World of Haiku

The game is good, however not worth full price. The game does teach basic cyber security concepts in a fun way. However it's missing A LOT of content! There are supposed to be 7 chapters to the game. You only get access to ONE. The others say "coming soon". Apparently they've been "coming soon" for a long time. Instead of adding those chapters, the developers added 3 PAID dojo lessons. That's right, add another $21ish to your wallet after buying the full game just to play those. There's no indication for the developers if the 6 other chapters are included in your purchase or you'll have to pay more $$$ for those. Then there's Haiku Pro. A "Try hack me" type service for more that Try Hack me charges. i REALLY like the game and truly want to support them. But at this point, unless it's on sale... DON'T BUY IT!

Could have been great but they essentially used Steam as a test-bed, took people's money, then expected them to pay more through their site for the full experience, and now have de-listed the game from Steam so they can run the online version through their site where they will charge you monthly. What do we get for it? An app we "own" that is no longer supported and a joke of "one free month" to the new online version. So now instead of owning a product and possibly paying for additional content as it comes out, you now can't own it and are forced into a scummy subscription service that is meant to suck as much money out of you as possible by keeping you on their service. This kind of ♥♥♥♥ is getting so tiring. The saying "If digital isn't owning then piracy isn't stealing" is getting truer and truer by the day.

UPDATE: Customer service straight up refuses to answer after calling them out via email and discord. There is NO WAY to play this game on their site. DO NOT BUY THIS PIECE OF ADVERTISEMENT because thats all it is. ubscription based game after purchased for full price. They moved to their own website and all the people that bought the game here on steam get a lousy 1 free month of their subscription. Afterwards you have to pay every month. I bought the product, and now its just a SaaS ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. ♥♥♥♥ this company and their ♥♥♥♥♥♥, rude customer service. Stay away, there are MUCH better titles and websites that i sadly only discoverd much later. tryhackme is one of many. Heres a good summary: https://www.pcgamer.com/this-cyberpunk-rpg-claims-it-teaches-real-hacking-skills-but-i-cant-get-past-the-clown-makeup/

Its fun but... Currently too short of a game to get a recommendation for full price. Currently only volume 1 is playable. And if you have any Linux experience it goes by quickly. Unfortunately the game was over long before we got into anything that advanced. Get a Raspberry pi, or put a Kali VM on your computer instead.

Subscription based game after purchased for full price.

Not only did they delist the game to move to a monthly sub at the same price as you would of paid for the "full game" only a few years after launch. The way they handle memory and state management is poor like so poor I am stuck on a level that even at the easiest difficultly setting and getting hints before being asked if I want to submit a help ticket I can't pass. More on the hint system what kind of hint system only gives you 2-3 hints before asking to submit a help ticket I mean y'all literally created the puzzle and that is what it is an IT puzzle game using an in game CLI based off a Linux system to solve puzzle using actual CLI commands used for cyber security. So tell me how you can't provide the hints enough to solve our puzzle. While a bug/feedback report system is needed it's not in the hint system that is just bad UI/UX and feature functionality. I can't image the enterprise price they are charging to education, businesses, & government companies given that is the reason the stated they delisted from steam and went to a sub type model you can get the same amount of stuff they teach in the same gamification model in bitburner for free or hacker simulator for one price for an actual full game

So - I bought this game on the steam sale for $18.74 and it is *not* worth it. I got to the end of the game in 119 minutes. I like that you use real commands - but the terminal doesn't even recognize or let you autocomplete commands unless the game has unlocked them. This would be more worth it for $5 or $10, unless it has a lot more content added.

An Engaging and Educational Cybersecurity Game with a Disappointing Twist Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) World of Haiku is an exceptional hacking game that offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing players to delve into the world of cybersecurity. While it manages to captivate with its engaging gameplay and educational value, there is a disappointing aspect that tarnishes the overall experience. The game does an excellent job of introducing players to the intricacies of real-world hacking. It distinguishes itself from other hacking games by focusing on teaching practical skills rather than mere entertainment. World of Haiku takes you on a journey from being a novice to feeling like a skilled hacker, as you explore file systems, pivot through servers, and crack password hashes. The initial hand-holding and comprehensive tutorial ensure that even beginners can easily grasp the game's mechanics, making it accessible to anyone interested in cybersecurity. One of the game's standout qualities is its ability to provide a platform for aspiring cybersec professionals to gain familiarity with Linux commands and tools that are commonly used in the field. It's a commendable initiative that caters to the overlapping interests of cybersec students who are also gamers. World of Haiku serves as an excellent starting point to acquire practical knowledge that can be applied in real-world scenarios. The immersive gameplay and well-crafted storyline keep players engaged throughout the campaign. The inclusion of NPCs adds depth and flavor to the narrative, making it feel more than just a series of missions. Accomplishing tasks and receiving in-game badges and achievements offer a sense of satisfaction and encourage players to continue their journey. The absence of a proper ending adds to the list of downsides. Instead of a conclusive finale, players are left with a cliffhanger, giving the game an unfinished, Early Access-like feel. This leaves a lingering sense of incompleteness and prevents players from fully immersing themselves in the game's world. The most significant setback, however, is the semi-hidden subscription service called "Haiku Pro." This service is not advertised, yet it locks away essential features showcased in the game's trailer. Discovering its existence requires navigating to the game's official website and locating the "Get Haiku Pro" button. It's disappointing that players must pay for a subscription to access features like Haiku Job-Connect, which provides the option to update their Linkedin profiles with mastered skills. This marketing scheme feels misleading and detracts from the otherwise enjoyable experience. It would be fairer to have transparently communicated the necessity of a separate subscription for the full package. Despite the disappointment caused by the hidden subscription service, World of Haiku remains an engaging and educational game for cybersecurity enthusiasts. It successfully combines gameplay with practical learning, making it an appealing choice for beginners in the field. However, it falls short of delivering a complete and honest experience due to the external paywall that emerges after purchasing the game on Steam. The game's developers are encouraged to address the concerns raised by players and consider providing clearer information about the subscription service, ensuring a more transparent and fulfilling gaming experience for all.