Since its release in 2015, Prison Architect has become one of the most critically acclaimed sandbox simulation games around.
It’s no wonder that Paradox, the game’s publisher, has decided to greenlight a sequel. So what’s new in Prison Architect 2? What improvements and new features can we expect? Let’s take a closer look.
Adding a new dimension
The most drastic change from the original game is the move away from its characteristic 2D graphical style. Prison Architect 2 will feature 3D graphics with its own unique flair.
This allows for much more detail and, depending on your personal preference, can look more immersive and modern.
But the move to 3D is more than just an aesthetic choice – it brings with it several new features.
One major change is that your prison can now have multiple levels. At the start you’ll only be able to add one extra floor, but as you progress through the game – and the bureaucracy tab – you’ll unlock the ability to expand your prison to 4 levels.
This allows for bigger and more complicated prison designs that weren’t possible in the original. For example, you can create walkways for your staff to travel between buildings more quickly.
You can also carve out part of a level to create an observation point for your guards, giving them a direct view of what’s going on below.
Friends or Foes?
You could say that the inmates in Prison Architect 2 are also more three-dimensional than in the original. As well as the visual upgrade, they also get an upgrade in their personalities and relationships.
Communal activities such as showers allow for interactions between inmates. These can lead to inmates becoming friends – or mortal enemies.
Keep an eye out for inmates who hate each other and try to keep them apart – otherwise, things can get ugly. Close friendships can also lead to shenanigans and should be closely monitored unless you want some of your inmates to re-enact the Shawshank Redemption.
Oh, did we mention that the inmates are going to be smarter now, making them even more difficult to keep in line? Good luck with that!
Climb up the career ladder
Prison Architect 2 features a new Career Mode where you – the warden – rise through the ranks. You start as a humble branch manager, but as you progress through a series of prisons, each with different requirements, your position and income will grow.
This in turn unlocks new departments with unique bonuses for your prisons.
If you prefer the classic sandbox mode of the original game, don’t worry – you’ll still find it in Prison Architect 2.
As you can see, Prison Architect 2 has a number of new features that will certainly set it apart from the original. We, for one, can’t wait to try them out when the game is released!