The Escapists 2
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The Escapists 2 is a 2017 top-down strategy game co-developed by Mouldy Toof Studios and Team17, and published by Team17 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux and macOS. The Nintendo Switch version was released in 2018, and a mobile version in 2019 as The Escapists 2: Pocket Breakout. The game was made on Unity engine.
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 and dummies to confuse guards.
Once the player character is caught, all progress is lost and the inmate is put into solitary confinement.
Comparing to its predecessors, the game has a larger variety of prisons, including prisoner transport vehicles and incarceration facilities set in space.
The game features an expanded combat system which allows players to lock onto targets, block and perform light and heavy attacks.
The game features both local and online cooperative multiplayer. Two players can assist each other when the player characters are escaping prison. The competitive multiplayer pits four players against each other and the player who breaks out from the confinement facility fastest wins the game.
Why It Rocks
- Amazing graphics.
- The co-op mode has been introduced.
- Other escape methods have been introduced. For example, you can get into a helicopter, take yourself in the trash and escape with a jetpack, and more.
- Compared to the first game (applies to the PC version), the combat system consists of hitting, just like in modern games, saving health. Unlike its predecessor, there is a system to avoid attacks.
- Great soundtrack. For example, in Rattlesnake Springs there is music like wild west climates and in U.S.S. Anomaly in space climates. In the map Precinct 17, it received a remastered soundtrack from the first game.
- The sound effects have ceased to be limited as in the Game Boy or NES era (only applies to the PC version), and more realistic ones have been introduced.
- The guard's artificial intelligence has been improved and they don't get mad for a little reason.
- The mini-game has been introduced while you want to increase the level of intelligence, and even when doing job (on painting, plumbing, kitchen, and engineering), where unlike its predecessor, the mini-game only occurred in increasing strength and speed.
- The minimap appears, where you can see where the guards and inmates are, works, rooms and generators.
- Unique prisons were introduced. You can escape from the space prison, wild west, military base Area 51 (changed to 17 here, which refers to the publisher's name), and even vehicles such as train, ship, and plane.
- The crafting has been simplified which for beginners can not be frustrating.
- The custom character option has been introduced. You can change hair, hats, masks, beards, mustaches and glasses. You can even change the guard's and another inmate's appearance.
- The prisons received floors, ceasing to limit themselves to one.
- Many other interesting jobs have been added.
Bad Qualities
- Unfinished map editor.
- Between the desk and toilet was the infamous glitch in which one could go the whole map. Fortunately, the bug has been fixed since the 1.13. version.
- Speaking about the singleplayer mode, unlike the first game, unfortunately time doesn't stop when you are looking through desks, where you want to craft the item, and looking at your, guard's, and other inmate's statistics. It only works during pausing.
Reception
The game received generally positive reviews from critics according to review aggregator Metacritic. The Switch version received mixed reviews. PC and PlayStation 4 version received 75/100, Xbox One version received 77/100 and Nintendo Switch version received 73/100.
Like its predecessor, the game has generally received a positive reception from audience.
Trivia
- In the game as inmates or guards, there are YouTubers/Streamers who have received the beta version to test before release. There are:
- JackSepticeye
- Roarke Suibhne
- Mandzio
- Martyn Littlewood (InTheLittleWood)
- Staszek iGRAszek (now Staszek iGRAszkowski)
- Paul Soares JR
- DanTDM
- iRaphahell
- Shambles11
- CinnamonToastKen
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