This title which was once the top-selling game on Vita, still proves to be a formidable project even with the advent of PS4. Escape Plan, developed by Fun Bits Interactive, has you planning escape routes for two characters through solving multiple puzzles. After its release in 2012, and following the producer’s work on the fat princess, the game has etched its mark among the most humorous titles ever. Another selling point is in its impressive use of gyroscopic controls.

Most critics have ranked the game as a favorite and took special note of its simple yet stunning graphics. The sound, control, and other features also made good use of PlayStation’s versatility. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the most unique and straightforward titles you’ll ever play. Apart from its success in bringing out the best in Vita’s hardware features, its simplicity also gave it an edge over other titles on the same platform. The game will knock you out several times, but you’ll later realize that it’s part of the experience and humor that the developers had in mind. 

What does the game look like

You will be in control of two heroes known as Lil and Laarg. They’ve been held captive by the evil mastermind called Bakuki, and he intends to use them as part of his evil plan alongside other minions. As such, you must help them escape a prison filled with different traps before Bakuki turns them into sludge. With your PlayStation control and touch, you can clear a road for the heroes and move traps out of the way. There’s no hiding the fact that the whole room is booby-trapped for you to fail. Some of these traps might be a small block or even be more dangerous, like a moving blade. The two characters will die if you fail to move them to a haven. 

As you progress in the game, you will realize that the character’s movement is slow. The reason is that the game has fast-moving traps that might take them out if you’re not careful. Also, some of the characters can fill themselves with helium, making them float around the place. The onus is on you to use the controls and guide them to safety by titling or using other maneuvers. In essence, your job is to show these two characters individually or as a group to safety. You will also see them pull up a few tricks that can help them scale through the obstacles. 

These tricks include Lil’s ability to bust ahead after drinking some coffee that gives him extra energy. He can also bloat himself with helium which enables him to fly around the place. Another helpful trick is Laarg’s ability to blast through raps with his bash. However, Lil has the most beneficial trick of the two as he evolves throughout the game. It took me about four hours to get through the game on the first run. You might spend less time or more depending on how fast you complete the puzzles. Be rest assured that most rooms are easy to scale through as soon as you finish the puzzle. When you progress, the speed with which you complete each room determines your star rating. Hence, it would be best if you strived to move the characters to safety faster.

I also noticed some collectibles as I played. These items will allow you to replay some things, and you’ll get PS medals if you accumulate many. After the primary levels, the developers will give you a fresh set of challenges by bringing new rooms with more challenging puzzles. I spent a lot of time here as the challenges are not easy to overcome. Recently, the developers announced that they would make 19 more rooms available through downloadable contents for enthusiasts. This move will create more adventure for the characters and more features for the game as a whole. You might never get to see the end of these puzzles if the developers create more downloadable content in the future.  

The excellent experience I had from the game

We noted above that the game was previously on a handheld platform with touch controls. However, many players anticipated how the producers would convert the game to a more playable format on PS4. Alas, the developers did a great job as soon as players grasped the new controls. It was difficult to adapt at first, but the latest version’s precise control overshadowed every difficulty. As you progress, you will appreciate the preciseness as you dodge obstacles and death.  

The makers also made good use of dual shock’s incredible features. Some puzzles will require you to use motion controls, and this makes it very enjoyable. I heard some sounds whenever Lil deflates his bloated self through the controller’s speaker to cap it all up. Despite the game’s black and white graphical representations, the impressive art design didn’t go unnoticed. It gives you the feeling that the developers did adequate research in their character design. The classical background songs playing in the game also make for a refreshing atmosphere and immersive experience. 

 The glitches and setbacks I couldn’t overlook

For someone that doesn’t like losing too much before getting the hang of any game, I wouldn’t say I liked the ease of dying in the game. As you get knocked out, the game displays the number of times you have been killed on the character so that you will make a mental note of your health. Some users also complained of some update errors even though they have an up-to-date console. 

As if the challenging puzzles in the game are not enough, the developers created more downloadable content to add more rooms to the game. If you’re the challenge lover type, this shouldn’t be a problem. Other than these few setbacks, the game is a fantastic way of hanging fun and getting a little cerebral tussle. 

Verdict

This title has done wonderfully well in evolving from Vita to PlayStation and garnered several accolades simultaneously. The new control offers more precision, immersion, and more minor challenges. The classical black and white design also make it stand out despite the noticeable popularity of colored games on different platforms. If you’ve played this game on Vito before, you should try it out on PS as it offers much more than solving puzzles and saving Lil and Laarg.