Well i’ll be. Just as you think you’re getting a handle on things, they (Introversion) only go and throw you a hastily improvised curve ball. Perhaps one made out of a pilfered pillow case and a half shredded galosh.

Prison Architect is getting a new mode…

So you know Prison Architect, right? The game where you’re an architect of an, um, Prison. The whole aim was to build the most efficient and inescapable prison you can with the resources you have. It was maddeningly addictive, and it hasn’t even (really) been finished yet. Turns out they’re ready to release. It also turns out they’re adding a new mode.

Escape mode sees the traditional PA gameplay turned on it’s head.  Take control of an individual prisoner, load any of the tens of thousands of prisons uploaded to the Steam Workshop and get on with the important business of escaping.  Earn experience points by shanking a guard, form up a posse of rough-necks and head to the armoury to shoot your way out or nick some tools from the workshop and start digging a tunnel hidden behind a picture of Raquel Welch.

So, that’s new.

Prison Architect opens with the story of Edward, a man facing the electric chair for committing a crime of passion.  Introversion have extended this with 4 additional chapters focusing on different characters and varying aspects of prison life.  From Mafia Dons to power-crazed senators, Prison Architect has them all! To bring these characters to life, Introversion teamed up with award winning professional writer Chris Hastings, producing an enthralling tale of corruption and human misery set against the background of the modern prison industrial complex.

This all sounds, pretty brilliant if you ask me.

We’ve been pinged a review copy, so if any of us can tear ourselves away from the Phantom Pain, we’ll have a look and give you The Reticule’s verdict.

Certainly one to think about folks….