Escape First 3

Escape First 3 is a cooperative escape room game that offers a mix of challenging puzzles and immersive environments. Players generally appreciate the game's atmosphere, sound design, and the cleverness of the riddles, especially when played with friends. The game features three distinct maps, each with its own storyline and setting, contributing to a sense of progression and adventure. However, the game is marred by technical issues such as frequent bugs, item clipping, and awkward controls, which can disrupt gameplay and cause frustration.

Multiplayer mode is a highlight but also a source of complaints, with some players experiencing synchronization problems and limitations on the number of players who can effectively participate. Despite these flaws, the game is considered good value for money, especially for fans of the genre, though replayability is limited and some puzzles may feel unintuitive or disconnected. Overall, it shows improvement over previous titles but still has room for refinement.

Highlights

Players praise the game's challenging and creative puzzles that offer a rewarding experience, especially in cooperative play. The atmospheric environments and improved graphics compared to earlier series entries enhance immersion. The storyline is subtle but present, adding depth to the escape rooms. The sound design and ambient music contribute significantly to the mood. The game is noted for its good value, providing several hours of engaging gameplay at a reasonable price. Developer responsiveness to bug reports and willingness to support players is also appreciated.

Overall, the mix of puzzle complexity, visual improvements, and cooperative gameplay mechanics are the most celebrated aspects.

Criticisms

Technical issues are the most common complaint among players. Bugs such as items teleporting between players, clipping through objects, and puzzles that become unsolvable due to desynchronization are frequent. Controls, particularly in VR, are often described as clunky and unintuitive, with no save function adding to player frustration. Multiplayer can be problematic, with some players unable to see or interact properly with others. The puzzles sometimes feel disconnected or rely on trial and error rather than logical deduction. The game is also criticized for limited replayability and relatively short duration. Lack of instructions or tutorials further hampers the experience for new players.