The Escapists 2

The Escapists 2

Bridgetown BoomBurg
MekaDovah 4 Oct, 2023 @ 6:45am
Feedback
Escaped on Day 3 after Lights Out. Grappled onto the rooftops and used a rope ladder to get into the southern garage area.

Overall, not bad. Toughest part was figuring out how to get access to a bookshelf. I do think the convoluted maze design works against the prison as much as it works for it.

On the positive side: alternate paths to avoid security provides some nice depth and scope to think and be clever. That's definitely good and rewarding to figure out.

On the negative side: regime is obnoxious to follow. When everything is spread out, the layout is labyrinthine, things are visually messy and cluttered with junk that gets in the player's way, that can feel like cheating because you're making it hard to just follow the regime properly. Rather than punish the player for going off the path and trying to escape, it's like designing things to punish the player for playing at all. I know you want it to be hard, but that edges onto unfair and wanting to "beat" the player entirely.

In addition, convoluted layouts and massive maps work against the prison's security. Guards can't patrol effectively, creating lots of blind spots players can easily exploit.

More mixed bag things: the cell layout is neat, but the presence of a "shared yard" area allows me to simply take the desks out of sight of the security cams. Coupled with the poor guard coverage, they're very easy to loot. Not sure if you wanted it that way. Also, the generator is very easy to access (getting a uniform disguise isn't that hard) so I could shut down the power whenever I wanted. Feels a little funny that it's easier to power off the prison than find a bookshelf. Again, not sure if you want it that way.

Recommendations: the map could use some cleaning up. Less junk on the paths and more consistent floor patterns so routes around the prison are clearer to the player. Especially to roll call, but it shouldn't be an obstacle course just to go where the prison wants me to go. I know your goal was a trench, but the layout goes all over the place so it looks more like a general mess than war trenches. A tighter layout might sell the idea better and give better guard coverage which would both increase difficulty and feel less cheat-y about it.

Also, if you want to make the cell block tougher, make them individual cells so players can't just take the desks out.

Hope this was helpful. Again, wasn't bad and once I got past the layout issues and visual chaos, it was an okay brain teaser. Looks like you got more hits on this map than I ever got on any of mine so congrats on that.
Last edited by MekaDovah; 4 Oct, 2023 @ 6:46am
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Timohaer ua  [developer] 6 Oct, 2023 @ 12:51am 
Well, from the beginning. About your escape. As I understand it, you did it with a hook and rope. Firstly, it is very interesting, because for this you will need to read a lot, and since, firstly, it is essentially difficult to get there, and even if you get there, there will be a roll call every about 4 hours.

there's nothing to say here

I'm glad there's some positive stuff

I agree with you, it’s difficult to follow the schedule, but at least if you try, you won’t be late. Garbage? agree,
I went too far with this, but again, if you remember the route, you can move faster, and I did not plan this as a complication, just as something unpleasant.

I also agree here, it’s stupid when the guards only come in the middle of lunch. And it’s too easy to break into their cells even during the day, you just need to hide under the bridge. By the way, the easiest way to read.

Yes, the cameras are a little not very well placed. But I think it's very similar to K.A.P.O.W camp, but simpler.
yes, I agree that it’s too easy to turn off the lights, but still, you’ll have to find a cop in the building, without cameras, alone, try to beat him up, and then sit it out, and also so as not to miss the roll call, in short, it’s not easy to get a cop costume .

I will remember your recommendations. And by the way, a few facts to dilute the text. A small room with flowers above to the right of the roll call room was made to leave contraband before entering the same roll call area:Supraglad:
MekaDovah 6 Oct, 2023 @ 4:16am 
Originally posted by Timohaer:
Yes, the cameras are a little not very well placed. But I think it's very similar to K.A.P.O.W camp, but simpler.

It's not just the lights, but everything, including cameras and contraband sensors. It disables security for a considerable length of time. But given there are already ways to avoid both, there's no real reason to bother with the power to begin with either.

Originally posted by Timohaer:
you’ll have to find a cop in the building, without cameras, alone, try to beat him up, and then sit it out, and also so as not to miss the roll call, in short, it’s not easy to get a cop costume .

Actually, there's another way. I just decline favors from inmates until one wants a guard outfit. That spawns one in one of the cells. Then I go pick it up. Even in view of cameras, this isn't hard to hurry in, grab it, put it on, and get away. If the guards never see me actually steal it, I don't get in much trouble. And as long as I never turn that favor in, I can use that uniform as long as I want.
Last edited by MekaDovah; 6 Oct, 2023 @ 4:20am
Timohaer ua  [developer] 6 Oct, 2023 @ 5:15am 
well, yes. This prison isn`t so good as i expected:deaths:
MekaDovah 6 Oct, 2023 @ 6:14am 
Originally posted by Timohaer:
well, yes. This prison isn`t so good as i expected:deaths:

"Good" depends on what you wanted. At minimum, it just needs some streamlining and cleanup. That's not bad at all really. If you want it to be harder, then you just need to tighten up security a bit: like adjusting the cells so the desks can't be taken out of camera range and maybe doing away with the alternate routes to avoid the contraband scanners. Tightening up the guard coverage would require more work. However, that's only if that's what you want. If not, then security is fine as it is as it does encourage the player to think and explore in order to discover its weaknesses and particulars. That gets the player invested, which is good!

As for the whole "trench" theme, that might require more reworking since it doesn't really resemble one. But that's easy enough if you're willing to change the context instead. Like, it's an abandoned (or bombed out) town converted into a prison.
Last edited by MekaDovah; 6 Oct, 2023 @ 6:17am
Timohaer ua  [developer] 10 Oct, 2023 @ 5:24am 
Originally posted by MekaDovah:
Originally posted by Timohaer:
well, yes. This prison isn`t so good as i expected:deaths:

"Good" depends on what you wanted. At minimum, it just needs some streamlining and cleanup. That's not bad at all really. If you want it to be harder, then you just need to tighten up security a bit: like adjusting the cells so the desks can't be taken out of camera range and maybe doing away with the alternate routes to avoid the contraband scanners. Tightening up the guard coverage would require more work. However, that's only if that's what you want. If not, then security is fine as it is as it does encourage the player to think and explore in order to discover its weaknesses and particulars. That gets the player invested, which is good!

As for the whole "trench" theme, that might require more reworking since it doesn't really resemble one. But that's easy enough if you're willing to change the context instead. Like, it's an abandoned (or bombed out) town converted into a prison.

well, its have original story that its not a trench or something.:Supraglad:
MekaDovah 10 Oct, 2023 @ 6:43am 
Originally posted by Timohaer:
well, its have original story that its not a trench or something.:Supraglad:

Exactly. Just gotta be a bit flexible.
Corting 10 Feb, 2024 @ 2:12am 
Friend, I think your statement is completely unacceptable. If you choose to enter the garage from the roof, it is more convenient to use files and crowbars to enter violently. Moreover, the speed of 3 days is not very fast. It took me less than a day to think of an escape method (it was originally two days, but when I played again, I accelerated the pace and escaped in a day). Undeniably, this prison is still very complete.
MekaDovah 10 Feb, 2024 @ 4:22am 
Originally posted by craving……白茶:
Friend, I think your statement is completely unacceptable. If you choose to enter the garage from the roof, it is more convenient to use files and crowbars to enter violently. Moreover, the speed of 3 days is not very fast. It took me less than a day to think of an escape method (it was originally two days, but when I played again, I accelerated the pace and escaped in a day). Undeniably, this prison is still very complete.

I never said it wasn't complete, just that I saw room for improvement. And I hardly think anything I said is invalidated just because you completed it faster. If anything that probably validates the things I mentioned about security needing tightening.

Disagree with me if you wish. I don't know you so I honestly don't care, but you are doing the author a disservice and that I take issue with. While it's not up to us if the feedback is appreciated or used, I don't think they'll be served all that well by falsehoods and bragging.
Last edited by MekaDovah; 10 Feb, 2024 @ 4:22am
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