Indie · August 23, 2006
Uplink (2006)
In Uplink, play as a freelance hacker taking on high-stakes contracts. Hack into secure systems, steal data, sabotage rivals, and manipulate evidence. Choose to support factions or go rogue, upgrading your tools and skills with each mission. As you navigate this world of cyber espionage, your choices have lasting consequences, influencing the direction of the story and your place within it. As a freelance hacker, you'll infiltrate high-security systems, steal corporate data, sabotage rivals, and frame others for cybercrimes. Success hinges on mastering tools like password crackers and log modifiers while evading detection by bouncing connections and erasing tracks. In Uplink , progression and upgrades drive your rise from rookie hacker to cyber-espionage expert. Earn credits by completing contracts, then invest in faster CPUs, advanced software, and powerful tools to take on tougher missions. As your skills grow, so do the stakes, creating a thrilling loop of challenge and reward that keeps the gameplay endlessly engaging. Your choices shape the story and the world around you. You can align with rival corporations, support one side, or remain neutral, each path influencing your missions and alliances. Alternatively, you can focus entirely on freelance hacking, building your reputation and wealth. Your decisions lead to different outcomes, making every playthrough unique and ensuring a dynamic, replayable experience. Introversion Software has been developing games since 2001, and stands behind acclaimed titles like Uplink, Defcon, Darwinia, Multiwinia, Prison Architect, Scanner Sombre, and their latest release, The Last Starship. Introversion has garnered both critical and commercial success being recognised with multiple awards including the IGF grand prize for Darwinia and BAFTA for best persistent game (Prison Architect). They have sold more than 4M copies of their games worldwide.
Peer Indie titles
Comparable titles in the same genre and review-volume band — ranked by Steam positive percentage.
Community Tag Signals
Tag weights reflect how many Steam users voted each descriptor — larger pills = stronger consensus.
- Hacking · 295
- Indie · 217
- Strategy · 204
- Singleplayer · 174
- Cyberpunk · 164
- Simulation · 159
- Sci-fi · 155
- Real-Time with Pause · 153
- 2D · 150
- Experimental · 148
- Atmospheric · 146
- Puzzle · 144
- Story Rich · 143
- Programming · 142
- Perma Death · 137
Position in Indie
| Metric | This title | Genre position |
|---|---|---|
| Review volume | 2.4k Steam reviews | Top 87% in Indie |
| Positive rating | 91% positive | Genre average: 87% — this title sits in top 46% |
| Metacritic | 75/100 | Genre average 77 — top 63% of Indie titles |
| Engagement hours | 3 h average | Top 92% for session depth among Indie |
Reception Metrics
Steam community
91%Very Positive · 2.4k reviews
2.1k positive · 212 negative
Metacritic
75/100 critic aggregate
Curator recommendations
1.7k
Press Quotes
75 – Metacritic
Release & Availability
| Release date | Aug 23, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Introversion Software |
| Base price | $2.39 -80% |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Estimated owners | 1M–10M |
| External links | Official site · Metacritic page |
Engagement Profile
All-time avg
3h
brief (under 5 hours)
Median
1h
Typical completion time
More from Introversion Software
Introversion Software has 3 titles indexed — all listed below.
Editions & Packages
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