The Shawshank Redemption, Escape From Alcatraz, The Great Escape - who doesn't love a good prison break movie?

Saying that though, the idea is rarely touched in video games, despite it having loads of potential. We've had some good attempts over the years, but the genre has been explored fully at all.

Surely a game that encapsulates the tension and thrills of meticulously planning and executing a perfect prison escape would be fun. This is the concept behind The Escapists.

All that stands between you and your freedom is a perfectly executed escape plan. The Escapists is a prison break game that puts players in the role of a prison inmate, ultimately planning and pulling off an escape. You'll have to stick to a schedule to avoid arousing suspicion, craft the tools you'll need from stuff lying around the prison (or, instead, steal them), make use of/stay off the radar of your fellow cons and guards, and eventually build your own escape tunnel while keeping it hidden from the people that might reasonably want to cave it in.

Game Features

Schedules: To escape you'll have to work around the strict prison schedule as best you can to avoid any unwanted attention from the guards.
Crafting: Weapons and tools can be crafted together using everyday things you find or steal around the prison. Just beware of cell shakedowns.
Reputation: The way you interact with fellow cons and guards affect how they treat you. Those on your side could help you out in a fight, overlook if they catch you doing anything unusual, or give you access to certain favors/jobs, and assistance.
Digging: Get hold of a shovel and you can start working on an escape tunnel. Of course you'll need some lights and timber supports below ground if you plan to survive. Just make sure you make it back for the guard patrols- and that the hole is hidden!
Skills: Train your agility and strength in the gym, or spend your free periods in the library boosting your intellect. All such skills play a part in your escape as well as your survival inside the prison.
Combat: When it comes to crunch time, you might have to engage other inmates or guards in combat. If one of them finds your escape tunnel you will probably have to overpower, bind, and stash them in the hole you've been digging below your cell. If it's a guard, taking his uniform might come in handy.
Gangs & Friends: Be careful who you pick fights with- some of the inmates might start plotting against you with their gang-mates and friends.

The Escapists

Thug Life Achievement

Thug Life

Guides

Players

aspidya