Hack Trick: It’s Hacking Time (2017) Board Game

Hack Trick: It’s Hacking Time is a card game released in 2017 by designer József Dorsonczky and published by Gém Klub Kft. It is a deduction game that challenges players to outsmart their opponents through hand management and pattern building. With a runtime of 15 minutes, it is designed for 2 players aged 10 and up.

Game Components of Hack Trick: It’s Hacking Time

Game board

Yellow and purple cubes (with one larger cube of each color for a specific variant)

Cards

Tokens for tracking captured opponent pieces

How To Setup Hack Trick: It’s Hacking Time

To set up the game, assemble the board and give one player the yellow cubes and the other player the purple cubes. Shuffle the cards and flip two face-up above the board. Each player receives a set of cards (three for one player, four for the other), and the player with four cards starts by placing a card face-up below the board, beginning a row. Players then announce the sum of the card values in their hands to each other.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Card drawing and playing

Token placement based on card values

Capturing opponent tokens

Optional use of Firewall or Hack actions

Game Objective:

Infect three servers in a line (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally)

Hack the same terminal three times uninterrupted

Alternatively, destroy one server with a triple attack

Player Experience

**Hack Trick: It’s Hacking Time** offers a fast and strategically engaging experience, reminiscent of tic-tac-toe but with additional layers of complexity. Players must manage their card hands carefully, using the sums of card values to place tokens on the board. The game involves tactical decisions, such as forcing opponents to reveal their hand or preventing them from hacking. It is designed for quick matches, making it a great option for a light, fun game.

Pros

Fast gameplay (approximately 15 minutes)

Decently strategic with a mathy and thinky approach

Great for family or casual gaming

Portable and easy to set up

Cons

Theme is not particularly compelling for some players

May not be as portable as some other games (e.g., Button Shy games)

Young players might need to skip the Hack/Firewall actions for simplicity

Personal Thoughts on Hack Trick: It’s Hacking Time

**Hack Trick: It’s Hacking Time** is ideal for players looking for a quick, strategic game that can be played in a short amount of time. It suits families and casual gamers who enjoy a blend of strategy and luck. While the theme might not be the most engaging, the gameplay mechanics make up for it with their depth and simplicity. If you’re seeking a fun, light game for one-on-one matches, **Hack Trick: It’s Hacking Time** is a solid choice.

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