The The Escapists 2 - Season Pass represents a significant expansion for the popular prison break simulation, delivering a diverse array of new challenges for the PC platform. Released on August 21, 2017, this content pack is designed for players who have mastered the base game and are eager to test their wits against fresh, notorious environments. While the series is known for its variety, it is important to note that the "Glorious Regime" prison is not included in this specific pass. Instead, the Season Pass focuses on three distinct themes: medieval fantasy, supernatural horror, and the whimsical chaos of the circus. This expansion adds extra items, customizations, and thrilling new ways to escape, ensuring that inmates have plenty of options for their next breakout attempt.
Exploring the New Prisons in The Escapists 2 - Season Pass
The core value of this package lies in its inclusion of three unique maps, each offering a different aesthetic and set of obstacles for the strategic player. These prisons are designed to be exhilarating and demanding, testing the escaping expertise of even the most seasoned players.
Dungeons & Duct Tape
In this medieval-themed expansion, you find yourself sentenced to a castle dungeon for crimes against the crown. The setting requires a change of pace, allowing you to don a medley of medieval outfits and take on specialized jobs. You might work as a blacksmith or entertain your fellow inmates and guards with the lute. The environment is rich with historic details, inviting you to examine the castle and admire the throne room. Success here requires craftiness; you must unlock Castle Locke and find a way to get over the dastardly moat to secure your freedom.
Wicked Ward
For those who prefer a more terrifying atmosphere, the Wicked Ward transforms an abandoned hospital wing into a haunting prison. The setting is spooky and supernatural, guarded by undead minions and a scientist who has lost their mind. The sky outside is perpetually stormy, with thunder and lightning obscuring the surrounding woods. Escaping this facility means dealing with a relentless surveillance system and guards that do not sleep. You will need to rely on your wits to navigate the gothic corridors and avoid the clutches of the undead before you are trapped in this slammer forever.
Big Top Break Out
Taking a humorous turn, this prison is located within a traveling circus. It is the craziest facility yet, where you must purge your sentence as a clown. The gameplay here involves juggling, making balloon animals, and even taming lions to earn your keep. The environment is filled with circus tropes, including whistles, bells, and the ever-present threat of vicious guard poodles. You are encouraged to wield a squirting flower as a weapon. The escape must be executed quickly and quietly; there is absolutely no time to clown around when you are trying to vanish from the spotlight.
Gameplay Mechanics and Strategy
The Escapists 2 - Season Pass maintains the core loop of crafting, stealing, brawling, and escaping that defined the original title. The new content emphasizes the importance of character customization and job selection. By choosing specific roles—such as the blacksmith in the castle or the lion tamer at the circus—you can utilize the tools provided by your new workplace to build your escape plan.
Stealth remains a critical component of the strategy. Whether you are sneaking past undead guards or avoiding the eyes of the circus ringmaster, observation is key. The expansion adds new items and crafting recipes specifically tailored to these environments, allowing for creative solutions to the obstacles placed in your path. The difficulty is designed to be challenging, ensuring that the escape feels earned rather than given.
Platform Availability and Features
The Escapists 2 - Season Pass is available exclusively for PC. It is fully integrated into the Steam ecosystem, allowing for seamless integration with the base game. The game supports a variety of playstyles, including:
- Singleplayer: Play as a lone inmate and rely solely on your own skills to break out.
- Online Co-op: Team up with friends remotely to coordinate complex prison breaks.
- Local Co-op: Share a screen and work together on the same keyboard to execute synchronized escapes.
- Split Screen: Enjoy the action on the same device without needing an internet connection.
Who Should Play This?
This Season Pass is an ideal purchase for fans of the strategy, simulation, and puzzle genres who have completed the main campaign. It appeals to players who enjoy sandbox mechanics and stealth gameplay, as well as those looking for a humorous, lighthearted experience to share with friends. The addition of the medieval castle, the spooky hospital, and the circus provides a fresh coat of paint on the formula, keeping the gameplay loop engaging.
However, it is worth noting that the content is additive; it requires the base game to function. For those looking to support the developers and access the full breadth of The Escapists 2 experience, this pass offers a solid collection of new maps and customization options to extend the life of the game.