Mainlining is a police investigation drama that plays out through the retro style Windows XP desktop of your cyber crimes computer. You pursue criminals and hackers by following leads to websites, hacking into computers, and collecting evidence to make arrests.

The gameplay has you using a faux desktop complete with web browser, downloading files, and using the police instant messenger to coordinate with the other agents (all scripted of course). Arresting a criminal requires several key pieces of information which you can gather through hacking websites and investigating the contents. The game can be a little buggy but has some interesting ideas and the usual twists as you follow the investigation with the stakes constantly getting raised. The story isn't doing anything new and follows the usual tropes but it's a fun ride.

I'm a fan of these hacking simulator games, and playing as a 'good guy' was a nice change of pace. Plus the episode to episode gameplay loop is fun with the desktop graphics and art being a nice change of pace compared to the command line gimmicks every other hacking game wants to employ.

Overall a fun game that doesn't really push the envelope, but its good for one play through if you're into the hacking puzzle genre.