The Escapists 2
" Engaging indie simulation strategy with creative prison escapes and multiplayer, but buggy controls "
The Escapists 2 Review
The Escapists 2 is widely praised for its engaging and improved gameplay compared to its predecessor. Players appreciate the clear tutorials and the introduction of Transport Prisons, which enhance the learning curve and make escapes more accessible and enjoyable. The variety of prisons, including creative ones like Rattlesnake Springs with unique escape routes, adds depth to the experience. Multiplayer mode is highlighted as a fun and social feature, encouraging cooperative escapes with friends. The game’s graphics are considered a notable improvement over the first installment, contributing to a more immersive experience. However, some players find the controls and menus unintuitive, which can hinder enjoyment, especially for solo play. Technical issues such as crashes and controller bugs have been reported, impacting the overall experience for some. Despite these flaws, The Escapists 2 is recommended for fans of strategy and sandbox escape games seeking a unique and replayable challenge.
Highlights
Players particularly praise the game's improved tutorial system and the innovative Transport Prisons that facilitate learning escape mechanics. The creative level design, especially in prisons like Rattlesnake Springs, offers diverse and clever escape routes. Multiplayer mode is highly regarded for its cooperative gameplay and unique escape scenarios, such as the UFO escape in Area 17. The game’s graphics are seen as a significant upgrade from the original, enhancing visual appeal. Overall, the gameplay mechanics are considered fun, strategic, and rewarding, making it a standout in the prison escape genre.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the game's sometimes clunky and confusing controls, which can frustrate solo players. Some find the menus unintuitive and lacking customization options, such as changing player names. Technical issues like frequent crashes and bugs, especially with controller support, detract from the experience. Additionally, certain players feel the escape routes are too linear, limiting creative freedom. The crafting system is viewed as weak, with many items deemed useless. A few users also mention that the game can become repetitive after completing initial prisons, and some wish for more challenging or longer escape sequences.
Pros
- • Clear and helpful tutorial system eases new players into complex mechanics.
- • Transport Prisons provide practical escape challenges and improve learning.
- • Creative and diverse prison designs keep gameplay fresh and engaging.
- • Multiplayer mode adds fun cooperative escapes with friends.
- • Improved graphics enhance the visual experience over the first game.
- • Strategic gameplay allows for multiple approaches to escaping.
- • Unique escape scenarios like UFO escape add excitement.
Cons
- • Controls and menus can be confusing and unintuitive for some players.
- • Technical issues including crashes and controller bugs persist.
- • Escape routes often feel linear, limiting creative freedom.
- • Crafting system is weak with many useless items.
- • Repetitive gameplay after completing initial prisons.
- • Lack of customization options such as player name changes.
- • Some players find solo play less enjoyable than multiplayer.
Rating Criteria
Craft, Steal, Brawl and Escape! It’s time to bust out of the toughest prisons in the world as you return to the life of an inmate in The Escapists 2, now with multiplayer! Have you got what it takes to escape?
