Uplink: Hacker Elite PC
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Gamer's Pulse
    92
    It doesn’t have the flash and hype of big name, but it is one of the best games I have ever played.
  2. Yahoo! Games
    90
    One of the most innovative games we've seen in years...It delivers all the immersion, innovation, and entertainment you can ask for.
  3. AltGaming
    80
    While the lack of true visual quality can be overlooked, the slightly confusing, and at times overwhelming interface that you're presented with can add to the nerve wracking nature of the game.
  4. Computer Games Magazine
    80
    Couple this sort of tension with the cerebral challenge of building a hacking career and you've got a game that makes crime pay. [July 2003, p.87]
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  5. Armchair Empire
    77
    A fairly satisfying gaming experience... that goes for deeper strategy – actual gameplay! – rather than a flashy package.
  6. IGN
    75
    It isn't one of those games that will keep you enthralled for hundreds of hours, but it is most certainly a great change from most of the clones that are released onto the market these days.
  7. GameSpy
    73
    Solid, immersive gameplay that sadly does lose some steam after extended periods of time. But, it's a fun ride for those looking something a little different from the norm.
  8. GameSpot
    71
    This is a game where you can get lost in the moment very easily.
  9. AceGamez
    70
    A misunderstood and sadly unappreciated diamond in the rough.
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  10. GameZone
    70
    While a very nice and original concept, Uplink will only appeal to a select few.
  11. Gamers' Temple
    70
    A unique game that is definitely worth a look by anyone looking for a gaming change of pace. Its long term appeal is questionable, though.
  12. PC Gameworld
    70
    Good if you’re methodical and like to play your games in short bursts. Not for twitch gamers or those who play to relax; it’s a surprisingly stressful experience!
  13. Cheat Code Central
    70
    Uplink will serve its purpose as a game that can be played sporadically. It's doubtful you will want to play it for extended sittings but it's got a lot of potential replay value providing you don't overdose on it during a weekend binge.
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 92 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 42
  3. Negative: 3 out of 42
  1. ChristopherP.
    4
    This game carries an innovative and exciting concept, but the execution is grossly off. Most guilty is the interface: there are quite a few strange quirks in entering information, for instance, requiring the mouse cursor to constantly be within the field you're entering information in, or it will be deselected. You'll spend most of the game entering information, so this bizarre interface error gets annoying very fast. At resolutions above 640x480 the text and buttons are uncomfortably small, barring the player from playing at more attractive high resolutions. Then comes the basic gameplay, which sounds exciting at first due to the entertaining concept, but in practice is tedious and pointless. You'll start by simply hacking passwords and performing basic tasks like copying and deleting information. As you "rank up", you'll get access to more advanced missions e. g. editing profiles and databases. Starting with cracking passwords is horribly dreary; rather than actually using thought to find the password yourself, you use a tool and select the password field, and the crack will eventually find the password. No, it's not fun. Hacking and editing databases can be fun for a while; going through lists of information and creating queries to find a specific entry and altering it somehow while you have the threat of being traced is modestly fun. The huge problem is, however, is that tasks like these encompass almost the entire game, and there is a very thin list of tasks to accomplish. You'll be tediously working through mission after identical mission to earn the right to partake in large-scale scenarios with a goal that takes some skill and thought to reach. These are the only worthwhile reasons to play the game, with your requiring advanced tools such as voice recorders, decoders and IP apps. Unfortunately, it takes an excessive time commitment to reach these scenarios. In the meantime you'll be clicking dozens of password fields and altering information ad nauseam. Other quibbles include an unnecessary "upgrade" system that forces the player to buy expensive new equipment before being able to perform another mission with or without the rank required also hurt the experience. Also, when you're "caught", it's game over and your save file is deleted, which I assume is to increase the intensity and fear of being caught. This can be worked around by just copying it from the save folder when you want to, but for a game that offers so little reward for so much monotonous work, it's cruel to force the player to work through the multitude of horrendously boring introductory missions again because of a single mistake. Also well worth noting is the method of covering your tracks by deleting IP logs, and this design choice doesn't seem to show any purpose. After every mission or attempted mission there will be logs where you were. These logs have to be deleted to prevent you from being traced. What this means is you'll be revisiting certain places both yours and foreign solely to click your log deleter then a log in a list, often with a dozen or more individual logs, and you'll have to do this very frequently. A game focused on a fictional portrayal of hacking is a terrifically exciting concept, but because this game suffers from a frustrating interface, poor pacing, lack of variety, and poor design choices, the concept's potential is unfulfilled. Not recommended, even to indie game fans.… Full Review »
  2. DanielW.
    10
    Incredible game, great replay value, and it's available on steam. The only problem some people may have is how it works, and how they can trace you down, even after disconnecting. However, this is what gives it such great replay value. You play, you learn more, you beat the system.… Full Review »
  3. suneater
    3
    A retro-futuristic hacker sim that flops on execution. After your intro to the interface and basic gameplay mechanics it looks like a promising game, with many different upgrades and ways to hack into systems. However the learning curve is strong and requires a lot of repetition to learn the proper paths and ways through systems. Compounding on this issue is the permadeath; if you are caught, it's game over with no save reloading. In some games this would be welcomed but here it's very frustrating because it's so easy to forget to cover your tracks 20 different ways and one slip up is a quick trip to the game over screen. This is definitely a unique game with some exciting concepts but I don't feel compelled to go back to it anytime soon.… Full Review »
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