The 13 Best Hacking Games

In today’s world, hacking is a popular and often misunderstood subject, especially in the realm of gaming. Whether you’re drawn to the art of digital manipulation or simply enjoy the thrill of outsmarting systems, hacking games offer a fascinating and immersive experience. These games let players step into the shoes of a cybercriminal, ethical hacker, or tech genius, offering challenges that require intelligence, strategy, and creativity. Unlike traditional action games, hacking games blend puzzles, critical thinking, and stealth to craft unique experiences that focus on overcoming digital barriers and cracking codes. For those looking for a deeper dive into virtual hacking, these games range from simple puzzle-solving apps to complex simulations, reflecting a world where technology meets skill in a race against time and security systems. With elements like coding, encryption, and cybersecurity challenges, these games don’t just entertain—they sharpen problem-solving abilities and introduce players to the fascinating world of digital espionage and hacking culture. Whether you’re an aspiring hacker or just a curious gamer, the best hacking games offer endless opportunities to test your mental agility while engaging with some of the most complex digital environments out there.

The Best Hacking Games

1. Uplink
2. Hacknet
3. Quadrilateral Cowboy
4. Watch Dogs
5. Else Heart.Break()
6. Deus Ex
7. Cyberpunk 2077
8. Bioshock
9. System Shock 2
10. Cyber Manhunt
11. Exapunks
12. Operation: Tango
13. NITE Team 4

Uplink

Uplink can be considered as a simulation game. Despite the cuter mechanics we’ve seen so far, Uplink presents a simulation of the hacking world back in 2001. The aim of the game is of course to do illegal things and raise your name. These illegal things include money laundering, stealing research data, deleting evidence and accusing the innocent.

Hacknet

Hacknet is a game that we can see as the successor of Uplink. If we compare the game released in 2015 with Uplink, we can see that better graphics and storytelling have been added. In this terminal-based hacking simulator, you follow the instructions of a recently deceased hacker to  find the real cause of the death.

Also Read: The Best Games Where You Play As The Villain

Quadrilateral Cowboy

Quadrilateral Cowboy is a game where we control the world in the game with a hacking system and open the doors and lights with commands. Despite its simple graphics, the game, made with a different thought, has its own unique gameplay.

Watch Dogs

As a game made on the subject of hackers, the Watch Dogs series has quite impressive hacking mechanics for its time. In Watch Dogs 2, instead of revamping this system, its enhancements also show their desire not to spoil anything successful. I wish they would show these wishes in the whole game.

Also Read: The Best Parkour Games

Else Heart.Break()

Else Heart.Break() is a game that looks like a click-based adventure game, but we change the behavior of objects as we reach their codes. In addition to the nice graphics, the expanding city and the many things to do present different reasons to play the game.

Deus Ex

If you want to enter the secret rooms and get the hidden loot in Deus Ex Human Revolution, you have to solve the puzzle style hacking system. It offers a hacking system that fits the overall successful structure of the game.

Cyberpunk 2077

When a cyberpunk world is created, of course, hacking becomes one of the most important elements. Although the game fails in terms of what it promises since its release, the hacking system it offers to the game world is not one of them.

Also Read: The Best Games Like Cyberpunk 2077

Bioshock

Bioshock is a successful series with its narrative elements and universe. If you ask how hacking works in a steampunk world, the answer is to solve puzzles. The hack system, where we make a path from pipes, is fun, albeit unrealistic.

System Shock 2

System Shock 2 is one of the best hacking games for the ones looking for both FPS and RPG mechanics in one production. Also including sci-fi and horror elements, the successful game was developed by Irrational Games and Looking Glass Studios.  

Also Read: The Best Sci-Fi Games

Cyber Manhunt

Focusing on societal topics such as cyberbullying and invasions of privacy, Cyber Manhunt is a puzzle game with a narrative concentrating on individual privacy, hackers, big data, and social workers. This game’s storyline has many parallels to actual events.

Exapunks

As an open-ended puzzle game developed by Zachtronics, creator of Opus Magnum, Exapunks throws you into a dangerous world where you will need your hacker skills to survive.

Operation: Tango

In Operation: Tango, one of the best hacking games, it takes two people to save the world. In the game, you will pair with a friend as a hacker or agent and work together to bring a high-tech global threat to its knees. 

NITE Team 4

With its realistic mission scenarios and exploration of the realm of cyberwarfare, NITE Team 4 is a military hacking simulation game. For players of any skill level, the game offers more than 70 missions and operations divided into several categories.

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We have come to the end of our list of the best hacking games that open the doors to a mysterious and exciting world for players. Which is your favorite game? Is there another hacking game that you think should be on the list? We welcome your comments below.