Games like EXAPUNKS

96% positive from 1,368 reviewsReleased 2018Steam Deck Playable$19.99

What it is

Open-ended programming puzzle game where you write viruses to hack systems. Features competitive hacking and user-created puzzles.

What players liked

Players praise EXAPUNKS as a challenging yet accessible puzzle game, comparable to Opus Magnum, that teaches programming and problem-solving.

The catch

Rules sit in an external manual you must alt tab to read, and tutorials barely teach.

Why it is here

It is here because it sits in the band this site looks at: well reviewed at 96% positive, but with 1,368 reviews, far fewer than the household names carry.

View EXAPUNKS on Steam

More like this: Puzzle Programming Automation

Six games like EXAPUNKS

TIS-100

97% positive from 2,574 reviews2015Deck Unsupported

A puzzle game where players rewrite assembly code to repair a parallel computer. It features competitive optimization and sandbox creation with an 80s computer manual aesthetic.

What players likedPlayers say it's like old-school programming or puzzles, and they praise its ability to teach assembly language.

The catchThere is no in game tutorial, so learning the system means reading an external manual.

Both are tagged Hacking, Programming and Puzzle.

Games like TIS-100 →

Grey Hack

90% positive from 1,837 reviews2017Deck Playable

Multiplayer hacking simulator with a persistent world. Players use real UNIX commands and exploits to explore and manipulate procedurally generated networks.

What players likedPlayers praise Grey Hack as a realistic hacking sandbox, unlike puzzle games, that teaches systems thinking and red teaming.

The catchSteep learning curve; assumes coding and Linux knowledge

Both are tagged Hacking, Programming and Simulation.

Games like Grey Hack →

The Farmer Was Replaced

95% positive from 3,951 reviews20251% finish itDeck Playable

A programming simulation game where you automate farming with Python-like code. The core loop involves writing scripts to manage resources and unlock technology.

What players likedPlayers praise it as a fun, satisfying, and addictive programming puzzle game, akin to learning Python fundamentals with visual feedback.

The catchquickly turns into an idle waiting game

Both are tagged Programming, Automation and Puzzle.

Games like The Farmer Was Replaced →

Opus Magnum

97% positive from 3,557 reviews201714% finish itDeck Playable

Opus Magnum is an open-ended puzzle game where players design alchemical machines. It features a core loop of programming arms and tracks to transmute elements, offering a challenging and creative experience.

What players likedPlayers praise this Zachtronics game as a programming-like puzzle experience with endless optimization and high replayability.

The catchThe editor lacks copy-paste and step-by-step rewind, making solutions tedious to debug.

Both are tagged Programming, Automation and Puzzle.

Games like Opus Magnum →

SHENZHEN I/O

95% positive from 2,229 reviews20162% finish itDeck Playable

A circuit design and assembly programming puzzle game. Players build and code devices with a challenging, technical feel.

What players likedPlayers praise the challenging, satisfying puzzles and the engaging solitaire minigame, reminiscent of real-world engineering.

The catchThere is no in-game tutorial, just a 47 page PDF manual you must read first.

Both are tagged Programming, Automation and Puzzle.

Games like SHENZHEN I/O →

Infinifactory

95% positive from 1,789 reviews20152% finish itDeck Playable

A 3D first-person factory building sandbox puzzle game. Players design and optimize assembly lines for alien overlords.

The catchLater puzzles grow long and tedious rather than cleverer

Both are tagged Programming, Automation and Puzzle.

Games like Infinifactory →

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