Uplink
2001 · Introversion Software
The classic that started it all: a freelance hacker taking risky contracts in a mouse-driven, wonderfully atmospheric world.
Best for: atmosphere and story
VIEW ON STEAMroot@node-c2:~# cd /games-like-uplink
GAMES LIKE UPLINK & HACKNET
Hacking games for players who want more than a progress bar: the classics, the best of today, and how they compare.
THE CLASSICS AND THE BEST OF TODAY
THE BEST HACKING GAMES
Hacknet
2015 · Team Fractal Alligator
A terminal-based hacking simulator with a gripping mystery: you follow the instructions of a hacker whose death may not have been an accident.
Best for: a story-driven first taste of the terminal
VIEW ON STEAMGrey Hack
2017 · Loading Home
A massively multiplayer hacking simulator on a vast procedurally generated network, with an in-game terminal and its own scripting language.
Best for: open-world multiplayer hacking
VIEW ON STEAMHackHub - Ultimate Hacker Simulator
2026 · HotBunny
A mission-based hacker simulator about uncovering cyber secrets and fighting mass surveillance, with simulated versions of real tools such as nslookup, nmap and hydra.
Best for: mission-based hacking with familiar tool names
VIEW ON STEAMhackmud
2016 · ComCODE
A retro cyberpunk hacking MMO set in an abandoned internet full of scripts, scams and sabotage between real players.
Best for: playing against other players
VIEW ON STEAMBitburner
2021 · Fulcrum Games, Hydroflame
A free, open-source programming game: write JavaScript to automate a cyberpunk hacking world. More incremental game than simulation.
Best for: learning to program
VIEW ON STEAMHacker Evolution Duality
2011 · exosyphen studios
From the long-running Hacker Evolution series: a classic single-player hacking simulation with puzzles.
Best for: classic hacking puzzles
VIEW ON STEAMSIDE BY SIDE
HOW THEY COMPARE
| GAME | REAL LINUX COMMANDS | REAL CVES | MULTIPLAYER | WHAT YOU LEARN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uplink | no | no | no | the hacker fantasy |
| Hacknet | partly | no | no | terminal basics |
| Grey Hack | partly | no | yes | scripting |
| HackHub - Ultimate Hacker Simulator | partly | no | yes | recon tools (nmap, hydra) |
| hackmud | no | no | yes | JavaScript |
| Bitburner | no | no | no | JavaScript |
| Hacker Evolution Duality | no | no | no | puzzle solving |
| NODE: PROTOCOL | yes | yes | yes | Linux, Nmap, Metasploit, 72 real CVEs |
THE NEXT STEP
WHERE NODE: PROTOCOL FITS
NODE: PROTOCOL is a spiritual successor to Uplink for players who loved its atmosphere and Hacknet’s terminal, but wanted the real thing: real Linux commands with pipes, Nmap, Metasploit and 72 real CVEs, a hardware physics layer, 1–4 player co-op and CTF up to 6v6.
The free demo is on Steam now; Early Access starts on 6 November 2026.
FAQ
QUESTIONS
What is the most realistic hacking game?
It depends on what you mean by realistic. If you want real Linux commands, real tools like Nmap and Metasploit and real CVEs, NODE: PROTOCOL is built for exactly that. Hacknet and Grey Hack use game-specific commands inspired by real ones, and HackHub simulates well-known tools such as nmap.
Are there new games like Uplink?
Yes. Hacknet (2015) and Grey Hack (2017) carried the terminal-hacking idea forward, and NODE: PROTOCOL, a spiritual successor to Uplink, launches in Early Access on 6 November 2026 with a free demo on Steam now.
Is there a co-op hacking game?
Grey Hack and hackmud are multiplayer worlds. NODE: PROTOCOL has dedicated 1–4 player co-op with shared hacking sessions, plus CTF matches up to 6v6. Co-op is not included in the free demo.