Update (10/20/24): This The Escapee review is now out of date. As you can read in the comments, the developer got in touch with me and I worked out what the problem was. The bug is the puzzle doesn’t seem to complete when it did. Just go through the unlocked door. I will continue on. Consider the 4/10 and Not Recommended vacated and the Real score and verdict 8/10 and Recommended.
This is a review of The Escapee version 1.0 only. This is because there is a game-ending bug in it that renders it not completable. This issue is there is a puzzle where you input the correct symbols, and three lights come up, showing that you have completed the puzzle. Then nothing happens. There’s no extra button to push, nothing. You can exit and restart as much as you want, nothing will happen. I completed it over four times. I messaged the developers, Invictus, and didn’t hear back, so I’m posting this review.
It is disappointing about the game-end bug, because otherwise the Escapee is a good game. It takes cues from Another World and Flashback in how it looks and plays. You can run, jump(done only while running), roll, shoot and use a shield. Pressing up standing still will turn you to use an object or enter doors. X will reveal what to do. While the game will tell you what to do, doing it is easier said than done. Nearly every single screen has something that will kill you. From falling over ledges, to killer robots, to killer plants. I suggest you save at every screen, because the game will return you to your last save. You will be dying in the Escapee a lot.
I liked the Escapee, I really did, but the game-ending bug needs to be fixed until I can recommend it. As it is, the game gets a Not Recommended with a 4 back-end score. If the bug is fixed, then I would give it a Recommended with an eight back-end score. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why QA is critical!
Overall: The Escapee is a good game in the vein of Another World. However, a game-ending bug grinds it to a halt.
Verdict: Not Recommended
| Release Date | 10/12/24 |
| Cost | $3.99 |
| Publisher | Inituitive Computers(Invictus) |
| ESRB Rating | E10+ |
P.S. Why not donate to support the Game Slush Pile?
JP
Try to push the triangle shaped button in the lower left corner of the screen. It will close the puzzle and you can continue the game.
mordridakon
I did that and nothing at all happened. I was stuck. In fact, i did it four times.
JP
I captured a video on my Switch, please take a look. The bounding box of the triangle button may be small, but it works for sure. After you exit the puzzle, the door on the right will be unlocked, the light is green. You can find the video here:
https://www.intuitivecomputers.eu/downloads/2024102017572901-35AE390C669A684BDE9024051B594201.mp4
mordridakon
I did that though, 4 times. Lights were not green and door not unlocked. Is it programmed that you have to read the symbols before the puzzle, or can you skip them and do the puzzle? I’ll redownload and try again.
JP
You do not have to read the symbols before the puzzle, you can skip them. Thanks for trying again!
mordridakon
check your email! I found what the bug actually is. I will go forward and complete the game and rewrite the review.
JoeSmoe
So how to avoid the bug then – why the big mystery!?
mordridakon
Thank you for pointing that out 🙂
Updated the top with more info.
JoeSmoe
thanks!
Hunter
Anybody know how to solve this puzzle?
https://youtu.be/9tCQu1k5z8Q?si=ngFFj8IK1PJ6AsLt
I’ve checked every play through of this game, but the lift is always automatically unlocked for them. I wonder if the Switch version is just different or more complete than the Amiga.
Hunter
Update* Help. It’s been almost a whole year
J.Punk
This puzzle was removed from the Switch version. Which platform do you play the game on?
Cris
Hi, I’m stuck on the first puzzle, the one shown in the picture in this article. I’m putting the pieces in correctly, I’ve watched several YouTube videos and nothing happens. If I press the button, I exit the screen and have to start the puzzle over. I thought it was a bug, but from what I read in this article, you guys have already solved it. How did you do it, please?
J.PUNK
Hi Cris, When you solve the puzzle (all the 9 outer pieces forming a circle are bright and the inner pieces are dark), the puzzle screen will automatically close and the rock on the right will open, unlocking your way to the right.
Cris
Hi, I’m stuck on the first puzzle, the one in the picture for this article. I’m placing the pieces correctly, I’ve checked YouTube videos, and nothing happens. What do I have to do? I press the button and exit the screen, but the door doesn’t open. Help, please!
Cris
Hi, I’m stuck on the first puzzle, the one shown in the picture in this article. I’m putting the pieces in correctly, I’ve watched several YouTube videos and nothing happens. If I press the button, I exit the screen and have to start the puzzle over. I thought it was a bug, but from what I read in this article, you guys have already solved it. How did you do it, please?
Cris
In response to J.Punk
Hi! Thank you, I was able to solve the puzzle thanks to your answer. The problem was that I had the pieces on backwards: the shiny inner pieces and the dark outer ones. Thanks for replying!