Choose Uplink
Choose Uplink if it matches what drew you to this matchup. 1,371 Steam reviews back the pick.
Uplink vs Hack Run ZERO
Uplink and Hack Run ZERO both land in Strategy, Indie on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both share Strategy, Indie on Steam. Uplink (2006) is 9 years older than Hack Run ZERO (2015). Uplink scores higher on Steam reviews (90.7% positive) than Hack Run ZERO (87% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Hack Run ZERO
Choose Hack Run ZERO if you want an Adventure, Simulation, and Free To Play experience. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. Hack Run ZERO launched in 2015.
Both Uplink and Hack Run ZERO sit in Strategy and Indie on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Uplink |  Hack Run ZERO | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2006 | 2015 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie | Strategy, Indie, Adventure, Simulation, Free To Play |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Deck Playable |
| Price | 11.99 USD | Free to play |
| Steam reviews | 90.7% positive (1,371 reviews) | 87% positive (23 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Introversion Software | i273 LLC |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie on Steam.
- Uplink (2006) is 9 years older than Hack Run ZERO (2015).
- Uplink scores higher on Steam reviews (90.7% positive) than Hack Run ZERO (87% positive).
- Hack Run ZERO is free; Uplink is paid (11.99 USD).
- Both are Deck Playable.
Uplink vs Hack Run ZERO — FAQ
- Should I play Uplink or Hack Run ZERO first?
- If you want chronology, Uplink (2006) came out before Hack Run ZERO (2015). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Uplink and Hack Run ZERO similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, Indie on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Is Hack Run ZERO free?
- Yes — Hack Run ZERO is a free-to-play Steam title. Uplink is paid (11.99 USD).