Escape Academy is a 2022 puzzle video game developed by Coin Crew Games and published by iam8bit and Skybound Games. It was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on July 14, 2022, to a generally positive reception.
| Escape Academy | |
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| Developer(s) | Coin Crew Games |
| Publisher(s) | |
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| Writer(s) |
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| Composer(s) | doseone |
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| Genre(s) | Adventure, puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
editIn Escape Academy, players assume the role of students who undergo training to become a skilled "Escape Room Master". Its gameplay is patterned after that of real-world escape room activities, where players are supposed to work together to discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks in one or more rooms to achieve a specific goal within a finite amount of time.[1] Played from a first-person perspective, players earn grades by solving escape rooms themed after various academic subjects.[2]
Development and release
editEscape Academy is developed by Coin Crew Games, a video game development studio founded in 2018, with its production led by studio co-founders Mike Salyh and Wyatt Bushnell.[3] With iam8bit and Skybound Games as publishers, it was launched on July 14, 2022 for Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.[3]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | PC: 79/100[4] PS5: 79/100[5] XSXS: 76/100[6] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Electronic Gaming Monthly |   [7] |
| GameSpot | 7/10[8] |
| Hardcore Gamer | 4/5[9] |
| RPGFan | 74/100[10] |
| Shacknews | 8/10[11] |
Escape Academy received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[4][5][6] Jordan Ramée from GameSpot praised the gameplay design behind each escape room which he found rewarding for co-operative play in multiplayer mode, as it allows all players to easily work together and contribute productively, and that the puzzles had enough variety to "challenge both logical and creative thinking". On the other hand, he felt that solo play is much less fulfilling due to the emphasis on collaborative play between players, and that the narrative detracts from the escape room gameplay experience.[8] Kyle LeClair from Hardcore Gamer gave a positive review, and said he was hopeful that Escape Academy would be successful enough to warrant a sequel.[9] Ozzie Mejia from Shacknews lauded Escape Academy as one of the best cooperative gaming experiences of 2022.[11]
References
edit- ^ Thorn, Ed (July 13, 2022). "Escape Academy review: a charming escape room sim that's even better with a bud". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ Stewart, Marcus. "Escape Academy Preview - A Campus Tour Of This Colorful Escape Room Simulator". Game Informer. GameStop Corp. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ a b Rougeau, Mike (July 14, 2022). "Escape Academy scratches the escape room itch, safely from home". Polygon. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ a b "Escape Academy for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- ^ a b "Escape Academy for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ a b "Escape Academy for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ Harmon, Josh (July 13, 2022). "Escape Academy review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. EGM Media, LLC. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ a b Ramée, Jordan (July 13, 2022). "Escape Academy Review - I'm An A+ Student". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ a b LeClair, Kyle (July 13, 2022). "Review: Escape Academy". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ Richardson, Bob (October 9, 2022). "Escape Academy". RPGFan. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- ^ a b Mejia, Ozzie (July 13, 2022). "Escape Academy review: I'll need a volunteer". Shacknews. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.