Uplink similar games & best alternatives

Uplink

Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Android, iOS • 2006

Should you play it?

Uplink lets you play as a freelance hacker tackling risky contracts for corporations. Break into systems, steal data, sabotage rivals, and upgrade your gear. Support factions or go rogue in this immersive, strategy-driven hacking simulation game where your choices shape the outcome.

What works
  • Immersive hacking fantasy
  • High player autonomy and creativity
  • Challenging and strategic gameplay
  • Strong replayability with mods
  • Engaging soundtrack and atmosphere
Things to keep in mind
  • Dated graphics and interface
  • Steep learning curve
  • Permadeath can be frustrating
  • Limited social interaction
  • Some repetitive tasks

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Duskers

  • NITE Team 4 - Military Hacking Division

  • Creeper World: Anniversary Edition

  • Anonymous Hacker Simulator

  • Baldi's Basics Plus

  • Infectonator 3: Apocalypse

  • Ultimate Custom Night

  • GALAK-Z

  • Defense Grid: The Awakening

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Creeper World: Anniversary Edition

  • Desktop Dungeons: Rewind

  • Swarm Queen

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Uplink: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Status, Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    5

    "Players have full freedom to choose their approach, weapons, disguises, and methods to complete missions."

    Capsule for Hitman: Blood Money Hitman: Blood Money

    "Players have full freedom to choose missions, methods, and strategies with no fixed questlines."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "Game requires skillful timing and mastery of keyboard or mouse controls, with a steep learning curve noted by many players."

    Capsule for Frederic: Resurrection of Music Director's Cut Frederic: Resurrection of Music Director's Cut

    "Requires skillful use of hacking tools, timing, and resource management; players feel effective when mastering these."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    1

    "Some leaderboard and ranking elements exist but competition is not the main focus; players mostly engage at their own pace."

    Capsule for Rhythm Sprout: Sick Beats & Bad Sweets Rhythm Sprout: Sick Beats & Bad Sweets

    "Some leaderboard and ranking elements exist but competition is not the main focus."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players engage in long sessions with progression and replayability, though some find content limited and repetitive over time."

    Capsule for Void Crew Void Crew

    "Players engage in long sessions with repeated playthroughs and modded content extending longevity."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -4

    "Gameplay is primarily single-player with minimal cooperative or team-based elements."

    Capsule for Bully: Scholarship Edition Bully: Scholarship Edition

    "Gameplay is primarily single-player and independent; minimal cooperative elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Players use creative traversal abilities and hacking mechanics; game encourages experimentation with powers and exploration."

    Capsule for Axiom Verge 2 Axiom Verge 2

    "Players experiment with different hacking approaches, routing paths, and strategies."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

    "Interactions are generally equal and cooperative; no emphasis on dominance or power over others."

    Capsule for RetroArch RetroArch

    "Interactions are mostly equal and indirect; no direct domination or power over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Immersive hacking fantasy provides a strong escape from real life stress and routine."

    Capsule for Hacknet Hacknet

    "Immersive hacking experience provides strong escape from real life stress and routines."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and curiosity, not obligation."

    Capsule for The Room The Room

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and curiosity, not obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    5

    "Game encourages trying new strategies, mastering complex mechanics, and discovering hidden tricks."

    Capsule for The Wonderful 101: Remastered The Wonderful 101: Remastered

    "Encourages trying new tactics, exploring game mechanics, and creative problem solving."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players discover new areas, secrets, and lore within the game world, enhancing curiosity-driven activities."

    Capsule for USAC: Code Breach USAC: Code Breach

    "Players discover new servers, hidden content, and story elements through curiosity."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -2

    "Limited cosmetic customization; focus is on gameplay mechanics rather than avatar or environment personalization."

    Capsule for Poker Quest: Swords and Spades Poker Quest: Swords and Spades

    "Limited cosmetic customization; focus is on gameplay rather than avatar or environment expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Simulates a stylized hacker fantasy with some realistic elements but simplified for gameplay."

    Capsule for Hacknet Hacknet

    "Strongly stylized, movie-inspired hacking fantasy rather than realistic simulation."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Mostly solo play with minimal social interaction."

    Capsule for Hello Guest: Hello Neighbor 2 pre-alpha Hello Guest: Hello Neighbor 2 pre-alpha

    "Mostly solo play with minimal social interaction beyond optional chat."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills, learn mechanics, and improve through progression and equipment upgrades."

    Capsule for GOD EATER 2 Rage Burst GOD EATER 2 Rage Burst

    "Players develop skills, knowledge, and upgrade equipment to progress."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for World of Tanks Blitz World of Tanks Blitz

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during missions."

    Capsule for STAR WARS™ Republic Commando™ STAR WARS™ Republic Commando™

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during missions."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close social or emotional connections formed within gameplay."

    Capsule for 100 hidden snails 2 100 hidden snails 2

    "No close social or emotional connections formed within gameplay."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -4

    "No leadership roles; player acts independently without managing others."

    Capsule for Darkwood Darkwood

    "No leadership roles; player acts independently without managing others."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating upgrades, money, and achievements."

    Capsule for Internet Cafe Simulator 2 Internet Cafe Simulator 2

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating money, software, and hardware upgrades."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Game is tense and challenging with frequent pressure and risk of failure."

    Capsule for Dead In Vinland Dead In Vinland

    "Tense gameplay with time pressure and risk of permanent failure."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Enjoyable soundtrack and atmospheric audio-visuals provide sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Gemini Rue Gemini Rue

    "Simple audiovisuals but atmospheric soundtrack and interface create engaging sensory experience."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Some recognition through rankings and unlocks, but limited social status or visibility aspects."

    Capsule for Anarcute Anarcute

    "Ranking system and reputation provide some social recognition but limited visibility."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Optional narrative elements exist but players often create their own stories in sandbox play."

    Capsule for Elin Elin

    "Optional story elements exist but much gameplay is sandbox and player-driven."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "Requires careful planning, problem solving, and tactical decision-making to succeed."

    Capsule for Thief II: The Metal Age Thief II: The Metal Age

    "Requires planning, problem solving, and tactical decision making."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "High stakes hacking and combat create suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for Dystopia Dystopia

    "High tension from time-limited hacks and risk of being caught."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Offers many hours of content, replayability, and polished gameplay for a low price."

    Capsule for Skulls of the Shogun Skulls of the Shogun

    "Offers many hours of gameplay and replayability for a low price."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    2

    "Playful combat involves flipping and crashing forklifts, but no serious violence."

    Capsule for Forkdrift Forkdrift

    "Involves destructive hacking actions but no physical violence."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Survival mechanics and threat management are core gameplay elements."

    Capsule for Signs of Life Signs of Life

    "Avoiding detection and failure is critical; survival is a core gameplay element."

Last update: 01/06/2026