The Escapists 2

The Escapists 2 is a strategy role-playing video game developed by Mouldy Toof Studios and published by Team17. It is the sequel to The Escapists (2015) and it was released worldwide for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in August 2017. Nintendo Switch and mobile phones versions were released in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

The Escapists 2
Developer(s)Mouldy Toof Studios
Team17
Publisher(s)Team17
Designer(s)James Witcomb
EngineUnity
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
macOS
Linux
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Nintendo Switch
iOS
Android
ReleaseWindows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
August 22, 2017
Nintendo Switch
January 11, 2018
iOS, Android
January 31, 2019
Genre(s)Strategy, role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

In the game, players assume control of an inmate from a top-down perspective. The inmate must follow daily routines in the prison while at the same time, complete quests for fellow inmates and seek out opportunities to escape. The Escapists 2 features a crafting system which allows players to craft items like shovels, tasers[1] and dummies to confuse guards.[2] Once the player character is caught, all progress is lost and the inmate is put into solitary confinement.[3] Comparing to its predecessors, the game has a larger variety of prisons, including prisoner transport vehicles and incarceration facilities set in space. There are also more customization options for the player character. The game features an expanded combat system which allows players to lock onto targets, block and perform light and heavy attacks.[4]

The game features both local and online cooperative multiplayer. Two players can assist each other when the player characters are escaping prison.[5] The competitive multiplayer pits four players against each other and the player who breaks out from the confinement facility fastest wins the game.[6]

Development

Mouldy Toof Studios created The Escapists 2 in conjunction with Team17. The team listened to feedback from players who have played the first game and identified multiplayer as the most requested feature. Since the first game's code would have needed to be substantially rewritten to incorporate such features, the team decided to create a new game instead. The team wanted to introduce something new to players. Therefore, many systems were expanded to become more complex, and the prisons featured in the game are multi-storied.[7]

Team05 announced the game on October 3, 2016.[8] It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on August 22, 2017.[9] Team17 then released the game on Nintendo Switch on January 16, 2018.[10] The game was released for iOS and Android on January 31, 2019 as The Escapists 2: Pocket Breakout.[11] Several downloadable content packs were released for the game. These include "Big Top Breakout", "Dungeons and Duct Tape" and "Wicked Ward", all of which introduce a new prison map.[12] Sold Out served as the game's distributor for the retail version of the game for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.[13]

Reception

The game received generally positive reviews from critics according to review aggregator Metacritic.[15] The Switch version received mixed reviews.[17]

References
  1. Phillips, Tom (July 11, 2017). "The Escapists 2 announced, introduces multiplayer". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  2. Mundy, Jon (February 11, 2019). "The Escapists 2 review - "A fine sandbox game that can't quite escape its past"". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  3. Grayson, Nathan (August 23, 2017). "The Escapists 2 Starts With Prison Breaks, Then Gets A Lot Weirder". Kotaku. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  4. Harrdence, Mike (January 11, 2018). "The Escapists 2 Switch launch trailer makes a break for it". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  5. Donelly, Jon (July 11, 2017). "The Escapists 2 release date set". PC Gamer. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  6. Wallace, Kimberly (August 22, 2017). "The Escapists 2 Review: Escape From Prison Without Losing Your Sanity". Game Informer. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  7. Corture, Joel (August 23, 2017). "Boosting complexity (and absurdity) of prison breaks in The Escapists 2". Gamasutra. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  8. O'Connor, Alice (October 3, 2016). "The Escapists 2 Tunneling Into 2017". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  9. Phillips, Tom (July 11, 2017). "The Escapists 2 carves out a release date". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  10. Craddock, Ryan (December 19, 2017). "The Escapists 2 Will Break Out on Switch Next Month". Nintendo Life. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  11. Cowley, Ric (January 17, 2019). "The Escapists 2 is breaking out of Android and iOS from January 31st". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  12. Craddock, Ryan (November 15, 2018). "The Escapists 2 Has Just Received Three New DLC Packs On Switch". Nintendo Life. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  13. "The Escapists 2 to break into retail this summer thanks to Sold Out and Team17". MCVUK. June 8, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  14. "The Escapists 2 for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  15. "The Escapists 2 for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  16. "The Escapists 2 for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  17. "The Escapists 2 for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
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