Skip to main content

DataJack

91%Game Brain Score
story, atmosphere
gameplay, music
91% User Score Based on 86 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
Buy NowGet on Steam

About

DataJack is a mission based stealth action game.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
DataJack screenshot
DataJack screenshot
DataJack screenshot
DataJack screenshot
DataJack screenshot
DataJack screenshot
DataJack screenshot
DataJack screenshot
DataJack screenshot

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 86 reviews
story8 positive mentions
stability2 negative mentions
  • The game is incredibly fun and allows for a variety of play styles, including stealth and combat.
  • It offers a good selection of weapons and upgrades, providing depth and customization for players.
  • Considering it's free, the game is a great value and has a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic cyberpunk titles.
  • The game suffers from clunky controls, janky mechanics, and unbalanced AI, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • Mission retries are cumbersome as players are kicked back to the main menu after failing, making it tedious to replay difficult sections.
  • Graphical issues and a lack of polish detract from the overall experience, making it feel like an unfinished project.
  • story
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of Datajack is engaging, featuring a well-crafted dystopian cyberpunk setting that draws players into its lore through mission briefings and terminal files. Players take on the role of a mercenary completing various missions for different contractors, allowing for a mix of stealth and combat approaches, though some reviewers wished for more mission variety before the climax. The game offers multiple endings based on player choices, enhancing replayability and providing a satisfying narrative experience.

    • “Still, the game is pretty enjoyable, the atmosphere is right and the lore is well thought out, which you can extrapolate by the mission briefing/debriefings and from the files you download from the terminals, giving the appropriate feeling and background, much alike to the first Deus Ex game.”
    • “I managed to complete the game and to see all the 3 endings (I don't think there are more), one for each contractor; the respective final missions are pretty similar but each one leads to a different, and pretty dystopic, epilogue, which is what you kinda expect from a dystopic cyberpunk sci-fi game, of course.”
    • “Datajack is an isometric take on the nonlinear mission structure games like Deus Ex, and it's still as fun as it was when I first played it.”
    • “I will say I wish there were more missions before the climax and there were more ways and stuff to interact with.”
    • “I managed to complete the game and to see all the 3 endings (I don't think there are more), one for each contractor; the respective final missions are pretty similar but each one leads to a different, and pretty dystopic, epilogue, which is what you kind of expect from a dystopic cyberpunk sci-fi game, of course.”
    • “You can't retry a mission instantly; it kicks you out into the main menu, and then you have to reload into your world hub, which becomes really obnoxious after you've died for the fifth time to the same guy who's on a higher plane than you but somehow spots you even though you are hugging the wall right under them.”
  • gameplay
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is described as solid yet somewhat clunky, with retro-style stealth mechanics that may require some adjustment. While the hacking feature is simple and enjoyable, the overall mechanics can feel overly complicated for some players. Despite these issues, many recommend the game, especially considering it is free.

    • “But otherwise it's a pretty solid game with solid mechanics, would highly recommend, including since it's free.”
    • “A sci-fi dive in the 90s, both for the game design and gameplay and for the dystopic cyberpunk concept style.”
    • “The hacking mechanic is really simple but also enjoyable, nothing boring or frustrating, no minigames.”
    • “Not my jam, clunky in controls and overly complicated in mechanics...”
    • “Gameplay per se is a bit wonky and you have to get used to the stealth mechanics, which are really retro-style by all means.”
    • “Gameplay per se is a bit wonky and you have to get used to the stealth mechanics, which are really retro-style by all means.”
  • atmosphere
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is well-crafted, drawing players in with thoughtful lore and immersive mission briefings reminiscent of the original Deus Ex. While the soundtrack may lack variety, the atmospheric sound effects enhance the experience, allowing players to customize their audio with external music if desired. Overall, the combination of these elements creates a compelling backdrop for tactical infiltration gameplay.

    • “The atmosphere is right and the lore is well thought out, which you can extrapolate by the mission briefing/debriefings and from the files you download from the terminals, giving the appropriate feeling and background, much alike to the first Deus Ex game.”
    • “Surprisingly good atmospheric background music and sound effects propel Datajack into the pantheon of tactical infiltration games.”
    • “You can put on some good synthwave to match the atmosphere.”
  • graphics
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics are praised for their appealing artwork reminiscent of classic Nintendo games, contributing to a satisfying gameplay experience. However, the game suffers from numerous graphical issues, including slowdown and resolution problems, which detract from the overall quality. Additionally, some gameplay mechanics, such as aiming and sound effects, are criticized for being poorly executed.

    • “Satisfying to play, good controls, and great artwork that is very reminiscent of classic Nintendo.”
    • “It has a lot of jank - there are frequent graphical problems, aiming is wonky, footstep noise is basically meaningless, the AI is dumb as a box of rocks, the game never really expands to the point where you need to use your full arsenal, and one map in particular has inexcusable slowdown for a game this simple running at such a low resolution.”
  • music
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while some find the soundtrack unremarkable and repetitive, others appreciate the atmospheric background music and sound effects that enhance the gameplay experience. Players have the option to disable the in-game music and replace it with their own synthwave tracks, allowing for a more personalized atmosphere. Overall, the sound design contributes positively to the game's tactical infiltration theme.

    • “Surprisingly good atmospheric background music and sound effects propel Datajack into the pantheon of tactical infiltration games.”
    • “The soundtrack is nothing special or varied; I guess some might find it boring. However, it can be disabled from the options menu (only via the main screen), allowing you to play some good synthwave to match the atmosphere.”
    • “The music lacks variety and fails to stand out, which might lead to boredom for some players. Fortunately, it can be turned off in the options menu, letting you enjoy your own tunes instead.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report that the game suffers from bugs and balance issues, indicating a lack of stability in gameplay.

    • “The bad stuff is that some of the game is buggy and unbalanced.”

Buy DataJack

Videos

Games Like DataJack

Invisible Inc. Image
87%7.8kreviews

Invisible Inc.

2015Tactical Turn-based Strategy
Gog ComGog ComPCPCiPhoneiPhone+12
Dex Image
This game contains adult content
77%1.8kreviews

Dex

2015Open World Role Playing
PCPCXboxXboxXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|S+9
Jack Move Image
83%751reviews

Jack Move

2022Role Playing
PCPCXboxXboxXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|S+8
XCOM: Enemy Unknown Image
This game contains adult content
94%46.5kreviews

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

2012Tactical Turn-based Strategy
PCPCWindowsWindowsLinuxLinux+3
Shadowrun Returns Image
This game contains adult content
85%17.9kreviews

Shadowrun Returns

2013Role Playing
PCPCAndroidAndroidiPhoneiPhone+14