868-HACK

About

868-HACK is a single player strategy game. It was developed by Michael Brough and was released on January 26, 2015. It received very positive reviews from players.

You are a computer hacker. You steal precious data while the world sleeps. Siphons are your lockpicks. Progs are your guns. Connect to the sectors. Download the data. Escape, or be deleted alive.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 108 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

monetization1 negative mentions

Elegant, minimalist roguelike with deep strategic gameplay and innovative mechanics inspired by classic arcade games.
Short, well-designed levels and quick sessions make it perfect for intense, rewarding puzzle experiences with high replayability and a compelling risk-reward system.
Clear and fair enemy mechanics combined with a variety of upgradeable powers create satisfying and tense tactical decisions, supported by clean visuals and immersive ambient sound.

Steep learning curve with limited tutorial support causes confusion and frustration for some players, especially early on.
Randomness and RNG elements can sometimes lead to feeling punished unfairly, affecting overall enjoyment.
Some players find the graphics simplistic and the game potentially repetitive after extended play, with occasional technical issues like resolution or audio problems reported.

gameplay
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
67%
11%
The gameplay is deceptively simple yet deeply strategic, blending easy-to-learn mechanics with complex synergies and meaningful risk-reward decisions that encourage experimentation and tactical thinking. While sessions are short and highly replayable, the game offers challenging, varied mechanics and resource management without overwhelming tutorials, appealing to players who enjoy uncovering hidden depth and mastering its intricacies. Its addictive, fast-paced roguelike structure, coupled with a compelling hacker theme, makes for an engaging experience despite some repetitiveness and minimal narrative context.
- “The base mechanics are easy to grasp, but you have to experiment to notice some edge effects and interesting synergies between the upgrades.”
- “Excellent mechanics where every power completely changes how you read the game board (more so with each new power unlocked).”
- “Consistently engaging as you make your own discoveries as to how the game works, and also how to manipulate the inimitable mechanics of Michael Brough.”
- “Though the game does have a tutorial, I felt as though I was thrown into the game without much explanation of its mechanics and thus had little understanding of how to play.”
- “After a while the gameplay becomes repetitive and you really just play for score and nothing else.”
- “It’s also a case study in economic design, even if it goes a little too far in that regard; there’s not a speck of unnecessary or drawn-out content here, but there’s also no context to the gameplay, and the audio is bizarrely tuneless.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The graphics feature a simple, charming 8-bit retro aesthetic that perfectly complements the game's unique, techno-weird atmosphere. Despite their minimalism, the visuals are clean and paired with dynamic ambient sounds, enhancing the immersive and addictive roguelike experience. Overall, the presentation is stylish and well-polished, especially noticeable on PC.
- “The presentation is that perfect low-key techno-weirdness that suits a game about zapping bugs in a neon grid world, both in terms of graphics and ambient sound design.”
- “Finally, the very simple graphics and sound effects make for a surprisingly unique atmosphere.”
- “I bought this on mobile and played it a lot, but playing it on a PC shows all the little bits of graphical and sound polish, it doesn't feel like a port.”
- “It has simple and clean graphics, and the ambient noises of the various enemies that come to smash you under their digital heel are a fantastic touch.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
The game offers high replayability, especially due to its unique blend of roguelike elements, math puzzles, and procedural content generation. Unlockable features and randomized gameplay keep the experience fresh and engaging for most players, though some may find the replay value less appealing personally.
- “I think it fulfills a very unique niche in the roguelike category and the math puzzle aspect of it gives it very high replay value.”
- “It is also randomized with procedural content generation (like a roguelike), so it has very good replay value.”
- “As you complete the game, you'll continue unlocking new and fun programs which can randomly spawn on every sector, which again, greatly increases the game's replay value.”
- “Very little replay value for me personally.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The music is praised for its arcade-style, synth-driven, and dynamic soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere, adapting to the character's situation. However, some users experience issues with the soundtrack not working and desire more audio options for a better experience. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's ambient and enjoyable vibe.
- “I really enjoyed all the sounds and the randomly generated soundtrack, but it seems to not work anymore despite reinstalls.”
- “It's a very enjoyable experience, the soundtrack and graphics make for a nice ambient experience, and the music and vibe changes based on what's going on with your character's situation.”
- “Arcade styling, synthy music...”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story is minimal and not the main focus of the game, which centers primarily on its mechanics rather than narrative depth.
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game generally runs well but occasionally experiences glitches that cause the player to get stuck or "wedged" during gameplay. Overall, stability is good despite some minor issues.
- “I keep getting wedged between multiple 'bad guys,' those being glitches and daemons.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is notably unique and engaging, achieved through simple graphics and sound effects that create a distinctive and memorable experience.
- “Finally, the very simple graphics and sound effects create a surprisingly unique atmosphere.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is subtle and not centered around comedic deaths or grind-related jokes, making it less appealing for players seeking overtly funny moments.
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users feel the game is relatively expensive and suggest it might be better suited as a free-to-play title, though they acknowledge that would likely involve frequent ads.