Hacker (Walkthrough)
HACKER
- Logon, SRU, Mapping, Mission, Spies, Locations
- Satellites, Spy Requirements, Running Out Of Time
HACKER: Part 1
HACKER, a graphic adventure by Activision, Inc., is a frustrating, maddening challenge. As with most computer games there may be several different ways to solve it. I played the Apple Macintosh version which may differ from other versions of the game. Please consider this walkthru as just one possible solution.
LOGON PLEASE: Type anything -- "Activision", "Hacker"," Help", or just hit the carriage return. You'll be told that you've made an error; but try again. After a few attempts at this, the program will state that you are being disconnected and a lot of garbage will appear on the screen. Don't give up; just wait! There will be a Security System Malfunction then...CONNECTION COMPLETE. WELCOME TO MAGMA, LTD. (Remember the name of the company, for you'll need to know it later.)
After you have learned the location of the test site, you can log on by simply typing in AUSTRALIA. But please don't do this to start with for you will miss a lot of information which you need.
SRU TEST: A drawing of the Subterranean Remote Unit (SRU) will appear on the screen. Model # AX-0310479 available for clandistine operation. (Remember the model number.) You must pass a test on identifying parts of the SRU. Pay close attention and, unless you have a terrific memory, jot down the pertinent data (especially the type of motovator).
MAPPING: A gridded map of the world will appear on the screen with little squares indicating the location of all Magma, LTD. Information Sites in use. The location of your SRU will also appear as a little square. The SRU travels through an intricate system of underground tunnels throughout the world. You should map this tunnel system as accurately as possible so you will know exactly how to get from one location to another in the least amount of time. It's a good idea to jot down the number of sound effects "bleeps" from one location to another on the map because later in the game your Telemetry Guidance System will become inoperative and you will no longer be able to see the location of your SRU. Also, it is through mapping that you will most likely learn the location of the test site.
MISSION: You will learn that some spies have stolen the pieces of a shredded document which contains proprietary information concerning "The Magma Project." Your mission: Use the SRU to negotiate with the spies for the return of all the pieces of the document. You will begin with a standard amount of cash with which you must buy pieces of the document (evidence) or buy merchandise which can be traded for evidence. Some spies will take merchandise which other spies require so you must learn what each spy requires. Buy only the merchandise you need or you will run out of money.
NEGOTIATING WITH SPIES: When you reach an Information Site, you must surface and CALL the spy. CLL is the abbreviation for CALL. If it's dark in a location, you must first activate your Infrared vision. The abbreviation for Infrared is IR. After he is called, the spy will start walking toward you. You can speed things up by traveling east to meet him. He will converse with you in his native tongue. Offer either money or merchandise for his piece of the document. He will offer merchandise for sale; buy it only if you need it.
ORDER OF LOCATIONS: This is the order in which you should negotiate with the spies:
- Switzerland,
- Egypt,
- Greece,
- India,
- New York,
- Japan,
- China,
- Caribbean,
- London,
- San Francisco,
- Washington, D.C.
HACKER: Part 2
SECURITY SATELLITES: Fairly early in the game a security breach is detected and Security Satellites are activated. You can avoid the satellites by surfacing (they can't spot you above ground). However, if you are spotted by a satellite you must respond with the proper password or be terminated. By this time you have been given all the information you need to make the proper responses; but, in case you missed it, the passwords are as follows: Level 1 Security Check (Identify company name), MAGMA, LTD.; Level 2 Security Check (Identify SRU Model Nr.), AX-0310479; Level 3 Security Check (Identify Motovator type), HYDRAULIC; and Level 4 Security Check (location of test site), AUSTRALIA.
SPY REQUIREMENTS: This includes what you should give to each spy and what you should buy from him. (1) Switzerland: trade money for evidence; buy chronograph and deed to Swiss Chalet. (2) Egypt: trade chronograph for evidence; buy scarab and statuette of Tut. (3) Greece: trade statuette of Tut for evidence; buy nothing. (4) India: trade scarab for evidence; buy nothing. (5) New York: trade deed to Swiss Chalet for evidence; buy uncut diamond. (6) Japan: trade diamond for evidence; buy pearls and camera. (7) China: trade pearls for evidence; buy jade carving. (8) Caribbean: trade camera for evidence; buy nothing. (9) London: trade jade carving for evidence; buy Beatles' album. (10) San Fransisco: trade album for evidence; buy nothing. (11) Washington, D.C.: give all evidence to secret agent; reap your reward.
RUNNING OUT OF TIME: I found three things caused me to run out of time: wrong routing, backtracking and surfacing to avoid satellites, and getting lost. If you have worked out the requirements for each spy, have mapped your routes properly, and know the satellite passwords, you should have enough time to complete your mission. If you have done all this but are still running out of time, you should look for a shortcut. The best shortcut is a route from China to the Caribbean that actually (to me) looks longer but saves considerable time. Counting each "bleep" as a move, go south 6 from China to Australia. Then work your way around Australia to the lower edge of the map by going east 4, north 2, east 4, south 2, east 2, south 2, east 2, and south 2. Then move east 12 to the tip of South America. From there it's north 6 to the Caribbean.
THE ENDING: The game has a good ending with lots of praise, a newspaper article, and a printout for you. So stick with it and be a hero!
[Note: Since this walkthru was written, a couple of changes were made in the game. The order of the countries is the same, but the specific item for trading may differ in your version. In addition, the route from California to Washington, D.C. was changed for many machines, and you may need to get closer to the test site. The following route will work in at least two of the new versions: W1, S1, E10, N2, W2, S1, W3. In addition, try to time your long trip west from England to California so the satellite catches you after you are already moving.]
HACKER is published by Activision.
