The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
Game
Game2026
868-BACK
Developer Michael Brough
868-BACK is a computer-hacking strategy roguelike game where your mission is to dismantle capitalism one server at a time! Use hacking powers to fight enemies, steal the servers' data, and face increasingly nasty situations before being disconnected (again!) by the richest corporations on earth. From the Steam store page
277 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Nov 5, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
99
LovedLoved
167 positive · 1 negative
95% range 97–100%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 167 | 1 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 47 | 1 | 57 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
182 of 183 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
99% recommend · 160 yes, 1 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 161 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (181 of 182 positive).
Players praise 868-BACK as a deeply strategic and addictive roguelike with immense depth. [1][2][3] Many reviewers highlight the game's clever risk-reward mechanics and satisfying puzzle-like gameplay. [4][5][6] Some players find certain bonus features frustrating and detrimental to the experience. [7]
Liked
Disliked
- Some bonus features are annoying and unfun [7]
Representative posts
- [1]
Michael Brough makes deceptively simple-looking games that have an enormous amount of depth - his last game Cinco Paus is the only game I am still playing on my phone, nine years after it came out. I’m just a couple of hours into this new one and it already seems much deeper, bigger and more ambitious than the last one. You’ll probably be a little stumped at first! Getting to know his games, going from ‘totally …
- [2]
This is, no hyperbole, the best video game ever made. Of course this might not be true for you. But it is genuinely true for me. And I play a lot of video games. Here is a list of wonderful experiences this game provides: — Discovering a lot of surprising and delightful things, and then discovering more surprising and delightful ways they interact — Using that knowledge to scrape together clever solutions to dire …
- [3]
I'll just start out here by saying outright, this is not only the greatest roguelike I've ever played, but one of the best games I've ever played, period, and I've been gaming since the Atari 2600 era (born in '81, you see). In fact I think this might be my new all-time favorite. It's that good. Now, I'd had high expectations going into this one. I've played Michael Brough's games before, particularly 868-HACK and …
- [4]
At 30 hours in, I've only begun to scratch at the surface of the game, but I feel safe calling it my favorite release of this year. It's a tightly-packed, intensely engaging puzzlebox of design, where no choice feels without weight and no feature is without unerring intent. You are always on the edge of a knife, never more than one mistake away from disaster, your obstacles machiavellian in their insurmountable …
- [5]
An absurd amount of videogame. It's the Resident Evil 4 of turn based deconstructed roguelikes - in that it plays so intense and it's so terrifying that I play one or two runs and have to go take a break, put my brain in an ice bath. It is one of the capital K Kinkiest games because it really makes me question, "Why am I enjoying this game making me feel bad so much?" Need more hours in the day so I can get good at …
Summarised from 34 of the 255 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
99% of the 161 Steam reviewers we collected recommend 868-BACK. The complaint that keeps coming up: some bonus features are annoying and unfun. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Reactions
60 of 277 · most liked first👾 ANNOUNCING 868-BACK! Dismantle capitalism one server at a time in this computer-hacking strategy roguelike game by Michael Brough! Play the free demo in Steam Next Fest on Feb. 23rd! Wishlist on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
neutral · AI labelView post →I love how Bennett Foddy played like 24 hours worth of 868-BACK over the past two days
neutral · AI labelView post →AUTUMN TREAT 🍬 EVERY FINJI GAME IS ON SALE ON STEAM! Including: 868-BACK - 10% OFF Night in the Woods - 50% OFF TUNIC - 50% OFF I WAS A TEENAGE EXOCOLONIST - 50% OFF WILMOT WORKS IT OUT - 30% OFF 🎃 store.steampowered.com/publisher/fi...
neutral · AI labelView post →Eating good this week... 🎃MADHOUSE update on Monday. ⌨️868-BACK tomorrow (Thursday). Sequel to my favorite game from @smestorp.bsky.social, which is saying a lot because all his games are so compelling. 🐭Mina the Hollower on Friday. Can't wait to finally soak myself in those pixels... Big week!
positive · AI labelView post →Use your index, hacker! ‼️ 868-BACK is an upcoming strategy roguelike game about stealing from the rich & greedy MegaCorps. 👾 Play the free demo on Steam!
neutral · AI labelView post →Michael Brough makes deceptively simple-looking games that have an enormous amount of depth - his last game Cinco Paus is the only game I am still playing on my phone, nine years after it came out. I’m just a couple of hours into this new one and it already seems much deeper, bigger and more ambitious than the last one. You’ll probably be a little stumped at first! Getting to know his games, going from ‘totally lost’ to ‘lost in thought’ is a huge part of what’s enjoyable about them. /edit 2…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Michael's just sort of $30K, the point he won't have to cut anything from 868-BACK, the sequel to the phenomenal 868-HACK. It's a game that most game designers -especially those interested in roguelikes- will absolutely have on their "most anticipated" lists.
neutral · AI labelView post →868-BACK has met the target, thanks everyone! obviously more would help (a lot) but - this game is getting made!
neutral · AI labelView post →Quick thread because we launched 868-BACK yesterday and it's not everyday you get to launch the sequel to the game that inspired Overland and is made by one of the game designers you (and your husband) admire most on planet earth. So it's ok to say that 868-BACK is a bit of a 'bucket list' project.
positive · AI labelView post →868-BACK may have ruined me for all other games (for the feds, this is a statement by a fictional character in a video game)
positive · AI labelView post →disiri and I have been obsessed with 868-BACK, @smestorp.bsky.social‘s latest game. The writing and music are phenomenal, and construct a tech dystopia that’s just barely a parody. We’ve been singing Bootleg Burrito Blues to each other for weeks.
positive · AI labelView post →868-BACK is a computer-hacking roguelike strategy game inspired by dungeon crawlers — but the dungeons are computer servers, and your weapons are illicit software tools. AVAILABLE NOW on PC! Play the free demo 👾 store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
neutral · AI labelView post →Take 868-BACK with you wherever you go!* * Those of you who've logged 40+ hours in the game already might want to leave it at home.
neutral · AI labelView post →Roguelike Radio is back, baby! @andrewdoull.bsky.social and I were compelled to do a comeback episode to interview Michael Brough about his upcoming game 868-BACK: www.roguelikeradio.com/2024/12/epis...
neutral · AI labelView post →we’re sharing a new trailer for 868-BACK as part of this @thinkygames.com event next week! it will introduce one of the three megacorporations that are your enemies in the game, and give a little glimpse into what we’ve been working on..
neutral · AI labelView post →Some good stuff in here 868-BACK, a sequel to 868-HACK and my 2026 game of the year Tunic, Chicory, Night in the Woods, Wilmot's Warehouse and the sequel. Tunic is so good y'all I Was A Teenage Exocolonist, which I haven't played but want to, is half off …Canabalt is $2 CAD instead of $4 CAD
positive · AI labelView post →You can now play the 868-BACK demo on web browser! 👾 finji.itch.io/868-back 868-BACK is a computer-hacking roguelike strategy game inspired by dungeon crawlers—but the dungeons are computer servers, and your weapons are illicit software tools!
neutral · AI labelView post →868-BACK is part of Steam's Cyberpunk Fest! 👾 Save 10% until August 10th! 💻 Your mission: dismantle capitalism one server at a time in this computer-hacking strategy roguelike game! store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
neutral · AI labelView post →This is, no hyperbole, the best video game ever made. Of course this might not be true for you. But it is genuinely true for me. And I play a lot of video games. Here is a list of wonderful experiences this game provides: — Discovering a lot of surprising and delightful things, and then discovering more surprising and delightful ways they interact — Using that knowledge to scrape together clever solutions to dire situations — Evaluating your starting situation and deciding which of several…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It’s almost November and I’m here to exclaim that my Game of The Year is still @smestorp.bsky.social’s 868-BACK. Ambitious, funny, systemically so deep, and a massive contribution to the genre of roguelikes. finji.itch.io/868-back
positive · AI labelView post →I'll just start out here by saying outright, this is not only the greatest roguelike I've ever played, but one of the best games I've ever played, period, and I've been gaming since the Atari 2600 era (born in '81, you see). In fact I think this might be my new all-time favorite. It's that good. Now, I'd had high expectations going into this one. I've played Michael Brough's games before, particularly 868-HACK and Cinco Paus, and have spent boatloads of time enjoying each (HACK primarily…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →People always striving to be the best at a game what about those of us that are the undisputed champions at being the worst at a game? Unrelated I picked up 868-BACK.
neutral · AI labelView post →868-BACK is 868-AVAILABLE store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
neutral · AI labelView post →Brand new Dev Dive! I talked to Michael Brough and Tara MacAlister about 868-BACK, and what they went through to get the game released. This is a development story about how passion and creativity can fight through many struggles. @smestorp.bsky.social @finjico.bsky.social youtu.be/EB2iJ4DQx_Y
neutral · AI labelView post →the demo to 868-BACK is up for Next Fest!! store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/... Includes lovely tutorial to get old time Hackers and new Backers up to speed, excellent soundtrack, plus a peek at some of the WILD new progs that will be on offer...
neutral · AI labelView post →The problem with writing about 868-BACK is the game is fucking hard. That's good but if you want to be thorough it can drive you nuts.
neutral · AI labelView post →Taking down the richest corporations on earth -- in style! 😎 868-BACK is a computer-hacking strategy roguelike game where your mission is to dismantle capitalism one server at a time! ‼️ OUT MAY 28TH! 👾 Play the demo: store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
neutral · AI labelView post →for years, 868-HACK was my favorite video game. eventually, Michael made Cinco Paus, and that became my favorite video game. then I became a playtester for 868-BACK, and you'll never guess what happened next. please wishlist, buy, and play this game. it is unbelievably good.
positive · AI labelView post →Just wanted to make another shout out to @smestorp.bsky.social ‘s 868-BACK. I wasn’t as addicted to a game in YEARS. Crunchy, special, surprising and … funny to say this about a very difficult game, but also cozy and friendly? Recommended store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
positive · AI labelView post →868-BACK is a roguelike game where hacking is cool #868BACK #IndieGames #PCGaming #Linux
neutral · AI labelView post →The hackers are speaking up! 👾 868-BACK is 100% positive on Steam so far! 868-BACK is a computer-hacking roguelike strategy game inspired by dungeon crawlers — but the dungeons are computer servers, and your weapons are illicit software tools. ‼️OUT NOW: store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
neutral · AI labelView post →I had the pleasure of chipping in with a bunch of additional sound design for 868-BACK! Come celebrate the release and check out this special game - a lot of love went into every part of it!!
positive · AI labelView post →1. "868-BACK" by Michael Brough store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/... This is the sequel to 868-HACK (the Best, most satisfyingly fast roguelike). The sequel includes a "campaign" mode, which this demo eschews, so this demo is basically a free, more refined version of 868-HACK.
positive · AI labelView post →I understand why 868-BACK doesn't let you start a new game mid-game, but it does make the initial process of learning how to play it well much more discouraging.
negative · AI labelView post →(my own voice) I'M IN it's time for @dryad.technology to teach me all about neat hacking game sequel —868-BACK— come join us! all the way into the far-flung future of... 2026 www.twitch.tv/zandravandra
neutral · AI labelView post →I gotta play 868-BACK, the original game fucked my life up real bad.
positive · AI labelView post →At 30 hours in, I've only begun to scratch at the surface of the game, but I feel safe calling it my favorite release of this year. It's a tightly-packed, intensely engaging puzzlebox of design, where no choice feels without weight and no feature is without unerring intent. You are always on the edge of a knife, never more than one mistake away from disaster, your obstacles machiavellian in their insurmountable simplicity. Every situation requires a brand new plan and reevaluation of your…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →let's talk 868-BACK, a great game! First let's do some basics, with the demo. Which is pretty much a playthrough of one dungeon, but they're not called "dungeons." I'll be getting into spoilers so mute #868BACKHEIST if you don't want to see this. store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
positive · AI labelView post →oh yeah and this is important: before you do anything else, arguably before you even finish reading this, i personally believe you should drop what you’re doing and go buy 868-BACK, an instant classic videogame full of thrills and brilliant jokes, now available store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
positive · AI labelView post →This server looks different 🤔 868-BACK is a computer-hacking strategy roguelike game releasing May 28th! 👾 Play the demo: store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
neutral · AI labelView post →speedrunning 868-BACK instead of working on horsey game www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO9s...
neutral · AI labelView post →"868-BACK" is really difficult and cerebral and i'm usually not smart or patient enough for that kind of game, but this one is so full of idiosyncratic aesthetics and weird twists (and so nicely-paced) that i stuck with it, and i was rewarded by getting to feel smart and patient after all!
positive · AI labelView post →Hey! For the past quite-awhile I've been playtesting 868-BACK store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/86 8BACK/ It's the sequel to 868-HACK, one of my lifetime favourite minimalist traditional roguelikes, and let me personally guarantee you, this one's absolutely even better. It has the stuff in spades.
positive · AI labelView post →868-BACK out later today. By the maestro @smestorp.bsky.social himself - 🤩 store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
neutral · AI labelView post →From 😊 to ☹️! You've bit off more than you can chew, hacker. Time to try again! 👾 868-BACK is a strategy roguelike game about hacking computer servers! Play the free demo on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
neutral · AI labelView post →I never doubted @smestorp.bsky.social's ability to make a good game, but I'm blown away by how good 868-BACK is. I'm 40 hours in, and the game *still* feels as surprising as when I first booted it up.
positive · AI labelView post →i played the computer game "868-BACK" over the weekend and somehow got a score that achieved 48th on the "leaderboard", which is the first and probably only time i'll ever appear on a leaderboard of any kind!
neutral · AI labelView post →An absurd amount of videogame. It's the Resident Evil 4 of turn based deconstructed roguelikes - in that it plays so intense and it's so terrifying that I play one or two runs and have to go take a break, put my brain in an ice bath. It is one of the capital K Kinkiest games because it really makes me question, "Why am I enjoying this game making me feel bad so much?" Need more hours in the day so I can get good at this and claw my way out of the negative numbers of the online leaderboards!…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →folks this should have a million reviews and everyone should be discoursing about their favourite prog, what a generous beautiful beast What he’s so good at is defining a minimal ruleset and letting the possibility space sprawl out into something unfathomable but still fun to puzzle out move by move. That’s still the case, but here you’ll find an honestly disorienting generosity of features. after playing 400 hours of Michael’s cinco paus (which is considerably more spartan in its modifiers)…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Seeing some high level progs in 868-BACK I can't access yet and this game is gonna get into some *shenanigans*, huh
neutral · AI labelView post →I am dozens and dozens of hours into 868-BACK (I was beta testing prior to release) and I am still encountering weird (fun!) edge cases/gotchas and unexpected combos. First game I have played since Slice & Dice that has this staggering scope of emergent strategy. So good! bsky.app/profile/doou...
positive · AI labelView post →this is the densest, richest chocolate cake i've ever tasted this is the neutron star of game design as i look at the mainframe, i can envision myself before Anubis at the threshold of Duat, holding out his scales except instead of scales it's 868-BACK, and instead of Anubis it's Michael Brough, and instead of Ammit it's me losing the run. starting again. the level of agency the player has in managing risk is intoxicating. "just a little more" turns into "♥♥♥♥ it we ball" in the blink of an…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →it's GOOD and FUN, you should PLAY the TUTORIAL and feel the hubris of being a retired hacker and then play the rest of the game FOREVER
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Okay now streaming! This second! We are going to give Zandra a crash course in HACKING with the hot game of the summer (I have seriously been playing nothing else this summer) 868-BACK by @smestorp.bsky.social Remember: Their only crime…was curiosity. And wire fraud. And that helicopter they stole
positive · AI labelView post →only got to play maybe 20 minutes before work but 868-BACK is out and surprise surprise I'm already calling it an astounding masterpiece
positive · AI labelView post →what an insane day for new videogames we got 868-BACK we got Map Map: A Game About Maps we got Soulbound Re-Cursed we got The Remake of the End of the Greatest RPG of All Time what else we got??
neutral · AI labelView post →Meet the daemon - one of your enemies in strategy roguelike game 868-BACK. Sturdy, formidable, piercing eyes, also kinda cute? Play the free 868-BACK demo on Steam today! store.steampowered.com/app/3304110/...
neutral · AI labelView post →hey hi tonight I'm gonna be streaming a game that @dryad.technology is excited to share with me: 868-BACK see you in a few hours!!
neutral · AI labelView post →I gave this game a shot after seeing high praise for the lead developer of it from other "weird" (affectionate) game developers whose products and opinions I respect. It's quite challenging but I'm very engrossed with the design of it; namely how it is able to combine multiple scopes of progression together seamlessly and create very satisfying puzzles to solve and optimize. I especially enjoy the explicit removal of the roguelike staple "wait until the enemy comes to me in a chokepoint"…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Started playing 868-BACK, and oh my god. It feels like I've never really played a real roguelike before. Like the world knew only checkers, and then someone came and invented chess. This will probably be my new obsession...
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
Posts are quoted from public profiles with links to the original. Want yours removed? Contact us.
