Prison Architect

I am an architecture student so when i found out this game existed I immediately bought it because İ said architect and I wanted to become an architect. And I was astonished the core game mechanic combines perfectly with some thoughts and processes of an architects design work. For example the designing of the user’s movements how and when they move where and way and which corridors are more often used and which corridors are dead corridors. Or the main usage design and zoning which leads to deciding which areas are going to be prisoner free and which are going to be for visitors and then of course this zones need to be more secured and easier accessible, but also richer furnished and so on. All together it can be played as the simplified and fun added version of how an architect really works and achieving this alone is a huge success in my opinion.


The title kind of gives it away but I am going to write it out anyway. In prison architect the players is put into the shoes of the person in charge of designing, building and then managing a whole prison. Like in real life the prison starts with an idea and a first concept drawn on paper.

After the first "on paper" layout the player has to build the prison walls. And not long after the first prisoners transport stops in front of your newly installed security gate. At first you see the new inmates like your own family or you guests and then you look at them going into the beds you built for them and follow the timetable you planed for them. But after some time and the 20th transport and the 100th prisoners you see the matter in a more business like matter. Many money owners are already on your doormat and want their money back and you are forced to get more and more prisoners to get the governments money even though your prison is extremely over-habited and fights brake out every second meal. You do not even have enough money to buy patrol dogs and the guards are clearly scared and unable to cope with the mob.

This is the dilemma this game puts you in, because face it, it is not really a feel good sunshine related theme to be picked up as a game concept. But I have a huge respect for the developers because they had the guts to try it out and they succeeded in making a game which shows the player this dilemma without getting to serious or to comical. Other than that the game has a good working core game mechanic. That motivates the player to a certain amount of time, because the player wants the new heavy amour upgrade for his prisoners or the workshop upgrade or the ability to release prisoners who behaved well.

The problem is after all the upgrades are managed to achieve and all the different spaces and rooms are built and the prison runs quiet well with up to 200 prisoners the game gets boring. It is still a solid 10-15 hours of gameplay but nothing is present to guarantee the long term motivation so it is safe to say that the game lacks a bit in content.

Also related with that is the rather dull scenario that introduces you to the game in a very slow base and has more of a tutorial character. A good in depth scenario with maybe good stories or at least acceptable challenges would have been nice.

Additionally the escape mode is quiet useless in my opinion, but I have to admit that it puts up for good Youtube gameplay videos and funny moments. But from the pure player point of view it is maybe on an average browser game standart. Good for about half an hour of average fun gameplay.
All together I am astonished on how good the difficult manageable game concept works and I am surprised that this could be done in such a good manner. Even to be a witness of this great execution it is worth buying the game, that is my advice for hardcore players. Other than there are better options if you only want straight forward good gameplay and interesting stories or crazy action elements.