There's not much of a back story in The Escapists. Little explanation is given as to why you start off in a minimal security prison, but you're there and it's your goal to break out.

Amusing dialogue; random encounters; challenging escapes that get harder as you progress in the game

Xbox One version does not get the DLC offered to the PC users; dated graphics and clunky interface make this game harder to navigate

It should have been simple. I'd worked for days on my plan. I had gathered all the items I needed to make a sock-mace, shovel, and even a screwdriver. I'd managed to sneak out a guard's uniform du

Great variety in gameplay; Excellent crafting; Adorable visuals

Steep learning curve; Very little hand-holding

I must have counted those 12 paces a dozen times, but once more I rattle them off in my head: one, two, three, four, five, six…. From the hole I dug in my cell, covered from sight the majority of the time by my storage desk, to under the prison wall and, at last--one, two, three, four, five, six, a...

Executing a successful prison break is fantastic; Multiple ways to break out; Challenging; but incredibly rewarding

Some irritating glitches

The Escapists is a downloadable only video game on the Personal Computer (Steam), and Xbox One. Family Friendly Gaming was provided a copy of The Escapists on the Xbox One. The Escapists has a top down view like The Legend of Zelda A Link to the Past.

The prison theme is under-represented in games, and a welcome change from the more oversaturated motifs we're often subject to (war, I'm looking at you). 'The Escapists' does have a lot of good ideas. It can't quite deliver on many of them due to a slow interface, weird AI and other design choices.

Aw here it goes! Kenan: Kel, I'm going to need some chicken wire, some beeswax, a rooster, a few rolls of toilet paper, and a 5-Iron. We're busting out of prison today! Kel: Aw here it goes! It's a puzzle game, plain and simple, with old school JRPG-like menus to boot.

Concept: Craft materials, muscle up, and devise a plan to escape from secure prisons Graphics: The pixelated graphics are simplistic, trying to capture a retro feel. That's cool for the character models, but the prisons are too sparse Sound: The soundtrack gets the job done, but is overplayed,...

The Escapists is a unique experience in the games industry, and for that reason alone it's worth giving a shot. However, this isn't a game that attempts to slide by on novelty alone.

The Escapists is easily one of the most original games in a long time that successfully recreates a prison environment

This review is based on a PC code provided by the publisher. The Escapists is available now in digital formats for 17.99.