868-BACK is a roguelike game where hacking is cool

868-BACK is a computer-hacking strategy roguelike with a surprising amount of depth to it, and it's one fans of the genre are going to need to check out. Note: a key was provided to GamingOnLinux by the publisher.

This one was funded on BackerKit back in 2024. Coming from Michael Brough, a name you might recognise from older games like Vertex Dispenser and 868-HACK. This is sort of a follow-up sequel to 868-HACK for a slightly more modern audience. But, you don't really need to know any history - you can just jump on into 868-BACK and get hacking into some servers.

What's the story here then? The game gets you to hack into various different types of servers to steal data from the richest corporations on Earth. You go through the servers like they're dungeons, using software tools you acquire like weapons. It's all about attempting to dismantle capitalism, as you clear each sector of various types of enemies with odds that are increasingly difficult requiring you to use every tool at your disposal to get to the next server.

The visual style of it, along with the tutorial - make it out to be quite a simple process of turn-based tile movement through server nodes, but it's a lot more than that. Inside each server node is a different type of challenge, with different weapons and tools available that you have to attempt to make the most of while enemies constantly spawn in. You can try and siphon off data from special blocks inside a server to get a new tool, but a whole bunch of extra enemies will spawn in to deal with so you're constantly trying to maximise what you can get in these small areas, while also trying not to die and get disconnected from it.

Quite a learning curve to it as well. The tutorial really only gives you the absolute basics of the mechanics - the rest really is up to you. Much like coding and hacking - it's all trial and error until you find the flow.

Hours in and I feel like I'm barely scratching the surface of it. There's so much to it that it takes a good while to explore. It's not pure 2D either, you'll see a surprising 3D switch at times. It's clever how it does a lot with a little. Each time I attempt to get through it I'm discovering something entirely new. It feels almost endless. And the way it keeps mixing things you've seen a few times across the servers to challenge you is great.

With all the different assortment of tools you get - 868-BACK really makes you feel like a total computer wizard.

Released at the end of May, it's criminal it has less than 100 Steam user reviews at time of writing there's only 77. It's yet another absolute gem that really needs more people to know it exists and to try it out.

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It really is an incredibly designed game. One you absolutely have to play if you love roguelikes that mix in some strategy that will keep you going for hours and hours without a hint of boredom. Wonderful stuff.

From a press release: "Someone once wrote to me that the original 868-HACK helped them through a difficult time." says Michael Brough. "I hope that the sequel can do the same for people - that it can be a positive presence in their lives. I wish that everyone who plays feels that the time and attention they give to the game is returned with something good for them."

You can read a bit more about the behind the scenes in a blog post from Brough.