Before downloading

Have your own supported game files, about 60 GB of build space and an AVX2-capable computer ready. Check the requirements before downloading: the Builder cannot add mesh-shader support to an unsupported GPU.

The checked release is shown below. Releases can change after our review; read the current release notes before proceeding.

Hookshot project mark: a blue hookshot tool with a metal point and chain.
Original Hookshot project markSourceLicense and attribution
Download, build, play: Windows · Linux · Updating

Original tutorial illustration · AI-assisted

Download, build, playSourceLicense and attribution
Text description
  • Windows: HookshotBuilder.exe · Download → Open → Build → Play
  • Linux: .AppImage · chmod +x · Allow execution → Build → Play
  • Updating: Back up saves → launcher Update

Windows: choose the bootstrap EXE

  1. 1

    Open Official GitHub Releases using the button below.

  2. 2

    Under Assets, choose HookshotBuilder.exe. This small bootstrap downloads and checks the rest of Builder, about 500 MB.

  3. 3

    Run it from a writable location with an internet connection. Follow the Windows installation guide once the Builder window opens.

Linux: choose the x86-64 AppImage

GitHub’s Source code ZIP and TAR archives are source checkouts, not the normal ready-to-run Builder download. The .txt assets are update manifests, not installers.

  1. 1

    Select Hookshot-<version>-x86_64.AppImage from the same official release.

  2. 2

    Save it in a permanent location. The AppImage contains the Builder, compiler, libraries and Vulkan renderer.

  3. 3

    Allow execution in your file manager, or run the command in the Linux guide. Keep the AppImage after building: the launcher uses it for updates.

If a download fails

Hookshot remains experimental. The latest release notes describe shader and lighting fixes as well as remaining terrain and floating-tree bugs. No complete-game support is promised.

The download includes no game ROMs, encryption keys or game assets. Supply your own legally obtained files; neither this website nor the official repository distributes them.

  • Check GitHub availability, your internet connection and free space; retry from the official release rather than an unrelated mirror.
  • If the EXE cannot fetch Builder, keep the error text and check current project issues. Avoid combining partially downloaded files with older releases.
  • Investigate antivirus warnings and verify the release source. Do not disable protection globally or run an unverified file.