The Escapists Reviews

gotta be fast. very complicated but rewarding

This gameplay is amazing. Graphics are so satisfying. I am IN LOVE with this game. So, so, so addictive.

I used this game to escape prison irl for trafficking fertilizr 10/10

A Great Concept, But Poor Execution I’ve owned this game for a long time, and every now and then, I come back to it, hoping I’ll finally enjoy it. The concept is incredibly appealing, I want to like it. But every time I try, I just can’t. Here’s why. Frustrating Durability System: Item durability is absurdly low. Imagine buying a screwdriver from a hardware store, only for it to break after unscrewing just four screws. That manufacturer would go out of business instantly! Even if it were a makeshift tool (which it isn’t), real-life improvised screwdrivers aren’t this flimsy. Instead of focusing on planning and escaping, you’re stuck in an endless cycle of grinding for the same easily-breakable items over and over. That’s not engaging, it’s tedious. Guards & Watchtowers Feel Unfair: Guards wake up way too quickly, and from what I can tell, you can’t even hide their bodies. You can’t permanently take them out, and if you loot them, they instantly report you. Combine that with watchtowers that snipe you with near-aimbot precision instantly from across the map, sometimes seemingly out of nowhere, and it creates an experience that feels more frustrating than strategic. Never Made It Past the First Level: I don’t even remember how much I paid for this game whether it was full price or on sale but regardless, I never got past the first level. Technically, I might have gotten my "money's worth" in terms of playtime, but I never enjoyed that time. And before anyone says it’s a skill issue I’ve beaten plenty of strategy and stealth games on their hardest difficulties. This game just doesn’t click. Holding Out Hope for The Escapists 2 That said, I love the idea behind this game, which is why I picked up The Escapists 2 on a deep discount. If it fixes these issues and maybe even includes the first game’s levels it could finally be the experience I was hoping for. Maybe prison architect's escape mode is better aswell, I own that game aswell but never gave it a proper try. Fingers crossed!

Beware, Linux users; I played this game's native version regularly for the past two weeks and my save data randomly got sent to banworld [b]twice[/b]. On the second prison. Proton versions are less polished; seeing text phases out of their boxes and a worse framerate turned me off from trying any other. If you don't want to constantly back up your saves, then don't bother.

I ways come back to this game or watch its lets plays online - team 17 are great for these gems! If you enjoy puzzles and a game thats easy to pick up and enjoy in your free time then give this ago its defo a game to try before you go to jail forever ;)

The pace of the game is too fast for my taste, and I feel like the mechanics should have been explored a bit more in a longer tutorial. After that, the players could have been left to explore and discover the rest.

The game is just tedious. Simple improvements that would massively improve the game include but are not limited to: An inter-game recipe book (You could still unlock them o.c, but you wouldn't have to RE-learn after leaving the game for some time), A normal saving system (that doesn't force you through that last day for any sort of break or experimentation), and more to do (the escapes are pretty basic, spare the unique ones. The second game improves on this a bit but not much.) Just watch it on Youtube and don't torture yourself with the achievements.

fun game, can piss you off sometimes with cell checks on your room every morning and night for 3 days in a row sometimes but it makes you learn to hide stuff in different places

Overall: 7/10 The Escapists 1 and 2 each have their own strengths, making it difficult to declare a definitive "better" game. After playing both of them, I can confidently say that each offers something unique. Neither game really holds your hand past the basics, but once you've played both for a while and start to understand the general gameplay, there's some clear differences. This game has a much grittier feel, with a raw, unforgiving design that forces you to truly think outside the box. Escapes are far less streamlined, meaning you must problem-solve extensively, figuring out creative ways to bypass guards, chip through walls, and sneak past security. In contrast, The Escapists 2 simplifies much of this process with a few scripted escape routes per prison. Most of the time, all you need to do is open the crafting menu, farm desks (or short quests for coins to buy items) for the required map-specific items, and you're set. While this obviously isn't as easy as it sounds for every single prison, AND it makes for a smoother, more accessible experience, it does also strip away some of the creativity and challenge that makes this game right here feel so engaging. That being said, as much charm as I've found in The Escapists 1, I personally feel that The Escapists 2 undeniably offers a higher level of polish, with improved visuals, a better UI, AND multiplayer support, making it the more refined experience overall. If you prefer a more difficult, strategic experience that demands careful planning, this game is absolutely the better choice. However, if you're looking for something more casual, structured, and visually modern, The Escapists 2 is likely the way to go. Ultimately, both are great games for different reasons. It all comes down to personal preference, but if you're new to the series, I'd recommend starting with The Escapists 2; it’s more user-friendly and welcoming, whereas this game can feel quite punishing and outdated by today’s standards.