Prison Architect

 PC
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 297 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 230 out of 297
  2. Mixed: 50 out of 297
  3. Negative: 17 out of 297

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  1. gyrate
    Aug 2, 2014
    10
    If you're interested in this game, just buy it. It has workshop integration with an active modding community. Earlier tonight I changed the theme to star wars with a press of the button. This is a very addictive game where real time begins to speed by in a blur. 5 minutes becomes 5 hours and you only noticed because you need to use the restroom. There is a wonderful charm about it and theIf you're interested in this game, just buy it. It has workshop integration with an active modding community. Earlier tonight I changed the theme to star wars with a press of the button. This is a very addictive game where real time begins to speed by in a blur. 5 minutes becomes 5 hours and you only noticed because you need to use the restroom. There is a wonderful charm about it and the fat little characters. There is a lot of micromanagement so if you're the kind of person that hates to think, can't oil your brain because it hurts, well then you should pass. It's not overly complicated but the game doesn't hold your hand starting out. It's like bam build a prison. The only downside is struggling to figure out why things aren't being built, or populated. This may further confuse someone since it is alpha which makes it difficult to distinguish between a bug and something you aren't doing correctly. Other than that you should enjoy this game.… Expand
  2. Eskaton
    Oct 6, 2015
    10
    This is a great game. There are so many interacting systems it genuinely makes you feel like your prison is "alive" and your design choices matter.

    I have to call out this Kill Screen review which appears to be the only one dragging the reviewers metascore down. The reviewer appears to be upset for the following reason: "For everything Prison Architect gets right about prisons where    This is a great game. There are so many interacting systems it genuinely makes you feel like your prison is "alive" and your design choices matter.

    I have to call out this Kill Screen review which appears to be the only one dragging the reviewers metascore down. The reviewer appears to be upset for the following reason: "For everything Prison Architect gets right about prisons where other games have failed, the absence of race as a meaningful game mechanic is a glaring and disturbing oversight." I think its more disturbing that you think race should be a meaningful game mechanic.    … Expand
  3. thekillergreece
    Oct 4, 2013
    10
    The best game ever!Currently in alpha however. But still worth to buy, with 1monthly updates!!!

    Pros:
    Excellent gameplay, graphics, sandbox mode.
    Cons:
    Nothing
  4. blackbird1
    Oct 24, 2015
    10
    this game is awesome, if you are in managers you need to play it!
    if you are in builders you need to play it!
    if you are in simulations you need to play it!
  5. thegreanbean
    Mar 4, 2014
    10
    Honestly they say that the social violence and gore makes it no game for kids.but from having a look and playing it myself I would say this should be from 12-18. some say from 15 up.listen its really not that bad at 12,13 and 14 your child has grown up now,a game like this is not that bad at all. but from my experience I am just loving it!
  6. Evae
    Oct 7, 2015
    10
    TL;DR - A very well-done simulator.

    I have owned Prison Architect for nearly 2 years while it was still in its alpha stages. I loved the concept of building and managing my own Prison. Every update added new features and bug fixes, modeling the game to its final release which was October 6th of this year. Since its final release, Prison Architect has become one of my favorite games to    TL;DR - A very well-done simulator.

    I have owned Prison Architect for nearly 2 years while it was still in its alpha stages. I loved the concept of building and managing my own Prison. Every update added new features and bug fixes, modeling the game to its final release which was October 6th of this year. Since its final release, Prison Architect has become one of my favorite games to play, and with Workshop integration, the fun never ends.    … Expand
  7. tykeman3
    Nov 11, 2015
    10
    great game so much fun to play building your prison never mind the escape mode ! good time killer .... i have ran out of things to say so i am just typing to fill the 150 words ..... potatoes
  8. MartinAtome
    Oct 11, 2015
    10
    I bought this game over 2 years ago and still playing it every 2-3 months.
    I've seen good reviews on the game itself so i'll just spend a couple of words about the development, these guys did a wonderful job going from the first alpha to the full version (1.0) released this month: monthly updates via youtube videos, scheduled bug bashing and performance improvements always on time and    I bought this game over 2 years ago and still playing it every 2-3 months.
    I've seen good reviews on the game itself so i'll just spend a couple of words about the development, these guys did a wonderful job going from the first alpha to the full version (1.0) released this month: monthly updates via youtube videos, scheduled bug bashing and performance improvements always on time and true respect for community feedback, this game is a model of how the "alpha" concept should be used, during the last year I've purchased 2 extra copies of the game as birthday gifts for friends and will surely consider buying any new product introversion puts out in the future given this positive experience.

    Developers promised to add new features to the game in the next months and given how they behaved in the last 3 years i've no doubts they will.    … Expand
  9. ahutt23
    Jun 12, 2015
    10
    prison architect is a prison based simulation that is not only a prison "game" but a micromanagement game ive played this for months on end and i never get bored or angry at the game
  10. Thumb
    Oct 7, 2015
    10
    Now that the final version has been released, I can say for sure that this game is excellent and worth anybody's time who enjoys simulation and management games. Yes, there is some micro, but as you get better and start to understand how the tools in the game work you will become much faster. I haven't played the campaign, just sandbox mode and escape mode (recently added, tons of extraNow that the final version has been released, I can say for sure that this game is excellent and worth anybody's time who enjoys simulation and management games. Yes, there is some micro, but as you get better and start to understand how the tools in the game work you will become much faster. I haven't played the campaign, just sandbox mode and escape mode (recently added, tons of extra fun) but those two modes alone are enough for me to call this one of the better games I've ever played.… Expand
  11. musicman01597
    Nov 4, 2015
    10
    I was not expecting much when I bought this game a few weeks ago. Even though I had heard good things about it, I did not think it would be very entertaining. I WAS WRONG. This game is taking me back to the RCT years. It's definitely the best Tycoon game I've played since Rollercoaster Tycoon 2. I am drawn to the art style, and the sounds and music are very nice as well. The game also hasI was not expecting much when I bought this game a few weeks ago. Even though I had heard good things about it, I did not think it would be very entertaining. I WAS WRONG. This game is taking me back to the RCT years. It's definitely the best Tycoon game I've played since Rollercoaster Tycoon 2. I am drawn to the art style, and the sounds and music are very nice as well. The game also has a nice atmosphere to it.

    If you are a fan of tycoon games, and are tired of the many crappy micro-transaction tycoons out there, get this game. You will NOT be disappointed. :)    … Expand
  12. Brend0g
    Nov 14, 2015
    10
    Great gameplay and graphics. Played from Alpha 13, seeing the game evolve is great. How Alphas should be done. Couple of bugs to fix. Great community and mod integration. Love testing out prisons that other people have built. Hopefully this game will get better and better.
  13. BrainStormYT
    Dec 10, 2015
    10
    I have spent hundreds of hours in this game and it is honestly perfect. I massively recommend it, go and get it if you haven't already. The new escape mode has given even more to the game and the campaign is honestly gripping.

    I LOVE IT.
  14. Arkan01d
    Nov 14, 2013
    9
    This game is just great! You design and build a prison. Sounds simple right? Not so much. You learn along the way at just what works and what doesn't. The more you play the more you will find yourself designing and considering every room. If you like a game that tests your logic while being charming and sometimes frustrating then this is a game for you.

    Also, it's nice to get regular    This game is just great! You design and build a prison. Sounds simple right? Not so much. You learn along the way at just what works and what doesn't. The more you play the more you will find yourself designing and considering every room. If you like a game that tests your logic while being charming and sometimes frustrating then this is a game for you.

    Also, it's nice to get regular updates from an indie developer. No other Steam, Early Access game updates as much as Introversion. They have been in the industry for many years now and their veteran-ship shines through.    … Expand
  15. Dozmo
    Oct 5, 2014
    9
    An excellent game with a few annoying bugs. If you're into RTS/management games, and willing to do a bit of reading to learn how to play, give this a try. Designing a prison which almost runs itself is very satisfying, especially when trouble happens but your design means even minor issues are handled automatically. There are a few annoying bugs, like characters getting stuck going aroundAn excellent game with a few annoying bugs. If you're into RTS/management games, and willing to do a bit of reading to learn how to play, give this a try. Designing a prison which almost runs itself is very satisfying, especially when trouble happens but your design means even minor issues are handled automatically. There are a few annoying bugs, like characters getting stuck going around corners, but none of them are game-breaking. The game loads up in seconds, and is mostly intuitive, with a few exceptions such as managing your prison's electrical grid. I would give this game 10/10, except for the few bugs and areas which are very counter-intuitive. Overall, though, still a great game and one I would suggest for any RTS or management game fan. It is almost like a hugely simplified but better presented version of Dwarf Fortress, or a less comedic version of Evil Genius that concentrates on internal threats rather than external ones. Worth the money.… Expand
  16. J4MESOX4D
    Jun 21, 2014
    9
    Probably the best early-access game ever to hit Steam. Prison Architect is a creative sandbox game in which you build and manage a prison. The addictive concept, depth and easy to use interface makes this one of the most intriguing and enjoyable games I have played in a long time.

    This genre has been seriously lacking for a very long time with games like Theme Hospital just a distant    Probably the best early-access game ever to hit Steam. Prison Architect is a creative sandbox game in which you build and manage a prison. The addictive concept, depth and easy to use interface makes this one of the most intriguing and enjoyable games I have played in a long time.

    This genre has been seriously lacking for a very long time with games like Theme Hospital just a distant memory. The new breed of Sim City has also been a major letdown and whilst I was skeptical of Prison Architect for the price and in longevity terms; I can see this game leading the field of strategy and creativity for years to come.

    The top-down presentation is simple yet superb. The user-friendly interface makes navigation simple and easy to use. There is quite a lot of stuff to do in terms of construction and designing so having such a well-designed layout of functions is crucial to this games brilliance. The strategic depth here is also incredible and the way you design your prison and how you manage prisoners happiness can be huge factors to your overall success.

    The bigger your prison becomes; the tougher it is to manage. Suddenly you have maximum security prisoners at your door and it's up to you to expand and enhance your prison to accommodate the influx whilst keeping people including staff and fellow inmates happy and safe. There is a considerable challenge here particularly when you grow your prison and the population. The level of depth in the design of your prison along with the management strategy aspect is simply staggering.

    Overall, Prison Architect is an amazing game even at alpha stage. It's polished and incredibly well designed in all areas. The developers have done an amazing job so far and this game will only grow further in months to come. Finally an early access title that isn't bug-ridden and broken and one that definitely warrants the price.    … Expand
  17. matheus_hk
    Oct 31, 2013
    9
    It's a 9 on alpha and very likely to hit 10 when it's finished.
    (Almost) anything is possible. From the hole with forced labor and solitary confinement just for harassment and lots of beating to the human-rights-activists-utopia-penal-spa that will make your prisoners eager to kill someone as soon as they're released just to be allowed back in.
    Unlike what other reviews said, I didn't    It's a 9 on alpha and very likely to hit 10 when it's finished.
    (Almost) anything is possible. From the hole with forced labor and solitary confinement just for harassment and lots of beating to the human-rights-activists-utopia-penal-spa that will make your prisoners eager to kill someone as soon as they're released just to be allowed back in.

    Unlike what other reviews said, I didn't have any problems playing the game. The prisoners will try to escape if they're not happy and will riot if their condition makes it look worth getting beat up for a chance on escaping. That's what prisoners do. They smuggle stuff, they dig tunnels, they fight... they're not highly-educated and moralist citizens in a hotel. They want to get out. If things are really bad they'll die trying.

    But the alpha and the "early access" aren't just for show. The game is still under development and they make it very clear that they're focusing on new content rather than bug fixing. You'll notice lots of useless features (that will mention that they're useless in this alpha build). You'll have prisons stop working after monthly new release. The cool glitches you exploited may be fixed while the bugs that annoyed you are still there.

    It's really expensive. But it's fun enough to make it worth.

    If you have no problems with paying lots of money for the alpha early access, it's a good purchase. But you can always wait until the development is done and hope for price to go down or a cool sale to make it less expensive.    … Expand
  18. FPSSucks
    Dec 28, 2013
    9
    I strongly recommend this. It controls fantastically, great UI and great fun. It may be in alpha but I hardly come across any bugs. The only problem is the price. $17.99? NO. Buy it in the Steam sales.
  19. TheMasiMan1
    Nov 19, 2015
    9
    Prison Architect is a prison building game. Theres also an Escape Mode, in witch you become a prisoner and need to break out of a prison you builded. The campaign in Prison Architect is decent and really beatifull. Prison Architect is worth buying if you like building and managing games. I do.
  20. ThePCGamer101
    Jun 24, 2015
    9
    If you love Bullfrog Productions type of simulation games such as Theme Hospital or Theme Park or other great games like the RollerCoaster Tycoon series, then this game is the game for you!

    Usually I don't buy early access games, as I feel that I am worried that if something happens, all my money is wasted. I also usually don't buy early access games because either they are unstable or    If you love Bullfrog Productions type of simulation games such as Theme Hospital or Theme Park or other great games like the RollerCoaster Tycoon series, then this game is the game for you!

    Usually I don't buy early access games, as I feel that I am worried that if something happens, all my money is wasted. I also usually don't buy early access games because either they are unstable or broken and are not fixed or may cause problems. However, with Prison Architect, I really feel that Introversion Software know what they are doing, they constantly update the game every month and the game is very friendly with its players.

    Obviously this game does have bugs and some glitches, but through my playtime I have only noticed one bug! In an early access game! Very impressive! The game runs very well and I am very happy that I bought this game. This will probably my first and last early access game!

    Well done, Introversion Software!    … Expand
  21. Potatobot
    Jul 12, 2014
    9
    This game is awesome,Im pretty much whinot words,But they need to add protective custody,death row,supermax,So the game gets more a prison look,Its in alpha,but its pretty good to play.
  22. eeyk
    Oct 20, 2015
    9
    i never played the beta but i did buy the full version i enjoyed it.
    Played for 10 hours straight. and than there was a huge riot and i was going to prison my self so i could break out my own prison. well it was fun.
  23. Sawt00th
    Sep 23, 2014
    9
    Brilliant game, rewarding, deep and satisfying. Although I have no idea how this still in Alpha it has been there for what seems like years. Each update is frequent and contains nice new features. Only draw back is currently a backer can pay more money to create a prisoner in the game. Which was a cool element, although now people are adding all sorts of crap backgrounds and miss-spellingBrilliant game, rewarding, deep and satisfying. Although I have no idea how this still in Alpha it has been there for what seems like years. Each update is frequent and contains nice new features. Only draw back is currently a backer can pay more money to create a prisoner in the game. Which was a cool element, although now people are adding all sorts of crap backgrounds and miss-spelling words and generally detracts from the experience when the blurb about the prisoner is half in CAPS and half in broken nonsense. That said, brilliant Simulation game, well worth your time.… Expand
  24. Browncoyote
    Apr 21, 2015
    9
    This game is literally one of the most challenging indie games that I have played in a long while. The replay ability is off the charts. You will not just make one prison. There is a really nice tutorial. The sprites are detailed but minimalist. The content would probably have a T or M rating.
  25. bobant92
    Nov 18, 2015
    9
    so many features, and the updates are still coming. one of the best strategy management games of all times for me. the best thing about this game, that the developers actually care about the game next to the dough they make with it and it received so many content updates since i first played with it that i was really impressed with the end result.

    in this game, you can build your own    so many features, and the updates are still coming. one of the best strategy management games of all times for me. the best thing about this game, that the developers actually care about the game next to the dough they make with it and it received so many content updates since i first played with it that i was really impressed with the end result.

    in this game, you can build your own prison, big or small, maximum or minimum security or anything between, manage it, and the timetable of your prisoners and staff and make sure the prisoners stay in there and dont kill too much of eachother and your staff.

    they included a lot of the aspects of prison life which are important from a management standpoint. there are gangs which can gain power and cause trouble, contraband, smuggling, riots, escapes and a whole lot of other things. you will also recieve a bunch of tools and cash with your prisoners to stop them from misbehaving.

    you can house extremely dangerous murderous scum in a 1x1 cells with only a bucket to do the deed and extreme security measures with an overkill amount of guards patrolling 24/7 or you can go the rehabilitation way with people who commited something petty, rewarding them with big cells, televisions and other luxuries if they behave. they might also get a parole hearing if they are really good and you build a parole hearing office. if you are really skilled, you can try to rehabilitate murderous scum also, but it will take some patience and skill.    … Expand
  26. iseeall
    Dec 7, 2015
    8
    8/10. A nice and funny tycoon game. To my wife I said "it's like Theme Hospital but if too many patients gather in one place they start fighting".
    The Good:
    - funny graphics, and nice sound (especially the background sound in different rooms and the hilarious prison fight/riot ambients) - it's interesting to plan rooms and build from individual tiles, not just as rectangles - the game    8/10. A nice and funny tycoon game. To my wife I said "it's like Theme Hospital but if too many patients gather in one place they start fighting".
    The Good:
    - funny graphics, and nice sound (especially the background sound in different rooms and the hilarious prison fight/riot ambients)
    - it's interesting to plan rooms and build from individual tiles, not just as rectangles
    - the game tries to give both views on whether the prison system should be more about punishing/deterring or about treating/educating
    - the game is frequently updated, and new features keep getting added, so it's worth to replay it after a few months
    - every prisoner has his own biography and personal data. One biography even said "I am a real person!"
    - the game runs pretty fast. As a programmer, I wonder how all those hundreds of characters on the screen do their pathfinding calculations so efficiently.
    - the tutorial missions are very well designed and make you feel comfortable by giving you a few already running prisons and letting you add minor stuff

    The So-so:
    - the game shows a US or Western European prison, which feels more like a student dormitory or a 0-star hotel where the only bad thing is dangerous neighbors. The prison itself gives you food, a separate room with a TV, even free education and medical treatment - things 3/4 of working people in the word might not have. So I guess for players outside the golden billion the game creates a strange feeling of absurdity - but at the same time it is an educational experience, like "gee, those rich guys are nuts!". Even work is done voluntarily and for payment! And a prisoner who kills a guard doesn't get an electric chair, just solitary for 8 hours?! The main source of revenue is Prison Grant (taxpayers' money), and the prisoners themselves produce very little. I guess I could go to the US and kill somebody just to save on rent :) I guess they'd let me place a PC in my cell? I heard in German prisons they even get a free session with a prostitute once in a while :)
    - the story is pretty mediocre, but honestly I don't think one could come up with anything better because we've seen tons of crime movies and most crime-related real-life stories are pretty banal.
    - it's a sandbox game like Mincraft, and you can share your prison with others. I checked a few dozens, but it's either just some random prison you can get when you play without any special purpose - or a prison which tries to look like something well known (e.g. Star Trek spaceship). Apart from aesthetics, this doesn't change the game much, suggesting that, as good as it is, it's a pretty much fixed experience which you will get on most replays.
    - the Escape mode is completely broken but it's nevertherless fun for an hour.

    The Bad:
    - given the complex systems this game has, much is left unexplained. E.g. what defines how many prisoners can work in a Laundry? Or what at all defines the efficiency of a Laundry? How many wash machines I need, how big the room should be - all that I had to find out in online wikis. Nothing is explained about CCTVs, remote doors and phones (does one have to connect them or not? Why do some CCTV links become red?)
    - it seems that the Programs scheduling is bugged somehow. Often I'd have lots of "Queued" prisoners for a program but none would participate - pretty annoying when you can't start any Workshop production without training first. I guess this might be due to overlapping classes, or if you add/remove objects into rooms there will be more/less places, or some prisoners may be a few days into a program already and their progress is taken into account somehow etc. This system is overcomplicated - even if it worked bug-free, most players would be overtaxed by it. And I'd wish to have the option to send any prisoner to obligatory training and obligatory jobs, even if that makes him angry.
    - I was surprised when the game ended after just the 5th episode. I did have a prison for 300 prisoners already with all rooms built, but I expected at least one more mission where CCTVs and other maximum-security elements were explained.
    - Dormitories don't work well. Is there a minimal 4-tile requiement for a prisoner to live in a dorm? The game should say that or there should be no minimal reqs.    … Expand
  27. Maltxe
    Jun 7, 2014
    8
    This game is one of the best kinds of managing a prison, even if it is currently in alpha. You can build a prison as you want, manage at better or let it burn in the flames from your prisoners.
    A few bugs to fix, but you can safely play.

    Good gameplay, discrete graphics and pretty funny. Good game.
  28. Boltonhero
    Sep 14, 2013
    8
    Loving the game! Even though it's in alpha I rarely found any bugs, but the bugs I found were game breaking but even though this game has some bugs it is very fun and addicting to build your own prison!
  29. Hoodinski
    Sep 30, 2014
    8
    Excellent stuff- innovative, entertaining and very addictive. The mix between building and keeping the prisoners in order is a very enjoyable task. And I love the way this game looks.
  30. SQG_Slasher
    Jan 23, 2014
    8
    For an Alpha version, this game certainly has accomplished a lot. The mechanics and gameplay are pretty simple with little to no complexion within the game, that is, until you make your prisons massive! It also handles similar to that of a real prison, with the player having to create a daily regime for his or her prisoners, as well as hiring certain staff to do special things for yourFor an Alpha version, this game certainly has accomplished a lot. The mechanics and gameplay are pretty simple with little to no complexion within the game, that is, until you make your prisons massive! It also handles similar to that of a real prison, with the player having to create a daily regime for his or her prisoners, as well as hiring certain staff to do special things for your prisons.

    It is a little buggy though, but you would expect that as it is an alpha, but these bugs aren't too nasty or annoying and in no way spoil the art of this great game. Introversion Software have done a great job at creating 'The World's First Lock-'em-Up' and I hope that this game will be successful as soon as it comes out of alpha and onto Steam's featured game's list and Game's game shelves.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best PC Game of 2015
61
#61 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
21
#21 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. CD-Action
    Mar 30, 2016
    80
    A surprisingly complex and enjoyable simulation of a correctional facility. [03/2016, p.64]
  2. PCWorld
    Jan 19, 2016
    80
    Prison Architect's genius is in translating a real-world debate into video game terms, forcing players to make tough choices with no good solutions.
    Read full review
  3. Edge Magazine
    Dec 12, 2015
    80
    Learn its quirks, however, and Prison Architect's sandbox permits a dizzying breadth of options for establishing for-profit penal facilities. [Christmas 2015, p.120]
See all critic reviews »