868-BACK: A Deep Dive into Michael Brough’s Latest Hacking Roguelike

If you have been looking for a roguelike with genuine strategic depth, 868-BACK is a title that demands your attention. Released on May 28, 2026, this computer-hacking strategy game from developer Michael Brough serves as a spiritual successor to his previous work, 868-HACK. Despite being a follow-up, it stands on its own, offering a modern experience that doesn't require any prior knowledge of the original to jump into the action.

Dismantling Corporations, One Node at a Time

The premise of 868-BACK is simple but effective: you play as a hacker infiltrating the servers of the world’s wealthiest corporations. The gameplay plays out like a dungeon crawl, where server nodes act as the rooms you explore. You navigate these tiles using a turn-based system, utilizing various software tools as weapons to clear sectors and defeat the increasingly difficult waves of enemies that spawn to stop you.

The core of the challenge lies in its risk-versus-reward loop. You can siphon data from special blocks to acquire new tools, but doing so triggers a flood of extra enemies. Players must constantly weigh the desire for better gear against the risk of being disconnected—and effectively killed—if they overstay their welcome in a server.

A Steep Learning Curve

While the game’s aesthetic and tutorial might suggest a simple tile-based puzzler, 868-BACK is far more complex. The tutorial provides only the absolute basics, leaving the rest of the discovery process to the player. It is a game defined by trial and error, requiring you to master its systems to find the "flow" of a successful hack. As you progress, the game introduces 3D shifts and varied enemy patterns, keeping the experience fresh and challenging even after hours of play.

In a recent blog post, developer Michael Brough expressed his hopes for the title: "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."