Hack ’95 is a pre-00’s throwback, with you taking on the role of someone working at a software company who needs to hack their way through multiple scenarios to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of one of your friends.
The first thing I noticed with Hack ’95 is that the aesthetic was absolutely perfect; Everything from the pop ups in game, to the floppy disks being handed out at the booth screamed ‘the 90’s’ and really helped to set the tone.
The journey of Hack ’95 will have you snooping through the desktop of one of the Axiom Company’s computers, but will lead you down many different avenues, all in the pursuit of knowledge.
You’ll be met with everything that you could expect from a 90’s era computer. Everything from using a legally distinct mascot of a dog to replace everyone’s favourite paper clip helper, to the feel of an equivalent-to-ancient desktop and OS. It all helps you really get into the nitty gritty of a fully interactive desktop experience.
It is important to mention that without the nostalgia of my childhood being present I’m not sure if I would be as enthralled as I was with Hack ’95 but with me just hitting 30 it seemed to awaken latent memories of using Windows 98 for the first time in school.
Hack ’95 seems to scratch two itches, as it were, with a genuinely interesting mystery as well as a lot of quirks and funny moments to be had to hit you right in the nostalgia and make you realise just how old you are for getting the references. It’s definitely a game to keep a look out for in the near future if you’re yearning for a trip to the past.
At the moment there’s not much information out there about Village Studio’s Hack ’95. We got hands on with it while at PGC: London earlier in the year, where it had a warm reception. I’m sure we’ll find out more soon though.
