The skill system is tedious and the control scheme is either the product of a sadist or a retard. The crafting system is too primitive - most items are useless. Good concept but the execution is clunky and can be frustrating - from what I've read this seems to be a cut back version of what is available Good concept but the execution is clunky and can be frustrating - from what I've read this seems to be a cut back version of what is available on the PC. Patience is certainly going to be needed get the most out of The Escapists, and I imagine many will find it all a little too frustrating (as I did), but those willing to spend the time learning the games systems and the layouts of the prisons will find there is plenty to enjoy here.

At one point I even ended up stuck inside a room (why give the keys an odd number of uses!?) and was forced to reload the whole day. Further frustration is added by the fact that any keys moulded only have a set number of uses, should you use them on a couple of doors that don’t aid your escape you’ve basically wasted your time and have to go through the whole process of stealing and moulding the key all over again. Unfortunately, even when you buy a hint as to what item to craft, there is no clue as to where and when you can use many of these items and this can lead to a lot of wandering aimlessly around hoping to stumble upon an answer (if there even is one – some crafted items aren’t even needed at times!). There are dozens of items that can be found/stolen from around the prison, many of which can be combined to create new weapons with which to defend yourself or items to aid in your escape. A big part of escaping is crafting items for example. Trying to plan your escape whilst having to minimise suspicion by following the prisons schedule, including attending meals and roll call, gives The Escapists a unique edge but it is very easy to get completely stuck for a solution on occasions. Other than a few hints, which can be paid for with currency earned from working a prison job or doing favours for other inmates, little to no guidance is offered to the player and this freedom is both liberating and frustrating in almost equal measure. Each of the games levels (prisons) offers an intricate open world playground for players to first learn, then try to figure out how best to escape from. Each of the games levels (prisons) offers an intricate open I imagine The Escapists is one of those titles that will greatly divide opinion. I imagine The Escapists is one of those titles that will greatly divide opinion. What about working diligently in your prison job, to gain promotions to new jobs with better benefits? Keep a low profile or go out all guns blazing, as long as you escape in the end, thats all that matters The downloadable version of this game supports English, French, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian. Do you do favours for other inmates earning money and boosting their opinion of you along the way? Or workout and become stronger? Read to increase your skills or spend your time crafting items into homemade weapons and tools. You may not be in an open prison, but you are in an open world where in between attending rollcalls, mealtimes and doing your chores you should grab every chance to plan your escape. (Dont say the word execution too loud in a prison). Whilst the aim of the game is simply to escape, the detail is in the execution.

(Dont say the word execution too loud in a The Escapists is an award winning prison break simulation that provides players the opportunity of experiencing a light-hearted insight into everyday prison life. Summary: The Escapists is an award winning prison break simulation that provides players the opportunity of experiencing a light-hearted insight into everyday prison life.

Crafting guide for the escapists