Escape Simulator 2, A Review

You get the brain‑teasing of a classic escape room, without the hassle of arranging a time or finding parking. And you don’t even need friends!

It’s no wonder I was eagerly waiting for Escape Simulator 2. And now that the game is here, I’m definitely not disappointed. On the contrary, I’ve been even more captured by the fun of escaping traps with a bit of brain work.

If you’re in a mood for something completely different, check out our Winter Burrow Cozy Review!

Three Thematic Sections with Four Unique Rooms

Escape Simulator 2 currently has three thematic sections, each with four unique rooms. Some will say that’s fewer than the original had. That’s true, but in the sequel you need much more time to solve the puzzles. Not only are they harder, there are also those that require moving through several rooms to find the right key.

As for the themes, there’s a dark and scary Dracula castle, the mysterious spaceship Starship ESO, and the pirate-themed The Cursed Treasure. It’s amazing how well everything is done; every puzzle has a concrete start and end. Anything you pick up can be relevant at any moment.

A good thing is that you can pin clues to the screen so you don’t have to constantly reach into the inventory while solving problems. The game forces you to think much more than the original did. And it feels great when you reach the final answer. Leafing through books, lighting fire, turning a cage, basically anything you can pick up has some use, even just to kill boredom while thinking.

Interactivity in each room is quite satisfying. Besides being able to pick up practically everything to discover what a clue needs, you have other options. For example, you can sit in a chair and rest a bit, or lie on a bed and relax from the brain work. A nice feature is that you have 45 minutes to find the exit. However, if you want a longer break, the game won’t punish you – you can keep thinking after the timer stops. Escape Simulator 2 offers fun for everyone: both those who want a challenge and those who prefer a slower pace.

Playing Chess and Solving Puzzles Together in Escape Simulator 2

In addition to the main clues and various evidence, each room hides eight puzzle pieces. By collecting the pieces from each room you can assemble them in the lobby and discover which picture is being sought. Don’t think it will be easy. The puzzles are hidden in very clever places. You’ll have to open your eyes well and find them, because sometimes they can be right in front of you, perfectly blended into the background, and you won’t notice them.

Don’t let yourself be stuck if you get trapped in a room and can’t find the solution. Escape Simulator 2 has a solution, so you can activate hints that give you a certain number of paper slips with drawn steps for solving puzzles. However, I have to admit that sometimes the tips hinder more than help. Sometimes they’re not clear, which can lead to frustration, because how is it possible that a hint actually complicates the whole thing?

Escape Simulator 2 introduced a lobby novelty where, among other things, you can play chess with friends. Besides chess and assembling puzzles, you can enter any of the three themed escape sections, and on a small panel you have a reminder of which rooms you’ve successfully completed. There’s also a mirror to change your character’s appearance, a smart phone to call other players to join you, a gramophone to change music… There are even cookies to snack on while waiting for others. Pure delight!

Escape Simulator 2 Runs Flawlessly Even with Heavy On‑Screen Action

After each successfully completed room, you get the opportunity to solve “the darkest puzzles”. These are more complex variations of the puzzles you’ve seen before. Some are very hard, so hard that you have to call a friend to help you solve them. If you can’t, you can try again later!

To keep you from getting bored, there are community rooms, which in the sequel are a bit different than in the first game. Besides being able to enjoy the rooms, Room Editor 2.0 lets you create your own rooms and set puzzles as you wish. Creation is complex and takes a lot of time to master, but once you succeed, you’ll certainly be proud of your creation.

The most noticeable change in Escape Simulator 2 is its look, i.e., the visual style. From the cartoonish look of the original we have moved closer to a realistic appearance, and the bright palette of the first game has been replaced by a darker one in the sequel. The lighting in ES2 is excellent, and some rooms and landscapes look like they’re from real life. In one room there’s an option to go out onto a balcony with a view of a beautiful valley, which is a nice substitute for touching grass.

However, I can’t shake the feeling that at certain moments you can see rough textures. It doesn’t ruin the game, but it’s noticeable. There are also rooms where you start trapped or stuck and have to escape using puzzles. The transition back to normal player state after that isn’t very fluid, which sometimes breaks the immersion. As for optimization, I have no complaints. Escape Simulator 2 runs very smoothly on the steam deck, even when there’s a lot on screen.

In Conclusion 

If Escape Simulator was a look at the world and the game through a child’s perspective because of its colorful rooms, the sequel comes in a more serious tone aimed at adults. The atmosphere is fantastic, the puzzles make you think hard, and you can relax with a game of chess. Because who doesn’t love playing chess, especially with friends! 

A more serious and mature approach will test your spatial navigation and logical reasoning skills. To the point that you’ll come out of it a different person. Anyone who is at all a fan of puzzles, riddles and challenges will definitely enjoy this game.

Escape Simulator 2 is a clear step forward from the original. More complex, bigger and prettier; it proves that even without major gameplay changes, sequels can be great. Worried about the price being the same as the original, which now offers more content? No worries – the sequel replaces the lack with a more meaningful and complex execution. 

Both games offer fun and countless hours of virtual puzzle solving. It doesn’t matter which order you play them, but one thing is clear – Escape Simulator 2 is the next step in evolution and the direction the series should take in the future. And that future shouldn’t be missed.

Rating: 7.5/10 

The game shines with its puzzle depth and polished visuals, but occasional clamsy transitions and uneven hints keep it from being perfect.

Recommended age: 12 years and up 

The puzzles demand logical reasoning and patience, and some themes are darker, so younger kids may find them too intense.

Gemini AI summary

Escape Simulator 2 expands on its predecessor with three themed sets of four rooms each, offering harder, multi‑room puzzles and a more realistic visual style. Players can pin clues, enjoy offline play, and access hints, while new lobby features like chess and a room editor add replayability. Though some textures and transitions feel rough, the game runs smoothly and provides a mature, immersive puzzle experience suitable for ages 12+.