View source for Software:Escape Plan (video game)

{{Infobox video game
| title        = Escape Plan
| image        = escape-plan-logo.png
| image_size   = 240px
| caption      = Game Logo
| developer    = [[Company:Fun Bits Interactive|Fun Bits Interactive]]<br/> [[Company:Santa Monica Studio|Santa Monica Studio]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sms.dev.realpie.com/escape-plan/|title=Santa Monica Studios (SMS) Escape Plan Game|date=n.d.|website=Santa Monica Studio Website |accessdate=February 15, 2012}}</ref> <br/> Wholesale Algorithms <small>(PS4)</small>
| publisher    = [[Company:Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment]]
| designer     = 
| series       = 
| engine       = [[Software:Unity (game engine)|Unity3D]]
| released     = '''PlayStation Vita'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|February 14, 2012|PAL|February 22, 2012|JP|March 1, 2012<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=23954&redirect=no |title=Escape Plan（エスケープ プラン） （PS Store ダウンロード版） [Vita] |language=Japanese |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |accessdate=2019-05-02}}</ref>}}'''PlayStation 4'''<br />{{vgrelease|PAL|November 29, 2013|NA|December 3, 2013|JP|February 22, 2014<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=30293&redirect=no |title=Escape Plan（エスケープ プラン） （PS Store ダウンロード版） [PS4] |language=Japanese |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |accessdate=2019-05-02}}</ref>}}
| modes        = Single-player
| genre        = [[Software:Puzzle video game|Puzzle]]
| platforms    = [[Engineering:PlayStation Vita|PlayStation Vita]], [[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]]
}}

'''''Escape Plan''''' is a [[Software:Puzzle video game|puzzle]] [[Engineering:Video game|video game]] released for the [[Engineering:PlayStation Vita|PlayStation Vita]] in 2012, as a launch title. ''Escape Plan'' is the first title from new developer [[Company:Fun Bits Interactive|Fun Bits Interactive]] and is produced by Chris Millar, known for his previous work on [[Software:Fat Princess|Fat Princess]].<ref name=GSpot>{{cite web |last=Cocker |first=Guy |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/escape-plan-hands-on-preview/1100-6329210/ |title=Escape Plan Hands-On Preview |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |date=2011-08-16 |accessdate=2019-05-02}}</ref> In previews of the game it was noted for its sharp, black-and-white visuals, gruesome yet humorous tone<ref name=IGN>{{cite web |author=IGN PlayStation Team |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/21/the-best-vita-games-we-just-saw-take-two |title=The Best Vita Games We Just Saw, Take Two |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=2011-10-21 |accessdate=2019-05-02}}</ref> and its intuitive use of the PlayStation Vita's inputs including touch and gyroscopic control.<ref name=DTOID />

==Gameplay==
[[File:Escape-plan-screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|Players control two characters, Lil and Laarg (centre). One of Bakuki's minions can also be seen in this image (top left).]]

In ''Escape Plan'', the player controls two characters, Lil and Laarg, through a series of booby-trapped rooms using the PlayStation Vita's front and rear multitouch panels and motion controls. The gesture-based control system requires players to trace paths for the characters and tap obstacles to move them out of the way and clear a path for them.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} Traps range from a single brick lying on the floor to enormous rotating fan blades. Failure to guide Lil and Laarg to safety usually results in a gruesome death.<ref name=DTOID>{{cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |url=https://www.destructoid.com/preview-escape-plan/ |title=Preview: Escape Plan |website=[[Social:Destructoid|Destructoid]] |publisher=[[Social:Gamurs|Gamurs]] |date=2011-12-13 |accessdate=2023-01-20}}</ref>

The characters can traverse the game world in numerous ways. In some levels they are inflated with [[Chemistry:Helium|helium]], requiring the player to tilt the console to guide them as they float around the room.<ref>{{cite web |last=Keast |first=Matthew |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/escape-plan-hands-preview/ |title=Escape Plan hands-on preview |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc |date=2011-10-25 |accessdate=2012-01-29}}</ref> Lil and Laarg usually move relatively slowly and in order to avoid fast-moving traps the player must grab the characters and pull them quickly to safety by pinching the Vita, touching both the front and rear panels at once.<ref name=GSpot />

===''Bakuki's Lair''===
Chris Millar, Fun Bits Interactive team lead, announced on PlayStation Blog that ''Escape Plan'' owners would receive ''Bakuki's Lair'', a [[Software:Downloadable content|downloadable content]] (DLC) pack for ''Escape Plan'', on April 10, 2012. It adds 19 prequel puzzle rooms to the adventures of Lil and Laarg. Together with the DLC, the update brings new tweaks and improvements based on player feedback, allowing for more pin-point accuracy on tap blocks, as well as an adjustment to the game's Star Rating system. The patch also lays the foundation for future updates.<ref name=PSBLGUPDT />

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==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| VITA = true
| PS4 = true
| na = true
| MC_VITA = 71/100<ref name=MCVITA>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/escape-plan-2012/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita |title=Escape Plan for PlayStation Vita Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |accessdate=2019-05-02}}</ref>
| MC_PS4 = 73/100<ref name=MCPS4>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/escape-plan-2012/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Escape Plan for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |accessdate=2019-05-02}}</ref>
| AVC_VITA = B<ref name=AVClub>{{cite web |last=Teti |first=John |url=https://www.avclub.com/playstation-vita-launch-games-1798230498 |title=PlayStation Vita Launch Games |website=The A.V. Club |publisher=G/O Media |date=2012-02-20 |accessdate=2023-01-20}}</ref>
| Destruct_VITA = 4.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Sterling |first=James Stephanie |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-escape-plan/ |title=Review: Escape Plan (Vita) |website=Destructoid |publisher=Gamurs |date=2012-02-16 |accessdate=2023-01-20}}</ref>
| EuroG_VITA = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Donlan |first=Christian |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/escape-plan-review |title=Escape Plan Review (PlayStation Vita) |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |date=2012-04-04 |accessdate=2019-01-20}}</ref>
| GI_VITA = 7.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/escape_plan/b/playstation_vita/archive/2012/02/22/escape-plan-review-leather-puzzles-shy-guys-and-fart-sounds.aspx |title=Escape Plan (Vita): Leather, Puzzles, Shy Guys, And Fart Sounds |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=[[Company:GameStop|GameStop]] |date=2012-02-22 |accessdate=2019-05-03}}</ref>
| GameRev_VITA = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Bischoff |first=Daniel R. |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/54528-escape-plan-review |title=Escape Plan Review (Vita) |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |date=2012-02-24 |accessdate=2019-05-03}}</ref>
| GSpot_VITA = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Venter |first=Jason |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/escape-plan-review/1900-6361085/ |title=Escape Plan Review (Vita) |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |date=2012-02-29 |accessdate=2019-05-02}}</ref>
| GT_VITA = 8.4/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/zolqqa/escape-plan-review |title=Escape Plan (Vita) |website=GameTrailers |publisher=Viacom |date=2012-02-22 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327004309/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/zolqqa/escape-plan-review |archivedate=2014-03-27 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2019-05-03}}</ref>
| GT_PS4 = 7.2/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Huber |first=Michael |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/i1m4wx/escape-plan--ps4--review |title=Escape Plan - Review (PS4) |website=GameTrailers |publisher=Viacom |date=2014-01-08 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316143720/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/i1m4wx/escape-plan--ps4--review |archivedate=2014-03-16 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2019-05-03}}</ref>
| GB_VITA = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Navarro |first=Alex |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/escape-plan-review/1900-470/ |title=Escape Plan Review (PSNV) |website=Giant Bomb |publisher=Fandom |date=2012-02-17 |accessdate=2019-05-03}}</ref>
| IGN_VITA = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Moriarty |first=Colin |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/02/18/escape-plan-review |title=Escape Plan Review (Vita) |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=2012-02-17 |accessdate=2019-05-02}}</ref>
| IGN_PS4 = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Moriarty |first=Colin |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/12/05/escape-plan-ps4-review |title=Escape Plan PS4 Review |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=2013-12-04 |accessdate=2019-05-02}}</ref>
| Joystiq_VITA = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Fletcher |first=JC |url=https://www.engadget.com/2012-02-22-escape-plan-review.html |title=Escape Plan review: Shades of grey (Vita) |website=[[Software:Engadget|Engadget]] (Joystiq) |publisher=Yahoo |date=2012-02-22 |accessdate=2023-01-20}}</ref>
| PG_VITA = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Willington |first=Peter |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/escape-plan/escape-plan/ |title=Escape Plan |website=Pocket Gamer |publisher=Steel Media Ltd |date=2012-02-20 |access-date=2023-01-20}}</ref>
| PSM_VITA = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Review: Escape Plan (Vita) |magazine=PlayStation: The Official Magazine |publisher=Future plc |issue=58 |date=May 2012 |page=85}}</ref>
| PSQ_VITA = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Mason |first=Mike |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psnvita/escape_plan |title=Escape Plan Review (PS Vita) |website=Push Square |publisher=Gamer Network |date=2012-03-05 |access-date=2023-01-20}}</ref>
| TG_VITA = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Cowen |first=Nick |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2012/feb/17/ps-vita-launch-game-reviews |title=PS Vita launch titles – reviews (Escape Plan) |newspaper={{wipe|The Guardian}} |date=2012-02-17 |access-date=2023-01-20}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''The Digital Fix''
| rev1_VITA = 7/10<ref name=DigitalFix>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Lewis |url=http://gaming.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/714/escape-plan.html |title=Escape Plan Review (PS Vita) |website=The Digital Fix |publisher=Poisonous Monkey |date=2012-03-28 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324215651/http://gaming.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/714/escape-plan.html |archivedate=2014-03-24 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2023-01-20}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''Digital Spy''
| rev2_VITA = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=DigitalSpy>{{cite web |last=Langshaw |first=Mark |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a367995/escape-plan-review-vita/ |title='Escape Plan' review (Vita) |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |date=2012-02-27 |accessdate=2019-05-03}}</ref>
}}

At a preview event in October 2011, ''IGN'' editors ranked ''Escape Plan'' as their favourite PlayStation Vita game so far, commenting specifically on the game's "stunning", black and white chiaroscuro  visuals, "great" classical soundtrack and gameplay which makes good use of many of the Vita's control features.<ref name=IGN /> In a December 2011 preview of the game, ''[[Social:Destructoid|Destructoid]]''{{'}}s Samit Sarkar described it as "perhaps the best showcase of the Vita's unique capabilities".<ref name=DTOID />

Upon release, the game received "average" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.<ref name=MCVITA /><ref name=MCPS4 />

''Digital Spy'' gave the Vita version four stars out of five and called it "one of the most unique and charming looking games you'll ever play, and the pick-up-and-play value makes it perfect for a handheld. Minor control issues prevent it from achieving perfection, but it's still perhaps the most effective showcase of the Vita hardware to date."<ref name=DigitalSpy /> ''The A.V. Club'' gave it a B and said that its "macabre humor and beautiful black-and-white chiaroscuro look make it a welcome respite from the noise and flash of the other Vita launch titles. Sony has a knack for finding and funding indie developers with a refined sense of style."<ref name=AVClub /> ''The Digital Fix'' gave it seven out of ten and said, "In all, we can't help but think that ''Escape Plan'' represents a missed opportunity. The wonderfully stunning visuals, the understated sound track [sic] and intuitive control system so very nearly elevate the game into a posterboy for the new hardware. However, the short, unchallenging nature of the game moves us away from this territory and instead positions ''Escape Plan'' as more of an experience than an outright game, with the nods to cinematic practices of the past aiding its artistic endeavours."<ref name=DigitalFix /> ''Edge'' gave it a score of seven out of ten, saying, "It's not perfect, and even skilled players will struggle with some of the more demanding multitasking required for certain scenarios (the level-skip is an acknowledgement of the inconsistent difficulty), but it's clever, cunning and entertaining."<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |url=http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/escape-plan-review |title=Escape Plan review (Vita) |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future plc |date=2012-03-05 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307023512/http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/escape-plan-review |archivedate=2012-03-07 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2019-05-03}}</ref>

As of April 2012, ''Escape Plan'' was the number one selling PlayStation Network game on the PlayStation Vita.
<ref name=PSBLGUPDT>{{cite web |last=Millar |first=Chris |url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2012/04/02/1-psn-vita-game-escape-plan-adds-free-prequel-dlc-to-patch-1-01/ |title=#1 PSN Vita Game, Escape Plan Adds Free Prequel DLC To Patch 1.01 |website=PlayStation Blog Europe |publisher=[[Company:Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=2012-04-02 |accessdate=2023-01-20}}</ref>

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==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/escape-plan-psvita/ Official ''Escape Plan'' site]
* [http://www.funbits.com/ Fun Bits Interactive official website]
* {{moby game|id=/escape-plan}}

[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Escape Plan (video game)}}