Uplink: Hacker Elite

It's not a game for everyone: no big graphics, no cinematics or highly polished fps engine. But if you play along, struggle for hacking skills, equipment and observe "the hacking scene", it becomes quite an intense game. I liked the idea of a game that copies the "hollywood approach" to hacking - you know: things like visual routing on planetary maps, jumping from system to system while your programs and tools flash and beep big time. This game introduced Introverse to my little world. Thanks for that, because they are a source for genuine new gameplays.

Phew, I've just returned from my most thrilling game experience. This game "Uplink: Hacker Elite" is pretty unique. You might feel strange for the first time as I did. The game basically formed with console-style looks. There are no beautiful graphical effect or dramatic storyline. Also you have a lot of things to learn. Tutorials are useful, but not fulfill your necessity. If you made a single mistake during your hacking, your connection will be tracked and you will get arrested and game is over. There's no continue system. If you read through this review, you might feel "Oh, this game is not made for everyone." I'm sure it is, but even so the game is seriously addictive. Each hacking progress cost only 5 minutes or so and experiences provided from it are very, very thrilling. I played so many thrilling game, but this, "Upilink:Hacker Elite", is nothing I've seen before. Hacker's world is cruel and tight. There are only 1 and 0. However, a pleasant from success is extreme. So why don't you join us?

If you've ever wanted a simulation of what Hollywood thinks hacking is like, this is the game for you. The ONLY game of it's kind I have heard of, Uplink is a brilliant game. You are the Uplink Corporation's newest employee. Your job is to use your leet hax to do... a lot of stuff, actually. You start off with basic, low-risk file theft and/or sabotage, but move up quickly to things like tracing other hackers, committing fraud, and, if you want to, DESTROYING THE FREAKING INTERNET (This obviously ends the game, though) This game is difficult, but you learn very quickly about what not to do, because if you are arrested or caught, Uplink disavows your actions and you are fired, ending the game and rendering the save file useless. (It displays a status screen when you try to play that character again) Of course, you don't have to do those missions to get ahead. If you're clever, you can get the best computers within a few hours of starting the game by robbing wealthy individuals. (The game will recognize your skills by leveling you up significantly if you do this.) You can even change the main storyline significantly if you kill or arrest the person responsible for starting it before he does so. To sum up, yes this game is worth your time and money.

This game is average and depends on your tastes. If you are a Linux enthusiast and enjoy terminal commands, you might like this game. If you're a DOS enthusiast and actually enjoyed DOS commands, you'll enjoy this game. If you don't fit those categories or if you were born anytime after 1990 then you might not like this game. I'd sincerely suggest going to the publisher website and grabbing/playing the demo. That will let you know just whether this type of text-based game is your thing or not. Honestly, they could've turned this into a MUD or MOO and it could've been better with other opponents that you're hacking. This game uses computer terms very liberally for the sake of artistic license but it gets very old after a while of repeating the same few actions. You can hack banks, hack standard computers, or do LAN hacking. The LAN hacking might bring memories for those of you who played Deus Ex Human Revolution. Guess where Squeenix stole the idea from? :P One star for originality and one star for (intial) thrill and appealing to the specific niche audience for this type of thing. There are many other similar (and better) hacking games out there, but many prefer the simplicity of this one. Up to you. Enjoy :)

Uplink starts with an immersive atmosphere but becomes repetitive. And soon some flaws in the game design appear, like tedious bouncing of connections and clumsy userinterace.