Prison Architect isn't going to appeal to everyone; the simple graphics and initially overwhelming influence may scare off those hoping for something as immediately accessible and fun as Theme Park. Those who persevere will find an incredibly complex simulation that will gradually reveal more and more layers of strata as the hours invested pile up.
Avalanche Studios have managed to create a game that is true to its inspiration, while offering all the hallmarks of a AAA game.
It's clear from the critical mass of backers that this style of adventure left a lasting impact on the previous generation of gamers, and now that Wasteland 2 has delivered on its promise, this underserved genre seems poised to capture the imaginations of a new generation.
MachineGames have done a wonderful job capturing the essence of the old-school shooter while avoiding its pitfalls, and presenting it in a way that will attract new audiences. The result is a game that's as good as you remember its forebears being, even though it facilitates the player in ways that games from a decade ago didn't. This is Wolfenstein for the new generation, and it's worthy of the legacy.
I wasn't expecting much from the single player campaign, but Matt Makes Games has done a terrific job of retrofitting AI enemies that perfectly complement the game's fantasy art style and existing mechanics.