The Escapists 2 Thumbnail

The Escapists 2 similar games & best alternatives

The Escapists 2

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Linux • 2017

Related articles

Quick resume

Craft, Steal, Brawl and Escape! It’s time to bust out of the toughest prisons in the world as you return to the life of an inmate in The Escapists 2, now with multiplayer! Have you got what it takes to escape?

Global score

91/100

Genres

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

Similar games

    Pros

    • High player autonomy and creativity
    • Engaging cooperative multiplayer
    • Strategic and challenging gameplay
    • Good replayability with multiple prisons and workshop content
    • Strong social bonding and community

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve for new players
    • Some repetitiveness in gameplay
    • Multiplayer servers sometimes inactive
    • Limited prison editor customization
    • Punitive ai and harsh guard detection

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      5

      "Players have high freedom to explore, craft, build bases, and choose their own survival strategies in a procedurally generated world."

      Capsule for Don't Starve Don't Starve

      "Players have freedom to choose their own escape strategies and actions, including crafting, planning, and multiple escape methods."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "The game is challenging with a steep learning curve, requiring skillful management and strategic planning to succeed."

      Capsule for GamersGoMakers GamersGoMakers

      "The game requires skillful planning, problem solving, and overcoming challenges with a significant learning curve and strategic depth."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      1

      "Some competitive elements exist via leaderboards and high scores, but primary focus is cooperative play rather than direct competition."

      Capsule for Can't Drive This Can't Drive This

      "Some leaderboard and ranking elements exist but the focus is mostly on cooperative or solo play rather than direct competition."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Players report long sessions, replayability, and habitual play especially with friends."

      Capsule for Windlands 2 Windlands 2

      "Players report long play sessions, replayability through multiple prisons and multiplayer, and habitual play with friends."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      5

      "Strong emphasis on co-op gameplay, with players recommending playing with friends and praising teamwork mechanics."

      Capsule for Tom Clancy’s The Division® 2 Tom Clancy’s The Division® 2

      "Strong emphasis on multiplayer co-op play, coordinating with friends to escape, and collaborative problem solving."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      5

      "High creativity encouraged through designing unique torture setups and experimenting with weapon placement."

      Capsule for Happy Room Happy Room

      "High creativity encouraged through crafting, multiple escape routes, prison editor, and player-driven strategies."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -2

      "While competitive, the game emphasizes fun and shared experiences over trash talk or power imposition."

      Capsule for Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure Stikbold! A Dodgeball Adventure

      "While players can fight guards and inmates, the game emphasizes shared experiences and cooperation over domination."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

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

      Capsule for The Escapists The Escapists

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

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for The Outlast Trials The Outlast Trials

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      5

      "Players experiment with different prison designs, management strategies, and gameplay options including mods and DLC content."

      Capsule for Prison Architect Prison Architect

      "Players try various escape methods, experiment with crafting and strategies, and explore different prisons and mods."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "Players explore a richly detailed prison environment with secrets, multiple areas, and hidden content to discover."

      Capsule for Back to the Dawn Back to the Dawn

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

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Customization of characters and cosmetic options allow personal expression."

      Capsule for ROUNDS ROUNDS

      "Customization of characters and escape plans allows for some personal expression, though limited cosmetic focus."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "The game features cartoonish aliens, exaggerated action, and humorous fictional scenarios."

      Capsule for Alien Hominid Invasion Alien Hominid Invasion

      "The game features imaginative and humorous prison scenarios, including unrealistic elements like alien containment and spaceships."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      4

      "Strong community and social bonding reported, especially family play and shared experiences with friends."

      Capsule for FIFA 22 FIFA 22

      "Strong community and social bonding reported, especially between family members and friends playing together."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players develop strategic thinking and improve skills through practice and learning game mechanics."

      Capsule for Frozen Synapse Frozen Synapse

      "Players develop strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and learn game mechanics through trial and error."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "The game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related features."

      Capsule for Phasmophobia Phasmophobia

      "The game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during planning and execution phases."

      Capsule for Door Kickers Door Kickers

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to strategic planning and timing."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      2

      "Some social bonding and emotional connection through cooperative play, but limited close relationship focus."

      Capsule for Valheim Valheim

      "Some emotional bonding and close relationships form through cooperative play and shared experiences."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      2

      "Players sometimes lead groups or coordinate strategies, but shared decision-making common."

      Capsule for Forsaken Frontiers Forsaken Frontiers

      "Players sometimes lead group escape plans in multiplayer but mostly share decision-making cooperatively."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate weapons, ammo, and upgrades; unlocking new difficulties and DLC content."

      Capsule for Serious Sam 3: BFE Serious Sam 3: BFE

      "Players accumulate items, craft tools, and unlock new prisons and DLC content as progression."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Some players find the game relaxing and stress-relieving, though others note tension from challenging matches."

      Capsule for Teamfight Manager Teamfight Manager

      "Some players find the game relaxing and stress-relieving, though it also involves tension and challenge."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      2

      "Enjoyable pixel art and sound design provide moderate sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for There Are No Orcs There Are No Orcs

      "Enjoyable pixel art and sound design provide moderate sensory stimulation and fun."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      1

      "Leaderboards and achievements provide some recognition, but social status is not a primary focus."

      Capsule for LUFTRAUSERS LUFTRAUSERS

      "Leaderboards and achievements provide some recognition, but social status is not a primary focus."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      2

      "The game has a light narrative continuation from the first game with some story elements, but story is not the main focus."

      Capsule for SLUDGE LIFE 2 SLUDGE LIFE 2

      "The game has light narrative elements and lore, but story is not the main focus."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

      "Heavy emphasis on strategic planning, problem solving, and tactical decision-making."

      Capsule for Rule the Waves 3 Rule the Waves 3

      "Strong emphasis on strategic planning, problem solving, and tactical decision-making."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Players experience suspense and excitement from risk of capture or successful escape."

      Capsule for Prison Life Prison Life

      "Players experience suspense and excitement during escape attempts and unexpected events."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Players feel the game offers good value for price, especially with DLC and workshop content."

      Capsule for Air Missions: HIND Air Missions: HIND

      "Players generally feel the game offers good value for price, especially with multiplayer and workshop content."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      3

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

      Capsule for The Escapists The Escapists

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

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players must avoid detection and manage resources to survive and escape."

      Capsule for The Escapists The Escapists

      "Players must avoid detection, manage resources, and survive prison routines to succeed."

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Status, Competition, Creativity.

    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

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026