Recompile
Released Aug 2021
This atmospheric, Metroidvania hacking adventure lets you take control of a semi-sapient program struggling against deletion. In the sprawling 3D world of a Mainframe, Recompile features intense combat, tight 3D platforming, super-powered abilities and an environmental logic-based hacking mechanic.
69% positive · 178 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Steam Lowest $1.99 $19.99 −90% IndieGala Steam key Lowest $1.99 $19.99 −90% Green Man Gaming Steam key $2.00 $19.99 −90%
Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
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Evaluation
Recompile launched on August 19, 2021 as a complete, self-contained Metroidvania hacking adventure. Following launch, the developer shipped a handful of patches in the days immediately after release (August 20, 21, and 26, 2021) addressing minor bugs, localization issues, and quality-of-life improvements. No DLC was ever listed, no roadmap or post-launch content was announced, and no expansions have been released. The developer made no statements suggesting additional content was planned beyond the base game.
The only post-launch communication since those early 2021 patches was a security update on October 10, 2025, which addressed a Unity engine vulnerability — a maintenance action that had nothing to do with new content. This is consistent with a studio maintaining the technical integrity of a finished product rather than actively developing new content.
There is no evidence of any post-launch content cycle. Recompile appears to have been designed and shipped as a complete, standalone experience from the outset.
Evidence
No DLC of any kind is listed for this game — no season passes, expansions, or additional content packs.
Store description presents Recompile as a complete, standalone narrative experience with multiple endings. No mention of DLC, expansions, seasons, or planned post-launch content.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Dear Villagers
Achievements
25
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player
About this game
Witness the birth of sapient AI in this sprawling atmospheric hacking adventure.
Combining Metroidvania progression with non-linear exploration and gameplay. Recompile challenges players to explore, fight, hack, and survive. Discover the many secrets beneath ancient digital landscape and prepare for system-wide reconfiguration.
The game’s entire narrative takes place within 1 second of real time.
Delve into the ancient, sprawling ruins of the Mainframe and discover a range of traversal abilities to help you on your journey towards attaining true sapience.
The game has multiple endings based on the players actions; you can repair systems, restore lost data, hack or destroy enemies, all whilst uncovering the truth about the Hypervisor and the original purpose of the Mainframe.
The inhabitants of the Mainframe are strange and diverse, and many are found to be inherently hostile. A full complement of powerful weapons and abilities are available to help you survive, defend and destroy.
Many environmental features, such locked doors, forcefields, elevators and even enemy spawning systems are all powered by intricate, interconnected logic gate circuitry.
Nothing is hardcoded, everything is systemic, and all fully exploitable.
Logic gates can be freely inverted (and reverted), allowing puzzles or other threatening obstacles to be peacefully and safely bypassed. Even the inhabitants themselves can be tampered with, their programming changed to follow the player’s commands.
The story explores everything from machine sentience to the nature of choice.
Life and death. Chaos and determinism. Sentience and sapience. Intelligence exists in many forms. In this dying world, one must explore all possibilities. Observe and respect all perspectives. Only then, can we truly survive.
Games that inspired us:
Axiom Verge, Hollow Knight, Ori and the Blind Forest, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Rime
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 26, 2026
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