Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 73 | 17 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 90% | 84 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 98% | 94 | 9 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 26 reviews sampled · 26 total reviews in window · weighted 17.9 up / 0.4 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (57)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 60
“The Escapists is a cute, challenging, and potentially rewarding sandbox game that refuses to hold your hand. Releasing it after the much more refined sequel doesn't prove flattering, however. If you've played The Escapists 2, the original will feel like a notable step back. If you haven't played The Escapists 2, that's the game you should go for.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Does The Escapists explore or expose anything the average person doesn't already know about prisons? I don't think so. It is a puzzle game, and if you enjoy puzzles and you have an extreme amount of patience, I would encourage you to check out The Escapists. If you're looking for a hard, or systemic, view on prisons, I would suggest looking elsewhere.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The Escapists fills a niche that few developers dare to tread: a strategy title that demands planning and focus, leaving no room for failure and very limited handholding. Such restrictions limit the overall appeal, but those brave enough to venture into Mouldy Toof Studios' and Team17's latest release on PlayStation 4 will find buckets of charm and invention to reward their patience, as well as plenty of value for money.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“[A failed attempt] will either steel you for the next attempt, or cause you to put the controller down in anger. If you're in the former group, the sheer wealth of options available to you, combined with the art style and the occasional laugh-out-loud moment, mean that The Escapists is definitely recommended.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The Escapists is excellent at what it does, there's no doubt about that, and it's cornered a market that nobody else dares to touch. It's generous with content, it's deep, and, at times, it's extremely satisfying. Still, it can be very tedious, and as such, unless you're actually in prison and have time to kill, there are probably better ways to spend your limited gaming hours. If the premise intrigues you then by all means give it a go, otherwise, you may want to refrain from spending your time behind bars.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I'm pretty sure this won't appeal to a lot of people. It can be bone-crushingly hard at times and difficult to get into. But by giving you the tools to craft your own escape and leaving you alone to sort it out, The Escapists is one of those classic hands-off games that encourages you to create your own story and incredible moments.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Perhaps a bigger emphasis on characters or story could even go a long way to give players the incentive to continue or get more involved. It's very possible the game simply isn't for me, and this will become a niche title. But in my eyes, this is one prison I will simply not be returning to.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It may have its minor frustrations but there's nothing here that really spoils what is an otherwise delightful and endlessly surprising game. It won't be for everyone, especially those who are unwilling to meet the game halfway and learn through trial and error, but those who welcome its open-ended challenge will find that a long stretch inside proves surprisingly enjoyable.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Escapists is a thrilling game that challenges you to break out of prison in a number of different ways.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The Escapists is a "deeper than appears" puzzler that will take some getting into, but the pay-off is worth it.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Escapists isn't for everyone. The visual style may put some people off, and the general repetitiveness of each day could grate with others. However, The Escapists is a smart title that encourages a player to experiment with different options. There's no single right answer to escaping, though some tactics will bring freedom faster than others. I personally found myself thinking of various plans even when not playing, and working out how viable they would be. If you enjoy crafting and planning, while potentially starting a riot, then The Escapists could be the game you're looking for.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A wonderful throwback to '80s style British gaming, that has much to teach modern titles in terms of player freedom and open world design.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Paste Magazine
Cubed3
Pure Xbox
Push Square
GameWatcher
ZTGD
Eurogamer
GameSpot
GameGrin
TheSixthAxis
Metro GameCentral…and 45 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Jingle Cells hotfix for OSX and LinuxDec 12, 2016
- Jingle Cells hotfix for OSX and LinuxDec 12, 2016
- Jingle Cells - Out now!Dec 8, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Jingle Cells - Out now!Dec 8, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Jingle Cells - Free map update!Dec 5, 2016
- Jingle Cells - Free map update!Dec 5, 2016
- The Escapists Map Update: Banned Camp!Sep 30, 2016
- The Escapists Map Update: Banned Camp!Sep 30, 2016
- OUT NOW: The Escape Team DLCJul 1, 2015
- Hotfix: Custom Map Saves and Editor UIApr 24, 2015
- Hotfix: Custom Map Saves and Editor UIApr 24, 2015
- The Escapists: The Kowalski UpdateApr 20, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- The Escapists: The Kowalski UpdateApr 20, 2015