Uplink: Hacker Elite


Uplink is a simulated hacking tool, which allows you to perform various acts of high-tech computer crime. You can steal computer files, compromise government computer systems etc etc. You make money by hiring out your skills as a freelance hacker.

High tech computer crime and industrial espionage on the Internet of 2010.

You play an Uplink Agent who makes a living by performing jobs for major corporations. Your tasks involve hacking into rival computer systems, stealing research data, sabotaging other companies, laundering money, erasing evidence, or framing innocent people.

You use the money you earn to upgrade your computer systems, and to buy new software and tools. As your experience level increases you find more dangerous and profitable missions become available. You can speculate on a fully working stock market (and even influence its outcome). You can modify peoples academic or criminal records. You can divert money from bank transfers into your own accounts. You can even take part in the construction of the most deadly computer virus ever designed.

Uplink brings players into the depths of one of the world’s most intriguing settings: cyberspace. Players take on the role of an Uplink agent, working for large corporations and hacking into rival computer systems, stealing research data, sabotaging other companies, laundering money, erasing evidence, and framing innocent people. Stock markets can be influenced, personal records can be altered, and money can be transferred... sometimes into the wrong hands.

Features:

- Original gameplay: Players have the opportunity to be freelance hackers.
- Freeform gameplay: Accept the missions that you want to play.
- Neuromancer rating: Let your morals guide you; save the net or watch processors melt. Uplink offers two totally different paths to ‘l33t’ hacker status.
- Exciting missions: Crack a bank, hack a rival into jail, crash the stock market, and get out before you’re caught.
- Thrilling action: Players have to make those last 15 seconds count and feel the tension rise, as their signal is traced.
- Deep plot: The computer underground can be a dangerous place, especially if you’ve got to stop the world’s deadliest virus.

Reviews:

"A stroke of genius...a must for all conspiracy fiends" PC Gamer

"A true original...paranoia has never been so much fun" PC Format

"Deeply, deeply, deeply compulsive...try it" Games Master

Player Reviews

User Reviews
9
out of 10
The "Elite" in the title is no coincidence...

...as Uplink is at heart a great open-ended space trading game, only, well, sans the space and the trading. Instead of a ship, you've got a rig to upgrade, and upgrade, and upgrade, using cash from completing missions or free-form skullduggery. And instead of some slight variation on sci-fi tropes you've played a zillion times before, you've got a smart, well-written setting.

Presentation is bare-bones, but perfectly elegant -- there's nothing here that doesn't add to the atmosphere. And boy, did Introversion nail the atmosphere. Pure paranoia and desperate intelligence. That beep quickening as the security systems home in on your location... more of an adrenalin rush than anything you'll get from a game with polygons.

Uplink is really hard, and rather unforgiving (particularly if you don't 'cheat' by backing up your progress, which the game erases if you're caught). Not recommended if you're prone to throwing computer parts when frustrated, but the difficulty does raise the tension another notch.

I wouldn't call this a hacker sim any more than Crimson Skies is a flight sim -- Hollywood-style hacking is the setting and inspiration. If you're looking for a game to transport and absorb you, Uplink might do the trick, even if you've never fantasized about breaking into the DMV computer bank to replace your license photo with a more attractive one.


by will.jennings on Sun, 2006-09-10 01:45
9
out of 10
A truly great game

I dont if its just me or have you all sometimes wanted to be a bad-ass (excuse the language) elite hacker, working from the shadows of the net, stealing files and blowing up company computers? If so, do give this game a go. I promise you'll love it.

I've been playing this for years now and although I've (almost) completed it several times, it always beckons me back, from time to time. If you want new content and new machine builds, go grab some of the numerous mods available to this game.

Criminal activity has never felt so real and exciting as in Uplink. Get the game. Now.


by t3h on Sat, 2006-08-26 08:50

Voice of the Masses

Uplink: Hacker Elite

Where's the Linux version?

MacGuges
minipost Posted: Submitted by MacGuges on Thu, 2007-03-15 01:24.
MacGuges's picture
Posts: 18
Monkey

The game description here says "Choose your OS: Runs on Windows and Linux." but there's no Linux option available from the Demo or Buy Now menus. Neither does the Linux version come with the PC installer.

I wonder if I'd be eligible to receive the Linux version from the developer, after having purchased the version for Windows XP?

 
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