How can hacking be portrayed in hacking games?
Hacking in games can often be only a “side quest” in some titles. In others, it’s the key gameplay feature! You probably played one or two titles where you bypass security in some way. You could do so physically in some older Splinter Cell titles or break countless locks in Skyrim. Still, hacking is the future. Even in the real world, it proved to be a powerful ability. How is it translated to video games?
No one expects you to sit in front of a screen with thousands of symbols on it and make out anything from them. An interesting mechanic was applied in Fallout 3 and the subsequent games in the series. Hacking is practically an elimination process in newer Fallout titles. As you select a word from the screen, you will be informed about how many letters match the password. You can try to decipher password only a few times before the terminal closes, which makes the mini-game quite thrilling.
For a different example, Cyberpunk 2077 has a system that may appear a bit misleading at first but is fairly simple once you get the hang of it. When you enter the sequence, you see three sets of symbols on the right side of the screen. They represent the code you need to enter on the left side with only a few tries. After each click, you are moving inside a new column, from which you need to move to another that contains the symbols you need. Think of it as a sudoku problem, just a little bit cooler than usual 😉
There are even more ways developers let you feel like a full-fledged hacker. They might turn out to be even more creative than the ones we have mentioned! Now, what are some of the greatest PC games that let you be a hacking genius?
Best hacking games
One of the first PC titles that come to mind when you think about the best hacking games is definitely Watch Dogs. The game’s world is full of objects and people you can use your hacking skills on. Even though you are using your abilities frequently here, there is still some space for good old action and GTA-like happy exploration. The game might not have the smoothest driving and resembles the Assassin’s Creed series a bit too much, but it is still a solid title worth giving a try. Don’t forget to check out its sequels!
Another phenomenal hacker simulator is Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. The series has been with us since the beginning of this century, and the latest entry adds even more content to what Human Revolution offered before. The title introduces even more abilities, always an alternative route to reach the goal. As for the hacking itself, it requires you to do multiple things at once: you can go on with the process or “fortify” the area you have already secured. However, be careful, as you don’t have much time left after you get detected. Still, we highly recommend familiarising yourself with earlier games in the franchise. Those are highly entertaining to this day.
These were only some of the games that nail simulation of hacking. You will find even more here on GG.deals. Browse through them and dive even deeper into the fascinating world of hackers!
