Summary
- Hacking in open-world games often involves fun minigames, usually in the form of logic and number-based puzzles.
- Games like GTA 5 and Saints Row 4 feature hacking in important missions.
- Hacking mechanics in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided assist with stealth and offer diverse abilities.
Hacking is a somewhat mysterious practice to most of the general public, often portrayed in popular culture as a miraculous and fast-paced process that is akin to technical wizardry. Video games have run with this fantasy, utilizing hacking as a mechanic to gain access to new areas or simply manipulate the world in some way.
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On many occasions, there are satisfying minigames that players must complete to succeed in a hack, which are usually in the form of simple logic or number-based puzzles. These are some of the best open-world games for feeling like a hacker, ranked based on a combination of their fun factor and just how important hacking is to the overall gameplay experience.
Saints Row 4
Take Control Of Stores & The Simulation
Saints Row 4
- Released
- August 20, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
Introduced in the “Hack the World” mission, hacking is quite an important mechanic in Saints Row 4, as the titular Third Street Saints seek to take control of the simulation from the Zin. When initiating store hacking, players are presented with a 4x4 grid (6x6 later), an entrance point, an exit point, and several nodes to complete the circuit, often with multiple potential solutions.
Though the superhuman protagonist may appear invincible at times, they can still take damage while hacking, so time is of the essence. While it resembles real hacking in no way, it's still an incredibly satisfying minigame, which is very effective in disrupting the simulated world.
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
Optional Hacking To Gain More Intel On Abstergo
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
- Released
- October 29, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The modern-day sections are often viewed as a bit of a sour point in the Assassin's Creed series, since most players just want to get to the historical settings and eliminate some sinister figures. Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag offers some fun optional content in the Abstergo headquarters in present-day Montreal, where players may hack into office computers to gain some extra information.
There are three different minigames presented when hacking computers, from guiding a glowing dot around a sphere or through a Frogger-style obstacle course to a prime number-based multiplication puzzle. Some players find these puzzles a little frustrating, but after the first few hacks that are part of the story, the rest are completely optional.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Hacking Is A Key Component Of Many Missions
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Throughout the runtime of the absolute juggernaut game that is Grand Theft Auto 5, some missions require hacking, either as part of setting up a heist or actively participating in such a job. Sometimes hacking is done automatically from the current player-character's smartphone, but often an interactive minigame opens that must be completed within a time limit.
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These games usually involve finding the right numbers or letters to unlock some devices, or it can be Lester's Circuit Breaker, where a constantly moving line must be guided through a maze to the exit without touching the sides. GTA Online includes many more instances of hacking during various jobs.
SCUM
Quick Calculations Under Pressure
SCUM
- Released
- June 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Croteam, Gamepires
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC
When fighting for survival in the rough and tough world of SCUM, the last thing that many players would expect is rapid mathematical calculations, but such is the way when trying to gain access to Abandoned Bunkers. The game may contain many destructive weapons, some of which may be found in these aforementioned bunkers, but the best weapon for hacking is the human brain.
It takes a bit of practice to understand how the totals are reached, since the formula does not follow conventional mathematical principles; rather, the sum is solved by gradually manipulating sums from top to bottom. Sometimes key cards may be found elsewhere on the island, meaning this hacking minigame can sometimes be bypassed entirely.
Batman Arkham City
Unlock Doors, Shut Down Security & Uncover Secrets
Batman: Arkham City
- Released
- October 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Rocksteady Studios
- Platform(s)
- PS3, PC, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch
The Dark Knight is renowned for his prowess in melee combat and state-of-the-art gadgetry, which are once again on offer in Batman: Arkham City. One such fancy gadget is the Cryptographic Sequencer, allowing Batman to hack various terminals and panels scattered throughout the crime-ridden city.
When finding an access panel, a small minigame opens on the Caped Crusader's device, in which the two analog sticks must be rotated to the correct positions to decipher a hidden message. This allows Batman to unlock doors, gain access to restricted areas, take control of security systems, and find secrets that the Riddler has hidden.
Sleeping Dogs
Take Over Surveillance Cameras & Bust Drug Dealers
Sleeping Dogs
- Released
- August 14, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- United Front Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC
Over a decade since its release, Sleeping Dogs remains an underrated gem with solid melee combat, an intriguing plot, and some worthwhile side quests. As part of Wei Shen's police work, he can hack security cameras in known criminal hotspots around Hong Kong, utilizing those hand-to-hand combat skills to beat up the thugs who frequent the area in the process.
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A fun logic puzzle bearing a resemblance to Wordle, but with four numbers, then appears on-screen and must be solved to gain access to the cameras. In the comfort of his apartment, Wei can then call the shots, notify law enforcement that a drug deal is taking place, and then bear witness as the dealer is apprehended.
Fallout 4
Click The Correct Word To Access Terminals
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Hacking is something that the Sole Survivor will have ample opportunity to practice throughout their adventure in Fallout 4. Terminals are scattered all around the Commonwealth, and even more are available to access in the various stellar DLC expansions on offer.
If the character has a higher intelligence level, then hacking will be an easier prospect with fewer words to choose from. Wrong guesses will at least provide a prompt saying how many letters are correct, making the right answer easier to work out with each guess. Clicking bracket symbols also alters things, either removing wrong answers or resetting the number of guesses available before being locked out of the terminal.
Cyberpunk 2077
One Of The Best Aspects Of Gameplay
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Despite its tumultuous beginnings, Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the finest RPGs on the market today, and hacking is just one part of what makes it a great game. Breach protocol is a key part of many missions, which is used to hack into access points and some encrypted shards, opening an interface where alphanumerical characters must be clicked in the correct sequential order, providing V with Eurodollars and crafting components when successful.
The best part of hacking in the game is Quickhacks during combat, which can be used to assist with stealth, take control of cameras and turrets, shut down such security measures altogether, or directly affect enemies in potentially gruesome ways. When their cyberdeck has enough RAM, V can even remotely take control of cars.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Hacks Assist With Stealth & A Non-Lethal Approach
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
- Released
- August 23, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Eidos Montreal
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
A key activity that Adam Jensen will often do in the dystopian city of Prague in 2029 is hacking. Much like its predecessors, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided prominently features futuristic technology, and Adam can unlock augmentations to make hacking an even easier prospect.
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The hacking minigame starts out with a blue crystal on a three-dimensional map, on which the player must then figure out a way to link together the green nodes before being detected. Certain moves can increase the risk of capture, but taking risky moves can sometimes grant bonus XP or credits. This and remote hacking are useful for stealth, gaining access to new areas, and shutting down security protocols, plus they can be used to take down drones and hack vehicles.
Watch Dogs 2
Manipulate The World With A Click
Watch Dogs 2
- Released
- November 15, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action, Adventure
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
In the series all about hacking and the power it can yield, Watch Dogs 2 is generally regarded as the best in terms of its hacking gameplay. If Marcus Holloway wishes to avoid law enforcement in the high-surveillance San Francisco area, he has to rely on his hacking skills for multiple useful purposes.
At the click of a button on his phone, Marcus can easily cause total chaos, from blowing up electrical hubs and moving cars into precarious positions to altering data to make NPCs appear to be criminals. It can also be used to cause distractions, bypass security, and access new areas. Reaching a higher level means access to more powerful hacking tools and abilities, with a vast array of compelling possibilities.
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