Choose Uplink
Choose Uplink if it matches what drew you to this matchup. 1,371 Steam reviews back the pick.
Uplink vs Hacker Series
Uplink and Hacker Series 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 10 years older than Hacker Series (2016). Uplink scores higher on Steam reviews (90.7% positive) than Hacker Series (60% 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 Hacker Series
Choose Hacker Series if you want a Simulation experience. On Steam, it's currently about 96% cheaper on the Steam Store. Hacker Series launched in 2016.
Both Uplink and Hacker Series 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 |  Hacker Series | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2006 | 2016 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie | Strategy, Indie, Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 11.99 USD | 0.49 USD |
| Steam reviews | 90.7% positive (1,371 reviews) | 60% positive (10 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Introversion Software | exosyphen studios |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie on Steam.
- Uplink (2006) is 10 years older than Hacker Series (2016).
- Uplink scores higher on Steam reviews (90.7% positive) than Hacker Series (60% positive).
- Hacker Series is currently ~96% cheaper on Steam than Uplink (0.49 USD vs. 11.99 USD).
- Uplink is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Hacker Series has no Deck rating yet.
Uplink vs Hacker Series — FAQ
- Should I play Uplink or Hacker Series first?
- If you want chronology, Uplink (2006) came out before Hacker Series (2016). 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 Hacker Series 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.
- Does Uplink run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Uplink is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Hacker Series doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.