Feel like a true hacker in s.p.l.i.t, available now on PC
I’ve always had a soft spot for games that simulate a computer screen. s.p.l.i.t is a rather different take, however, simulating an old-fashioned MS-DOS style environment. Flicking between a few different screens, you’ll engage in an instant message conversation and navigate a computer system to extract the information you need. All in the name of pulling off a malware attack. But it must be for a good reason, right?
s.p.l.i.t is a short game, taking around 30 minutes to complete — if you know what you’re doing. If you’re anything like me, though, you’ll spend way more than that trying to get your head around the prompts and commands you need to successfully type into your computer to get the data you need. It’s a very authentic experience, and if you’re familiar with programming in any capacity, you’ll probably find success in s.p.l.i.t comes much easier than it would otherwise.
There’s a seriously eerie atmosphere to s.p.l.i.t that really helps keep you immersed in the game’s world. Even when you leave your computer screen to look at the device you’re trying to hack, when typing prompts is replaced with typing the words that randomly appear on your screen, you’re never taken out of the immersion. It’s effective, and leaves you on edge, like you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen.
It’s a little difficult to get your head around, but if you’re paying attention to the commands on your screen, you’ll likely figure out what you need to do. And even getting just one step closer — getting a new set of instructions on screen, or accessing a new area of your system — feels like a big win. Even if you soon hit another brick wall. You’ve got past it once, so you can do it again.
Some players might find s.p.l.i.t tricky in that you cannot use a controller or even a mouse: everything is fully controlled with your keyboard. Whether you’re typing a command, pressing Alt and a letter or hitting Pg Up and Pg Dn to revisit previous instructions, you really do feel like you’re navigating an ancient computer system. Reaching for your mouse feels like the natural thing to do, but you’ll soon get use to not having a cursor.
The best thing about s.p.l.i.t? It will only cost you £2.49/$2.99. It may be short, but it’s worth every penny thanks to its ingenuity, clever ideas and seriously impressive atmosphere. If you enjoy using your noggin and like games that have you navigating a computer system, it’s well worth your time.
