Category: Software (Games) [Strategy, Futuristic, Computer] {PC/Mac}

Producer: Introversion / Ambrosia Software

License: Demo (game limited by level and also by time)

Cost: $25 (I’m not sure about this)

Get it at: {PC} http://www.introversion.co.uk {Mac} http://www.ambrosiasw.com

Min Requirements: 300MHz (runs fine on my laptop with 64M of RAM)

DL Size: ~ 25 M

The premise of Uplink is as such: You are a hacker in 2010, working for a company called Uplink. You take on different missions for other companies, most of which involve hacking into other computers and changing, stealing, or deleting data. (This is a good time to mention something that everyone asks me: THIS IS A GAME. Not reality. “Full stop.”) You have to purchase different types of software, bypass security systems, race against the computer trying to trace you, and above all: don’t get caught.

Really, don’t get caught. One unfortunate but realistic aspect of this game is that, once you’re caught, depending, it’s either a really stiff fine, jail, or: game over. However, in the game, you’ve got plenty of tools at your disposal to make sure that that doesn’t happen. You’ll have to bounce your connection through many different computers, hack computers and delete logs (Don’t skip this step!), and track traces made on your connection. Judicious alt-tabbing and copying your save file is definitely a must.

The graphics in this game are admirable for its download size. The techno music is appropriate (I think it gets faster when you’ve got 20 sec left before they get you, but it could be my imagination) but annoying sometimes. This game has a medium-high addictiveness factor, but this can be dashed if you get caught. However, the game does get more fun at advanced levels.

Final verdict: Fun for geeks, possibly not as fun for other people. I liked it (well, there you go!) If you are into computers (or liked the old movie Sneakers) this game is for you. A good download, but unless you really like it, don’t buy it. (But you knew that.)