Prison Architect Reviews

Prison Architect is ranked in the 79th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8 / 10.0
Jul 13, 2016

The pick up and play nature of Prison Architect in tandem with its wealth of gameplay options make this title far outshine its few flaws with a charming and engaging overall package.

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8 / 10.0
Jul 18, 2016

A lot of things can behave badly in prison, and I'm not just talking about the prisoners. But Prison Architect told me an engrossing story—and taught me a thing or two—with its tutorial and design.

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87 / 100
Jul 1, 2016

Introversion Software and Double Eleven did a superb job making sure Prison Architect was more than your typical simulation game.

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8 / 10
Jun 27, 2016

Prison Architect is a fantastic simulation game. Its clever systems combine in interesting and intuitive ways to create an experience which is tense, challenging, and engaging. Niggling control issues aside, the title is a terrific example of how a traditionally PC-only genre should be ported to consoles.

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85 / 100
Oct 6, 2015

I recommend the game wholeheartedly to that certain brand of gamer that gets satisfaction out of building intricate little machines and watching them go. It's a unique sandbox game that has all the necessary ingredients to hook you, if you let it.

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8.8 / 10.0
Oct 6, 2015

Prison Architect is one of the more unique game releases in years. What would seem daunting at first, with building and managing a prison, quickly reveals to be both an addictive and entertaining gameplay experience. While minor bugs can still be found from time to time, these don't distract from the overall enjoyment of creating the perfect prison. Entrepreneurial prison designers, this is the game you need to buy.

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ZTGD
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Oct 22, 2015

After some time with Prison Architect, I can't say that that I've completely warmed up to the genre just yet. Still, that doesn't mean I regret the time I spent playing it either. Even though Prison Architect has its share of flaws and limitations, it's still a fun experience I'm sure fans of the genre will enjoy.

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ZTGD
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jul 14, 2017

Prison Architect allows for freedom and creativity with its deep simulation systems and the multitude of player options. Players may become surprisingly invested in their prison and in their prisoners, something that can only be achieved by letting them mess with every small detail.

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GameCrate
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Aug 10, 2016

Prison Architect isn't the easiest game to delve into, but it provides patient players with a deep, challenging, and entertaining experience.

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Jul 8, 2016

Prison Architect is a solid simulation experience that raises the stakes thanks to pulling no punches when it comes to human beings being locked-up. A surprise treat.

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8 / 10.0
Jun 28, 2016

We like to have control in our games, us simulation-lovers. For me, it's because I know I can't control life. So I'm happy to dive in and control fake life. Plus, I have a general life-goal to never actually experience prison. Prison Architect satisfies a simulation need with a topic that is unique, and gives you lots of options to set up your dream prison. Dream prison? Sure.

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8 / 10
Aug 24, 2018

It's still an awkward fit for console controls, but the game beneath them is worth the effort nonetheless.

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7.2 / 10.0
Jun 28, 2016

Creating a candid simulation of a correctional facility is Prison Architect's purpose. Its power is allowing the player to decide if moral indifference—their own or Prison Architect's—is either a strength or weakness. Prison Architect's trip to the PlayStation 4 undermines its capability with an unnecessary layer of obstruction, but the interference it creates isn't impossible to overcome.

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7.5 / 10.0
Jul 14, 2016

Prison Architect is an excellent sandbox, a throwback to the days of Bullfrog's Theme series that forces you to balance an eye for aesthetics with pure functionality. Those who don't need to be led by the hand to explore the deep systems at play will find an excellent simulation to lose themselves in, with online sharing options providing a huge selection of prisons to explore, tear down and rebuild. If you can stomach the morality of prisons for profit you will enjoy Prison Architect.

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2.5 / 5.0
Jul 31, 2016

The game definitely suits one who loves crafting games, though as a beginner in the field this game works well as it's fairly user friendly and small enough in scale you won't get lost in it, strangely addictive at times yet not enough to steal you away from the big names in terms of longevity.

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games(TM)
games™ Team
Top Critic
8 / 10
Sep 29, 2016

Smart, thought-provoking and uniquely compelling

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Unscored
Oct 6, 2015

Prison Architect is a mostly-honest and unflinching look at our modern society and its approach towards prisoner rehabilitation...or lack thereof. It's a fascinating game, in no small part because it so expertly casts a real-world debate in video game terms and in doing so forces players to examine their own beliefs. And it's a hell of a lot of fun, besides.

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8 / 10.0
Oct 14, 2015

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.

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4 / 5.0
Oct 20, 2015

Prison Architect is a genuinely fun game that makes you think in unexpected ways. Apart from some slight campaign fatigue and an Escape Mode with plenty of potential but poor execution, it's hard to put it down. A surprising depth of character draws you in and a depth of gameplay that keeps you there. If you love the Tycoon style of game then this is definitely for you. If that's not your thing, then give Prison Architect a go anyway, you will be pleasantly surprised. Until you realize that it's 3:23 am and you have work tomorrow, at least.

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8 / 10.0
Jul 1, 2016

Prison Architect is a great simulator that made the transition from computers to console admirably.

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