Indie · August 23, 2006

Uplink (2006)

local_offer-80% current discountgroup1M–10M ownersrecommend1.7k recommendations
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

MetricThis titleGenre position
Review volume2.4k Steam reviewsTop 87% in Indie
Positive rating91% positiveGenre average: 87% — this title sits in top 46%
Metacritic75/100Genre average 77 — top 63% of Indie titles
Engagement hours3 h averageTop 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

Open Metacritic page

Curator recommendations

1.7k

Press Quotes

75 – Metacritic

Release & Availability

Release dateAug 23, 2006
DeveloperIntroversion Software
Base price$2.39 -80%
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux
Estimated owners1M–10M
External linksOfficial 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

  • Buy Uplink