unfinished game and missing episodes (weight 0.66): The game is incomplete, with Episode 4 still not released and marked as 'To be announced'. Many players express frustration that the game was sold without disclosure of its unfinished state.
- Command line interface clunky (weight 0.62): The text-based control system is confusing, wonky, and slow to get used to. Typing fast under time pressure is frustrating, and the interface can hinder during hectic moments.
- Save system causes progress loss (weight 0.48): Multiple users report that progress resets randomly, autosave fails, and the single save file can become corrupted. Players resort to manual backups and careful playthroughs to avoid losing progress.
- Repetitive and grindy gameplay (weight 0.48): Many find the game dragged out, repetitive, and grindy, with slow character movement and tedious navigation. Some sequences, especially puzzles, feel slow or unnecessarily hard.
- Hacking not realistic or deep (weight 0.42): Players criticize the hacking mechanics as not resembling actual hacking and being too light. Puzzles are often too easy, and the game feels more action-oriented than expected.
- Story and writing criticized (weight 0.41): The story is seen as cliché, with unnecessary choices and insufficient information for decisions. Some sequences, like the chaotic climax of Episode 3, are poorly executed.
- No updates or developer abandonment (weight 0.36): The developer has not provided updates in over three years, leading players to believe the game has been abandoned. This lack of communication exacerbates feelings of being scammed.
- Voice acting quality issues (weight 0.33): Voice acting is described as okayish, sometimes ruining immersion, with occasional cutting issues and unconvincing shouts. There is also no option to turn off voice acting.
- Technical bugs and glitches (weight 0.25): Occasional bugginess, including minor bugs and progress-blocking issues, requires restarts. Some bugs are fixed by re-entering, but others persist.
- Timed challenges too difficult (weight 0.25): Time-based puzzles and hacking challenges are very hard to beat on the first try, with some timed sequences being frustratingly difficult.
- Poor guidance and information (weight 0.19): There is a lack of in-game tips and online guidance, making it easy to get lost with new characters. Players also find it tedious to look up information without a note-taking feature.
- Limited language support (weight 0.14): All text is only in English or German, with no other language support. The programming part is not translated, requiring English proficiency or a dictionary.
- Retro aesthetics too anachronistic (weight 0.13): The 80s style with pixelated fonts and scanlines feels out of place for a 22nd century setting. Graphics are quite limited overall.
- Character and plot issues (weight 0.13): A character named Zoya the Boya is disliked, and an email about gender and robot rights was unpalatable to some. The game is perceived as participating in the 2017 'snowflake zeitgeist'.
- Additional episodes cost extra (weight 0.08): Other episodes are not included in the initial purchase and must be bought separately. This is seen as a negative practice, especially given the game's unfinished state.
- Not worth the price (weight 0.08): Given the unfinished state and lack of updates, many feel the game is not worth the current asking price.
- Lack of difficulty options (weight 0.08): The game does not offer a way to change difficulty, which can be frustrating for players struggling with timed sections or command-line challenges.

Gameplay feedback:
- Hacking theme and mechanics (weight 0.97): The core gameplay revolves around hacking, with players breaking into systems and solving puzzles using various skills. It's often described as a hacking simulation blended with narrative and puzzle elements.
- Text-based controls and adventure (weight 0.88): The game is fundamentally a text adventure, with players typing commands to progress. Reviews consistently describe it as a text-based game, some mentioning a hybrid style with graphics and an intelligent interface.
- Episodic release structure (weight 0.76): The game is released in episodes, with multiple clusters noting the episode-based structure. Some mention specific episodes (e.g., Episode 0 is free, Episodes 0-3 released, Episode 4 not out), indicating ongoing development.
- Choices influence story (weight 0.35): Player decisions significantly affect the narrative and game progression. Reviews highlight that choices have consequences and modify the story, making it a decision-based experience.
- Puzzle solving involved (weight 0.34): The game includes various puzzles, some involving programming or logical thinking. Reviews mention that puzzles are integral to the hacking gameplay and require problem-solving skills.
- Voice acting and audio (weight 0.25): The game features full voice acting and audio logs, as described by the Kickstarter. Reviews appreciate the voice acted dialogue and audio logs, enhancing the immersive experience.
- Mini-games add variety (weight 0.14): The game incorporates mini-games, some with demanding tasks, providing additional gameplay variety. These mini-games are part of the hacking challenges or story progression.
- Keyboard-only controls (weight 0.13): The game is designed for keyboard-only control, aligning with its text-based nature. This control scheme is noted in reviews as a key feature.
- Classic text adventure elements (weight 0.13): The game mixes classic text adventure elements with modern design, appealing to fans of traditional text adventures while offering a contemporary twist.

Performance notes:
- Smooth graphics, no glitches (weight 0.08): Players report that the graphics run smoothly and quickly, with no graphical glitches observed.
- Runs well on low-end hardware (weight 0.08): The game performs well even on low-end hardware configurations, such as GeForce 930M 2GB, i5-5200U, and 8GB RAM.

Recommendations:
- Strong overall recommendation (weight 0.41): Many clusters contain broad positive recommendations without major caveats, often calling it thoroughly recommended or a great experience. This is the dominant sentiment across the input.
- Great for Hacknet fans (weight 0.32): Multiple clusters explicitly recommend the game to players who enjoyed Hacknet or similar sci-fi hacking titles. It is frequently described as a natural fit for that audience.
- Good value and pricing (weight 0.3): Some clusters say the game is worth the money or worth the asking price, while others caution that it is not worth the current asking price. Pricing opinions are mixed but present.
- Positive episodic structure (weight 0.3): Some reviewers appreciate the episodic format and look forward to future episodes. The free Episode 0 and demo are also recommended as a way to try before buying.
- Positive but conditional recommendation (weight 0.3): Several clusters recommend the game only if players meet certain conditions, such as liking this type of game or not being put off by reading. The recommendation is positive but not unconditional.
- Appeals to text adventure fans (weight 0.27): Several clusters recommend the game to players who enjoy text adventures, interactive fiction, or story-heavy experiences. It is positioned as a strong entry in that niche.
- Strong sci-fi story emphasis (weight 0.21): Reviewers highlight the sci-fi setting, emotional character moments, and a story that rewards players who enjoy questioning everything. Comparisons to Life is Strange suggest a narrative-driven appeal.
- Accessible to non-programmers (weight 0.21): Reviewers note that the game is light on actual programming and does not expect players to be real programmers. Basic typing speed or tab autocomplete is sufficient for the hacking sections.
- English or dictionary helpful (weight 0.21): Several clusters mention that English knowledge is desirable, especially because some programming-related parts remain untranslated. Players without strong English may need a dictionary.
- Recommended for hacking and CLI (weight 0.2): A few clusters specifically recommend the game to fans of hacking and command-line interfaces. This niche audience is repeatedly called out as the ideal target.
- Negative due to abandonment (weight 0.2): Some reviewers do not recommend the game because they feel it has been abandoned or because they advise avoiding it entirely. These negative opinions are a small but notable minority.
- Keyboard-only adventure appeal (weight 0.14): Some reviewers recommend the game to adventure fans who do not mind playing exclusively with a keyboard. Fast reflexes and typing are mentioned as helpful but not mandatory.
- Support the developers (weight 0.13): A couple of clusters encourage purchasing the game to support the developers, especially to help them get back on their feet. This is a smaller but distinct positive theme.

Other player notes:
- Four Episodes Planned (weight 0.46): The game has four episodes (0-3) planned, with episode 4 as the final installment. Episode 4 is marked as 'To be announced'.
- Comparisons to Other Games (weight 0.32): The game is reminiscent of Inscryption and ShadowRun. It is also compared to Hacknet in terms of immersion.
- Free Episode 0 Demo (weight 0.26): Episode 0 is available for free as a demo. This provides a free entry point to the game.
- Episode Release Schedule (weight 0.25): Episodes are released periodically, with developers planning releases spaced around 6 months apart. If the schedule holds, the final episode would be close to 2 years away.
- Accessibility for Blind Users (weight 0.22): The game includes an accessibility mode for blind and visually impaired players. It is fully accessible to blind and low vision computer users.
- Episodes 0 and 1 Only (weight 0.21): Only episodes 0 and 1 are currently available. The prologue and Episode 1 are available at the time of review.
- Future Episodes Planned (weight 0.21): Upcoming episodes are planned, with episodic content continuing. Additional episodes are awaited.
- Engaging Story and Universe (weight 0.21): Episodes 0 and 1 hold an amazing universe full of characters and lore. The plot involves evil AI, Mars settlement, and virus Code 7.
- Kickstarter Crowdfunding Success (weight 0.2): The game was funded via Kickstarter, a successful crowdfunding campaign. Backers supported its development.
- Season Pass Available (weight 0.19): A season pass is available for purchase. It provides normal value for a solid text quest.
- Episode 4 Development Uncertain (weight 0.15): The last episode may never be released. Episode 4 is on hold due to developers running out of money and the COVID situation.
- Final Episode in Development (weight 0.15): The fifth installment (episode 4) is well into development. The game is currently unfinished with one more episode left.
- Episode Lengths (weight 0.15): Episode 0 took about 1.5 hours to play cautiously. Episode 1 took an additional 3.5 hours.
- Minimalist Visual Style (weight 0.14): The game's simple graphics give it a minimalist visual style. It also has a minimalist interface.
- Developer Support and Passion (weight 0.14): The developers are passionate and deserve support. They actively monitor issue reports and fix bugs quickly.
- English Language Requirement (weight 0.13): Knowledge of English is desirable. The game is in English and likely won't be translated.
- Chapter 4 Delayed (weight 0.09): The game's Chapter 4 has been unfinished for an extended period. It has been delayed significantly.
- Low Price Point (weight 0.08): The game is sold for a low price. This makes it accessible to a wide audience.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.1): Players are deeply disappointed that the game remains unfinished, with Chapter 4 never released and the project seemingly abandoned without disclosure. Additionally, issues like mediocre voice acting, repetitive and boring Episode 2, and unmet expectations for deeper hacking mechanics contribute to this feeling.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Players derive enjoyment from the game's compelling story, engaging hacking gameplay, and excellent music and voice acting. The easy-to-follow gameplay and fun references also add to the overall enjoyable experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.09): Excitement stems from the game's intense storyline, shocking episode endings, and the feeling of being a hacker. Accessibility features and the anticipation of future episodes further fuel this excitement.
- Frustration (weight 0.08): Frustration arises from the long wait for Chapter 4, repeated resets due to save system failures, and difficult timed sequences that require precise typing. Insufficient information for decisions and clunky UI also contribute.
- Anticipation (weight 0.07): Players are eagerly anticipating the release of upcoming episodes, especially Episode 4, and are looking forward to plot twists and the continuation of the story.
- Immersion (weight 0.07): Immersion is driven by the game's detailed visuals, voice acting, and atmospheric storytelling that makes players forget they are not real hackers. The integration of mechanics into the narrative enhances the immersive experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the blind-friendly mode, high-quality soundtrack and voice acting, and the detailed presentation in a text-based game. The game's ambiance and return to old text style are also valued.
- Tension (weight 0.04): Tension is created by the game's suspenseful story, nerve-wracking moments, and superb sound effects that signal impending danger. The atmospheric storytelling keeps players on edge.
- Love (weight 0.04): Players love the game for its brilliant storytelling, immersive text-based sci-fi hacking gameplay, and incredible voice acting. Special scripting levels and well-realized narration also foster deep affection.
- Captivation (weight 0.03): Captivation comes from a completely engaging story, unique atmosphere, and storytelling that makes players lose track of time and drives them to keep playing.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Satisfaction is felt from solving challenging puzzles, experiencing story twists, and the rewarding effort. The game's performance on low-end hardware and value for price also contribute.
- Happiness (weight 0.02): Happiness results from the inclusion of a mode for blind users, trying a game in a genre with few good titles, and a positive experience backing the game.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope is expressed that Episode 4 will provide a great conclusion to Code 7 and that the mysteries will be resolved satisfactorily. Players also hope for sooner releases.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is sparked by the game offering something new and the developers' cool ideas that hook players into the story.
- Impatience (weight 0.01): Impatience is caused by delays in releasing Episode 4 and episodes not coming out fast enough.
- Impressed (weight 0.01): Players are impressed that a text adventure works well in 2019, engaging them despite initial doubts.
- Amazement (weight 0.01): Amazement stems from the combination of text controls, story, and puzzles, with storytelling and ambience comparable to AAA titles.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom is caused by Episode 2's low quality and gameplay that felt grindy and repetitive.
- Betrayal (weight 0.01): Betrayal is felt because the developer took season pass money and did not finish the game.
- Annoyed (weight 0.01): Annoyance arises from progress resets and save system failures.}