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hackmud similar games & best alternatives

hackmud

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2016

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Quick resume

hackmud is a retro cyberpunk RPG where you play a digital persona in a chaotic, unpredictable, and often goofy abandoned internet. Enter a 90s hacker movie filled with scripts, scams, and sabotage. Explore the world of digital secrets and forge your legacy through cunning, creativity, or disruption.

Global score

78/100

Genres

Indie, Massively Multiplayer, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • High skill and creativity in scripting
    • Strong and supportive community
    • Deep and challenging puzzles
    • Immersive cyberpunk atmosphere
    • Active developer engagement

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve for non-programmers
    • Server and chat stability issues at launch
    • Small player base limits mmo experience
    • Text-based interface may deter casual players
    • Potential frustration from pvp losses

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      5

      "Players have extensive freedom to build, choose playstyles, and direct their own actions in an open sandbox."

      Capsule for Voxel Turf Voxel Turf

      "Players have full freedom to write their own scripts, choose play styles, and direct their own actions in an open sandbox."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      5

      "High skill ceiling with challenging puzzles, timing, and coordination requiring mastery and rewarding player skill."

      Capsule for Desperados III Desperados III

      "High skill ceiling with complex puzzles, scripting challenges, and player-versus-player hacking requiring mastery and continuous learning."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      4

      "Strong competitive elements with leaderboards, ranked modes, guild wars, and various PvP modes."

      Capsule for Mitos.is: The Game Mitos.is: The Game

      "Strong competitive elements including PvP hacking, leaderboards, and player-driven economy with rivalries and scams."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Players report long play sessions, deep engagement, and habitual play due to complex systems and community involvement."

      Capsule for WAKFU WAKFU

      "Players report long sessions, habitual play, and deep engagement with scripting and community activities."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      3

      "Team-based gameplay requires cooperation within factions to achieve goals, though deception complicates trust."

      Capsule for MINDNIGHT MINDNIGHT

      "Players form corporations, alliances, and collaborate on scripts and strategies, though betrayal and deception are common."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      5

      "Players can create and modify scripts, exploits, and even websites, enabling extensive creative expression."

      Capsule for Grey Hack Grey Hack

      "Extensive player-created content, scripts, puzzles, and tools allow for high creativity and modification."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      3

      "Pay-to-win and hacking enable some players to dominate others, fostering power imbalances and frustration."

      Capsule for BLOCKADE BLOCKADE

      "Players exert power over others through hacking, scams, and social engineering, though community cooperation also exists."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Immersive cyberpunk world and intense gameplay provide strong escape from real life."

      Capsule for Ghostrunner Ghostrunner

      "Immersive cyberpunk world and complex gameplay provide strong distraction and escape from real life."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and intrinsic motivation; no evidence of obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for Steel Division: Normandy 44 Steel Division: Normandy 44

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and intrinsic motivation; no evidence of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      5

      "Game constantly introduces new mechanics and gameplay styles, encouraging players to explore and adapt."

      Capsule for Split Fiction Split Fiction

      "Players constantly explore new scripts, mechanics, and strategies; the game encourages tinkering and innovation."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "Players explore varied environments and uncover hidden lore and secrets throughout the game."

      Capsule for Fishy Fishy

      "Players discover hidden lore, puzzles, NPCs, and secrets in a vast text-based world."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      4

      "Players customize and personalize creations extensively, expressing themselves through design and programming."

      Capsule for Plasma Plasma

      "Players customize scripts, create unique tools, and shape their in-game identity through code and social interaction."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      3

      "Strong cyberpunk fiction setting with futuristic tech, hacking, and narrative elements creating an imaginative experience."

      Capsule for Cyber Knights: Flashpoint Cyber Knights: Flashpoint

      "Fictional cyberpunk setting with AI sentience and hacking fantasy elements."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      4

      "Active community, Discord engagement, and social multiplayer foster a sense of belonging."

      Capsule for MageQuit MageQuit

      "Strong community presence, active Discord, and social channels foster a sense of belonging."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      5

      "Players learn programming concepts, improve coding skills, and develop problem-solving abilities."

      Capsule for EXAPUNKS EXAPUNKS

      "Players learn programming, problem solving, and hacking skills; community helps newcomers grow."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay focused on coding and screen time."

      Capsule for Screeps: World Screeps: World

      "Sedentary gameplay focused on coding and terminal interaction."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; not suitable for casual or background play."

      Capsule for LET IT DIE LET IT DIE

      "Requires focused attention and active engagement; not suitable for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      2

      "Players form social bonds and friendships through communication, though interactions can be superficial or toxic."

      Capsule for Deceit Deceit

      "Players form friendships and collaborate, though interactions can be competitive and deceptive."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      3

      "Players lead and manage employees and business operations, making decisions and delegating tasks."

      Capsule for Pumping Simulator 2 Pumping Simulator 2

      "Players lead corporations, coordinate attacks, and guide scripting projects."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate vehicles, upgrades, and currency to advance."

      Capsule for Vangers Vangers

      "Players accumulate in-game currency, upgrades, and scripting capabilities to advance."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      -2

      "The game is challenging and sometimes frustrating, with tension from difficult platforming and puzzles."

      Capsule for Schein Schein

      "Gameplay is challenging and mentally demanding, with tension from PvP and complex puzzles."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      2

      "Enjoyment comes from dynamic gameplay and social interaction rather than intense sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for IOSoccer IOSoccer

      "Enjoyment comes from intellectual stimulation and community interaction rather than sensory input."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      3

      "Recognition through skill, rank, and community reputation is valued."

      Capsule for Natural Selection 2 Natural Selection 2

      "Recognition through leaderboards, scripting reputation, and community standing is valued."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "The game features lore and narrative elements revealed through audio logs and NPCs, adding depth beyond gameplay."

      Capsule for Arboria Arboria

      "The game has lore and narrative elements, especially in the tutorial and NPC interactions."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

      "High mental challenge with planning, problem solving, and logical reasoning required for hacking and defense."

      Capsule for Grey Hack Grey Hack

      "High emphasis on planning, problem solving, and strategic thinking in hacking and social engineering."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      4

      "Risk of permanent loss and PvP encounters create suspense and excitement."

      Capsule for EVE Online EVE Online

      "Risk and suspense from PvP hacking, scams, and timed puzzles create excitement and tension."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players perceive strong value in learning programming and creative freedom for the price."

      Capsule for Retro Gadgets Retro Gadgets

      "Players perceive strong value from learning programming, community, and long-term engagement."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -4

      "Gameplay focuses on constructive hacking and puzzle solving rather than combat or destruction."

      Capsule for NITE Team 4 - Military Hacking Division NITE Team 4 - Military Hacking Division

      "Gameplay focuses on hacking and scripting rather than physical violence or destruction."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      4

      "Players must avoid threats and manage risks to survive and progress in the game."

      Capsule for Welcome to the Game Welcome to the Game

      "Players must protect assets, avoid being hacked, and manage risks to survive in the game world."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026