The Escapists

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Android, Xbox One, Linux • 2015

2015

Quick resume

The Escapists provides players the opportunity of experiencing a light-hearted insight into everyday prison life with the main objective being that of escaping!

Global score

90/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Simulator, Strategy, Role-playing (RPG), Puzzle, Tactical

Similar games

Pros

Deep crafting system
Multiple escape methods
Challenging and strategic gameplay
High replayability with many prisons
Immersive prison routine and atmosphere

Cons

Steep learning curve
Some repetitive grinding
Lack of multiplayer
Randomness in item availability
Price considered high by some

Motivations

Autonomy

Game with the same Autonomy vibe

4

"Players have freedom to choose roles (prisoner or guard), customize characters, and decide strategies for escape or defense."

Prison Life
"Players have freedom to plan their own escape strategies, choose how to craft items, and decide how to interact with other inmates."
Competence

Game with the same Competence vibe

4

"Game requires skillful command input, strategic planning, and adaptation to unpredictable situations, rewarding mastery and learning."

Duskers
"The game requires skillful planning, crafting, and timing to successfully escape, with feedback from guards and consequences for mistakes."
Competition

Game with the same Competition vibe

-3

"Focus is on personal progress and survival rather than competing against others; leaderboards exist but are not central."

Last Horizon
"Focus is on personal progress and escape planning rather than competing against others; leaderboards exist but are not central."
Continuation

Game with the same Continuation vibe

4

"Players report long sessions, high replayability, and habitual play through multiple runs and unlocks."

Arcanium: Rise of Akhan
"Players report long play sessions and high replayability due to multiple prisons and escape methods."
Cooperation

Game with the same Cooperation vibe

1

"Mostly single-player experience with some multiplayer added; limited cooperation but some social elements."

Everdream Valley
"Some interaction with other inmates through favors and trading, but no multiplayer; mostly single-player experience."
Creativity

Game with the same Creativity vibe

5

"Extensive crafting system allowing creative combinations of items and multiple approaches to challenges."

NEO Scavenger
"Extensive crafting system and multiple ways to escape encourage creative problem solving and item combination."
Domination

Game with the same Domination vibe

-2

"Interactions emphasize balanced fights and mutual respect rather than dominance or trash talk."

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 2
"Interactions with other inmates are mostly balanced; some fighting occurs but no strong emphasis on dominance or trash talk."
Escapism

Game with the same Escapism vibe

4

"Players use the game as a fun distraction and stress relief, immersing themselves in imaginative prison escape scenarios."

The Escapists 2
"Players use the game as a distraction and immersive experience in prison life and escape planning."
Expectation

Game with the same Expectation vibe

-4

"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, not obligation or pressure."

Mind Over Magnet
"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, not obligation or pressure."
Experimenting

Game with the same Experimenting vibe

4

"Players explore different strategies, playstyles, and crafting recipes."

Abiotic Factor
"Players try different escape routes, crafting recipes, and strategies to find what works."
Exploration

Game with the same Exploration vibe

3

"Players explore diverse prison environments, search for items, and discover multiple escape routes and secrets."

The Escapists 2
"Players explore different prisons and discover multiple escape methods and secrets."
Expression

Game with the same Expression vibe

2

"Players customize characters with different weapons and armor, though visual customization is limited."

Enclave
"Players can customize character names and skins, but limited visual customization."
Fantasy

Game with the same Fantasy vibe

-3

"The game simulates realistic casino and hotel management rather than imaginative or fictional scenarios."

SimCasino
"Game simulates realistic prison scenarios and routines rather than fantasy or improbable events."
Fellowship

Game with the same Fellowship vibe

0

"Primarily single-player with NPC interactions; no strong community or multiplayer focus."

Little Kitty, Big City
"Some social interaction with NPC inmates but no multiplayer or strong community feeling in-game."
Growth

Game with the same Growth vibe

4

"Players develop skills in movement and combat, learn complex mechanics, and progress through unlocks and upgrades."

Hellsweeper VR
"Players develop skills like strength, speed, and intelligence, and learn crafting and escape techniques."
Health

Game with the same Health vibe

-4

"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; players mostly engage in sitting and controller/keyboard use."

Bully: Scholarship Edition
"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; players train stats by repetitive key presses."
Idle

Game with the same Idle vibe

-3

"Requires focused attention and timing; not suited for background or casual intermittent play."

Hextech Mayhem: A League of Legends Story™
"Requires focused attention to follow schedules and avoid detection; not suitable for casual or idle play."
Intimacy

Game with the same Intimacy vibe

-3

"Limited social connection with crew; interactions are superficial and task-focused rather than emotionally close."

Stranded Sails - Explorers of the Cursed Islands
"Interactions with other inmates are superficial and task-oriented, not emotionally close."
Leadership

Game with the same Leadership vibe

1

"Some players may take informal leadership roles in coordinating team efforts, but no formal leadership mechanics."

Malum
"Players can recruit inmates to help in fights or distractions, but no formal leadership mechanics."
Progression

Game with the same Progression vibe

5

"Strong progression through leveling, acquiring items, skills, and unlocking new content."

Divinity: Original Sin (Classic)
"Strong progression through skill training, item collection, crafting, and unlocking new prisons."
Relaxation

Game with the same Relaxation vibe

1

"Game balances tension and calm moments; some players find it relaxing while others experience stress."

I'm on Observation Duty 5
"Game balances tension of escape attempts with calm routine periods; some players find it relaxing, others stressful."
Sensation

Game with the same Sensation vibe

2

"Enjoyable pixel art and soundtrack provide sensory stimulation but not intense excitement."

The Dungeon Beneath
"Pixel art and soundtrack provide moderate sensory stimulation; adrenaline during escapes adds excitement."
Status

Game with the same Status vibe

-2

"Limited social status or recognition; leaderboards exist but not a major focus."

Islet Online
"Limited social recognition; leaderboards exist but social status is not a major focus."
Story

Game with the same Story vibe

2

"Minimal narrative about prison escape; story is light and mostly context for gameplay."

Prison Run and Gun
"Light narrative through prison setting and inmate interactions; no deep overarching plot."
Strategy

Game with the same Strategy vibe

5

"High strategic depth requiring planning, resource management, and tactical decision making."

Star Realms
"High strategic depth requiring planning, resource management, timing, and problem solving."
Thrill

Game with the same Thrill vibe

4

"Stealth tension and risk of detection create suspense and excitement."

Hitman: Blood Money
"Escape attempts create suspense and adrenaline; risk of detection adds thrill."
Value

Game with the same Value vibe

3

"Players find good value especially on sale, with hours of gameplay and replayability."

Space Hulk: Deathwing Enhanced Edition
"Players find good value in gameplay hours and replayability, though some mention price is high."
Violence

Game with the same Violence vibe

2

"Combat and fighting guards/inmates is a common and enjoyable gameplay element."

The Escapists 2
"Combat with guards and inmates is present but not the main focus; some players enjoy fighting."
Survival

Game with the same Survival vibe

3

"Players must avoid detection and manage limited resources to survive and progress."

METAL GEAR & METAL GEAR 2: Solid Snake
"Players must avoid detection and manage resources to survive and escape."

Analysis

Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Leadership, Survival, Violence, Strategy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Fellowship. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy.

How to use the graph

Similar games map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

Where to buy

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Last update: 30/04/2026

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