A sentimental road back to Uplink times, but in 2026.
Link26 is a browser-based hacking simulation game inspired by the classic Uplink from Introversion Software. It recreates the tension and atmosphere of being a freelance hacker navigating through proxy chains, scanning targets, and completing contracts—all from your terminal.
- Typewriter effect for authentic retro feel
- Status-aware prompt:
lnk@hostname:/path [ALERT]> - Command history navigation
- Atmospheric system messages when connected
- World map with proxy nodes and target hosts
- Visual scan wave animation through proxy chains
- Real-time route visualization with data packets
- Click-to-add proxy routing
Instead of raw percentages, trace builds tension through narrative:
- CALM → "SYSTEMS NOMINAL"
- ALERT → "SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY"
- HUNT → "TRACE IN PROGRESS"
- LOCKDOWN → "IDENTITY COMPROMISED"
- Accept contracts from your inbox
- Exfiltrate data, modify files, plant evidence
- Build reputation and earn credits
- Race against trace detection
- Build multi-hop routes for anonymity
- Each proxy has heat, cost, and anonymity stats
- Proxies burn out with overuse
- Direct connections massively spike trace
help Show available commands
inbox List open missions
accept <id> Accept a mission
scan <host> Scan target (triggers map animation)
connect <host> Establish session
ls / cat / cp / rm File operations when connected
route add <proxy> Add proxy to route
route show Display current route
disconnect Drop connection (trace decays while idle)
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Run development server
npm run dev
# Build for production
npm run buildOpen http://localhost:3000 in your browser.
- Framework: Next.js 16 with App Router
- State: Zustand with IndexedDB persistence
- Styling: Tailwind CSS
- Audio: Web Audio API synthesized sounds
- Graphics: Canvas 2D for map, CSS for effects
- Always scan before connecting - Direct connections without reconnaissance spike your trace massively
- Build a proxy route - Never connect without at least 2-3 proxy hops
- Watch proxy heat - Overused proxies burn out and become unusable
- Disconnect to decay - Trace slowly decreases when you're not connected
- Wipe logs sparingly - It works but creates a trace spike
- Cloud save sync
- More mission types
- Hardware upgrades shop
- Multiplayer agent rankings
- Mobile responsive layout
Inspired by Uplink: Hacker Elite (2001) by Introversion Software—the game that defined the hacking sim genre.
MIT
"Welcome back, operator. The network awaits."