Introduction

Let's talk about prisons, shall we? No, not the kind you see in movies where cool guys escape with style, but the ones that make you sweat a little and think, 'How did I get here?' Enter 'The Escapists,' a game that asks the tough questions: What would you do if you were locked up with a bunch of guys who could turn a toothpaste tube and a chocolate bar into a makeshift rocket launcher? Okay, maybe not that extreme, but point taken. This strategy gem lets players escape from various prisons, and let me assure you, it’s more fun than having a footlong sandwich at a dodgy diner. So, grab your pencil and notepad, because you will need to jot down your plans to break out!

Gameplay

'The Escapists' is a delightful blend of strategy and role-playing, but unlike your traditional RPGs, its main quest is not saving the world—it’s saving your own skin from the clutches of severe boredom and possibly a lifelong prison sentence. You get to assume the role of a prisoner whose only goal in life is to escape six increasingly challenging prisons (think of them as levels in Uncharted, minus the treasure but plus a lot of shaky fences). Players start off on day one, where you pick a name that you'd want the prison guards to bark at you. Hint: Choose something tough—like 'Rocky Balboa'—if you want to get less beatdowns in the yard. The routine follows a daily schedule that includes meals, work, exercise, and most importantly, roll calls—where if you're not present, it's off to solitary confinement. This is the escapist's puzzle: navigate daily prison life without getting caught while trying to gather resources for your great escape. Fancy a little crafting? Combine some toothpaste and talcum powder (attainable through favors like trading lunch for pens) to create putty to make fake keys. Because who needs real keys when you can outsmart everyone with clever thinking! Now, let’s address the elephant (or should I say unsatisfactory weapon) in the room: how on earth do you escape? The options are endless. You can choose to tunnel through the ground, create riot distractions—because what’s prison without a little mischief?—or build a crafty diversion to take out the guards. Psst! Ways to assault guards can range from the hilariously absurd (use a plastic fork) to hilariously strategic (smuggle a shiv). It’s like being in a real-life multiplayer game of chess, where every piece wants to stab you. So build up your strength, splurge on crafting (there’s no IKEA in prison, people), and brush up on your strategy skills because it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there—or should I say, “in here?” So remember, with enough effort, and perhaps some patience, freedom is just another corrugated fence away!

Graphics

Visually, 'The Escapists' has an endearing charm that can only be described as 16-bit pixel perfection. It feels like someone took a nostalgia bomb, wrapped it in a red prison uniform, and injected it with humor. The colorful environments are bursting with character—no pun intended—providing a vibrant backdrop for the drab lives behind bars. While it isn't set to win any Game of the Year awards for its state-of-the-art graphics, it nails the pixel art aesthetic spectacularly, evoking memories of the golden age of gaming, or when you last had a serious chat with your game console. Movement is smooth, and the animations capture the essence of prison life with just the right amount of quirkiness. Each inmate has a distinct look and personality as only pixels can convey. You'll find yourself laughing out loud at the little quirks—like watching another inmate get into a tussle over a slice of burrito!

Conclusion

In summary, 'The Escapists' on Switch delivers a chuckle-packed prison break experience that will keep you glued to your handheld until your thumbs evolve into something resembling a grapefruit. Despite some learning curve frustrations and trial-and-error moments that could make an escape artist shed a few tears, the satisfaction of outsmarting the guards and escaping with style makes it all worthwhile. Grab your crafting tools, plot your escape, and let your inner criminal mastermind shine—just don’t forget to dream about that meal you can finally have on the outside (it's definitely worth it). I say it deserves a solid 8/10! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a prison of my own to escape… through the power of snack breaks and gaming.

See Latest Prices for The Escapists on Switch on Amazon