Prison Architect (2015)

Introversion Software

Android · Linux · Mac · Nintendo Switch · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 4 · Xbox 360 · Xbox One · iOS

3.47 from 568 ratings

3594 members have it in their collection · 58 playing now · 1326 backlogged · 119 wish listed

How long? Main story 18h · with extras 43h (from 3 logged playthroughs)

The game is a top-down 2D construction and management simulation where the player takes control of building and running a prison. The player is responsible for managing various aspects of their prison including building cells and facilities, planning and connecting utilities, hiring and assigning staff, including a warden, guards, workers, and more. The player needs to recruit staff to unlock … Read more
The game is a top-down 2D construction and management simulation where the player takes control of building and running a prison. The player is responsible for managing various aspects of their prison including building cells and facilities, planning and connecting utilities, hiring and assigning staff, including a warden, guards, workers, and more. The player needs to recruit staff to unlock more aspects of the game. The player is also responsible for the finance, and keeping their inmates content. Read less
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Release dates

  • Oct 06, 2015 (Full Release) (Worldwide) Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
  • Jun 28, 2016 (Worldwide) PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Aug 02, 2016 (Worldwide) Xbox 360
  • May 25, 2017 (Full Release) (Worldwide) Android, iOS
  • Aug 20, 2018 (Worldwide) Nintendo Switch

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Featured in lists

çöp by Rerogshi · 298 games · 0

Rating distribution

5 stars
77
4 stars
205
3 stars
204
2 stars
74
1 star
8
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Community All Reviews Statuses

CorporateClone

Review CorporateClone 4/5 · Feb 6, 2025

This game has very simple mechanics, but addictive gameplay. Your job as a company rep is to build and maintain a profitable prison system to meet whatever criteria have been set for the scenario. The campaign has just 5 scenarios, so it's relatively quick to get through them if you build exclusively toward your objectives. I found, however, that it …

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This game has very simple mechanics, but addictive gameplay. Your job as a company rep is to build and maintain a profitable prison system to meet whatever criteria have been set for the scenario. The campaign has just 5 scenarios, so it's relatively quick to get through them if you build exclusively toward your objectives. I found, however, that it was entertaining to explore other options and build prison structures that were orderly and better decorated.

The very basic point of the game is to build a prison and keep the inmates in line. You can do this by fulfilling needs and improving their lives or by brute force. Beware, in either case, those cute little bubble people will quietly arm themselves and murder your guards when you aren't looking.

There is a story for the campaign that tries to deliver a serious message, but I found it hard to take seriously when the art style during gameplay is so cute and whimsical.

All in all, an entertaining experience if you want to get distracted by something different for a little while.

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anarchistica

Review anarchistica 2/5 · Jan 3, 2023

Cute but clunky

Playtime: 5h55m

Review

This is a zoo tycoon game in which you build a prison for humans instead. There's a good amount of guidance and plenty of "cheating" options, but ultimately i just lost interest. Building is quite clunky because of the need to manually build foundations. Certain gameplay elements are hidden in strange places. Finally, manually putting out a …

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Playtime: 5h55m

Review

This is a zoo tycoon game in which you build a prison for humans instead. There's a good amount of guidance and plenty of "cheating" options, but ultimately i just lost interest. Building is quite clunky because of the need to manually build foundations. Certain gameplay elements are hidden in strange places. Finally, manually putting out a fire in this game was one of the worst gameplay experiences i've ever had. Firemen would simply refuse to use their hose or walk straight through flames. No thanks.

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V1CGaming

Review V1CGaming 2/5 · Feb 11, 2022

Plan, build, fail, sell and try again.

Prison Architect is a solid sandbox prison builder with lots of diversity and scopes, but sadly its graphics and technical execution is lackluster. The user interface could be better and also controlling and interacting with the world partly feels counter-intuitive, some things are either confusing, bugged or both, which does harm the game flow.