The Escapists

Not many video games can capture that heist escape fantasy we’ve all dreamt of carrying out. Considering the lack of options among games, it was a surprise for us when we came across The Escapists, a game that does everything in its power to convince you that you have a chance of making it out of prison.

Story and Setting

If you’ve ever wondered what life must be like in prison, The Escapists makes an attempt to answer that question by doing a comical job. This strategic sandbox game is one that tosses you into the shoes of a prisoner vying to make a daring escape. You’ll have a lot to contend with as you try to figure out the best possible strategies to use for your escape attempts.

The Escapists might seem full of life and look like something with a scripted story, but this game is actually one that completely leaves the adventure in your hands. You create your own future by adapting to the rules of this world, and believe us… there are rules.

Gameplay

The Escapists has an interesting gameplay loop that mostly centers on your self-made strategies that you may come up with for a daring escape. Whatever you choose to do, you can be sure that the game has an answer in some form or another. Therefore, you’ll need to craft lots of items, make interesting combinations and do what it takes to secure freedom.

In terms of maneuvers, the AI for prison guards is quite smart. Don’t be fooled by the cutesy pixel art style. If you have carefully concocted a plan, you’ll have to be sure that you’re able to dodge whatever may come up to stop your escape attempt. That includes the guards. You can do this by studying the routine in your prison. Learning how to fool the guards can sometimes feel akin to a game of Among Us, using cunning alibis to trick them.

There is a total of 6 prisons in the game, each with their own quirks and similarities. If you’re playing in a specific facility, it’s nice to learn the patterns and know how to deviate from them. Guards can be extremely ruthless, but they are only extremely reactive according to the levels on your heat meter. If you’re wondering what the heat meter entails, it is basically a way for the game to let you know how close you are to receiving intense reaction from the guards. The heat meter works in a similar way to the 5-star police rating system from Grand Theft Auto V.

Create the perfect escape

If you get a heat meter of over 90%, you’re going to get the full-fledged brutal treatment consisting of swinging batons and some deep bruises. Fear not though, as your cunning strategy can triumph over the possible repercussions. The Escapists demands planning, and there are options including swiping spoons from the mess hall, stealing from roommates, sabotaging other inmates. As long as you can secure your freedom, anything goes.

Pros

• Nice sandbox for creativity
• Suitably challenging

Cons

• Can feel dull sometimes
• Vague on what to do