Here's how the help file describes the game's setting: "In the game of Decker, you are a hacker who specializes in breaking into corporate computer systems, for which you are handsomely paid. Of course, these corporations don�t idly sit by and allow you free run of their systems. The systems are guarded by Intrusion Countermeasure programs (ICE), which attempt to kick you out of the system, or possibly even kill you."

The in-game 'hacking' is interpreted in an abstract manner. When you hack into a system, you enter the 'matrix', which is a representation of the computer system. In the matrix, you are represented by a character of your choice, and you'll move about the interconnected nodes of the matrix, which are like rooms. These nodes may contain features such as CPUs, I/O nodes and file servers which you can interact with. But you won't be able to freely hack your way around the matrix. ICE programs will obstruct your passage, and attack you if they detect that you are hostile.

You'll have to make use of your skills and your cyberdeck to get past the ICEs and achieve your objective. Successful completion of missions will earn you skill points with which to upgrade your skills, as well as cash. Your skills include Attack, Defence, Stealth and Analysis, and they will affect how you approach each mission. Hackers who are strong in Attack and Defence might choose to crash the ICEs that get in their way, whereas Stealthy players would be better suited to avoiding confrontation altogether. Analysis helps in finding the weaknesses of ICEs, so that you will have an advantage over them. As such, you'll have to carefully choose the programs to load into your limited cyberdeck memory. Strategic planning is well rewarded.

The game plays out very much like an RPG, and each hacking assignment feels like a dungeon romp. 'Aesthetic' elements such as the names of programs and ICEs lend flavour to the game, although a main storyline or 'quest' would've been welcome. Still, the game doesn't get old quick, as the matrix for each assignment is randomly generated, similar to a roguelike. You'll keep on playing just to earn enough money for the next upgrade, or to reach the next hacker rating. Decker is a unique cross between hacking games and RPGs, and that alone makes it worth checking out.