- Welcome to Neoseeker's Hacker Evolution Guide!
What this guide offers:
- Walkthrough for Hacker Evolution, Reinsertion Pack, Hardcore DLCs and Operation Electrosphere
- Some information about every server
- Some tips to play the game
Introduction
Hacker Evolution is a hacking simulation game, where you're playing retired hacker and engineer Brian Spencer, hired to solve a mystery. The game was developed by exosyphen and was released on PocketPC, PC, Mac and Linux. It has spawned a series since, with a major overhaul with Hacker Evolution Duality.
It has also been re-released in 2019 under the name Hacker Evolution - 2019 HD Remaster.
Gameplay
The gameplay is mainly centered around a command prompt. Typing help will show you the list of existing commands. However, you can be detected if you don't pay attention and you have also a trace level that once equal or above 100% means game over.
To help you decrease time to hack and to force your way through very secure levels, you can buy better hardware. Money is earned through hacking servers that are hosting it and transferring it to your own.
Be also aware that if you leave a level in the middle of solving it, you will have to restart it the next time. The game is only saving between two levels and you don't have a choice in the slot: each save for a profile will overwrite the same file.
- Original Game
- 2019 HD Remaster
Main commands
Original Game
2019 HD Remaster
Here's the list of main commands you may use during the course of the game.
- scan [hostname]: Reveals hidden servers (often discovered in files)
- crack [hostname] [port number]: Cracks a specific port on a server. Indicating no port number suppose that you're trying to enter the standard one, which is 80. However, when you have the password or an exploid for a port, you don't need this command. This action can require bouncing through hacked servers or better hardware to avoid detection because of the password length (from 4 characters to 64).
- exec [filename] [hostname]: Uses an exploit to crack a specific port for a server. Leaves less trace than a crack command.
- login [hostname] [password]: When you have a password, use that method instead of the crack command, as it leaves less trace than it.
- decrypt [hostname]: Decrypts a server protected by a key. This action can require bouncing through hacked servers or better hardware to avoid detection because of the key encryption (can go from 128 bits to higher levels, like 9192 bits though that number is only encountered once).
- killtrace: Removes 10% of the trace level for $500.
- connect [hostname] [port number]: How you connect to server normally, when it's no more encrypted (or not encrypted from the start) and when the port number is no more protected (or not protected from the start).
- logout: Log you out of a server.
- bounce [hostname]: Adds or removes a server to add more time for decryption or cracking or even transfer. A server can only be use if totally cracked and hacked. Also, it can be only used three times. That command can be replaced by clicking the server on the map.
- ls: Shows every file stored on the port of the server.
- cat [filename]: Shows the content of a file (very useful to find new servers, passwords or other clues).
- transfer [amount]: Transfer money from the server, if it contains some.
- download [filename]: Downloads a file from the server you're connected to your local host.
- upload [filename]: Uploads a file from your local host to the server you're connected to.
- del [filename]: Deletes a file from the server you're connected to (well from the current port if there is more than one) or from your local host.
- abort: Stops the previous action if you feel like you're going to add too much trace level.
- upgrade [code]: Upgrade hardware against money. The command alone will bring the list of hardware and their cost.
- downgrade [code]: Downgrade hardware and gives you money. The command alone will bring the list of hardware. Using downgrade all will sell everything. You will only retrieve 90% of the initial value .
- clear: Removes everything from the command prompt.
Also, here are some tips:
- Use tab for an autocomplete of a command or a server
- Use Up Arrow or PAGEUP to retrieve previous commands
- SHIFT + - to make an _ (if you don't manage to do it normally)
Trace level
As already stated, reaching 100% or more will end the game. It is important for you to double check every action as once you're stuck in a level, you have to play the level either from the beginning or even from the first level in some case (it can happen in Operation Electrosphere).
You can still get away by using a cheat code though.
However, here is the trace level gained if you execute some command.
| Command | % | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| scan | 1% | Only if a server isn't already on the map |
| exec | 1% | Only if it results in a success |
| login | 1% | Each attempt of login whether it is a success or a failure |
| transfer | 3% | Only if the money is successfully transfered |
| decrypt | 5% | Only if decryption is successful |
| crack | 10% | Only if the cracking is successful |
| / | 50% | If you're traced - use abort to avoid this |
| killtrace | -10% | Costs $500 |
Hardware
Hardware can be really useful: it helps for the tracetime, apart for the memory.
- Original game
CPU: Increases the speed to crack and decrypt servers. If anything, it is the most important hardware.
| Type | Price | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ghz CPU | $2,000 | cpu0 |
| 2 Ghz CPU | $4,000 | cpu1 |
| 4 Ghz CPU | $8,000 | cpu2 |
| 8 Ghz CPU | $16,000 | cpu3 |
Memory: It's the space you have on your local host for files. No need to upgrade it unless it's needed.
| Type | Price | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Gb Qram | $2,000 | mem0 |
| 2 Gb Qram | $3,000 | mem1 |
| 4 Gb Qram | $4,000 | mem2 |
| 8 Gb Qram | $5,000 | mem3 |
Firewall: Slows the trace and increases the time you're allowed. The level 1 is enough for the entire game.
| Type | Price | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 firewall | $2,000 | fwl1 |
| Class 2 firewall | $3,000 | fwl2 |
| Class 3 firewall | $5,000 | fwl3 |
Modem: Increase the speed of transfer (money). Upgrading this will allow more money in one transfer.
| Type | Price | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Mbps Modem | $2,000 | mdm1 |
| 4 Mbps Modem | $3,000 | mdm2 |
| 8 Mbps Modem | $4,000 | mdm3 |
Neural Network Adapter: Expensive chip that doubles everything. No need to buy it for the game but you can still acquire it through cheating.
| Type | Price | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Neural Network Adapter | $50,000 | nna |
- Reinsertion Skin
- 2019 HD Remaster
Score
There is a score system but in-game, I didn't really pay attention to. However, at the end of a level, you can gain more points
- If you solve a level under less than 30 minutes
- If you find every server
- If you've enabled the dynamic difficulty
- If you've finished a level with a trace level of 0%
Original Game
2019 HD Remaster
Difficulty
You have the normal difficulty and a dynamic difficulty, which increase difficulty on some servers. However, many players stayed on the normal one. This walkthrough was done for the normal mode.
Cheats
WARNING
Cheating is resetting your score to 0!
More information
There is a great guide on Steam, with formulas, that is more detailed than I'm explaining here: Hacker Evolution Tips and Primer By Comrade St. Nikolai
Warning
I'm a fan of killtrace. I may have used them where it wasn't needed for this solution. However, if it had worked for me, it should work for you.
I used cheats to hack every server for getting every detail, though I had also a clean profile for the walkthrough as you're not forced to hack every of them.
I'm also using screenshots which are years old and may indicate a build that have been updated since. However, there is no real change in graphics.
Last but not least, the default skin is the orange one, however, I largerly prefer the Reinsertion skin, which is darker. If there is a difference in screenshots, it's only because of that.
