The Escapists breaking into Steam Early Access next week

The Escapists was revealed as one of next year’s Xbox One games at Microsoft’s Gamescom conference, but it’s hitting Steam Early Access next week.

The Escapists is a Team 17-published game developed by Mouldy Toof Studios that puts you in prison. Within the confines of the prison walls and daily schedule, you’re free (um…) to plan and pull off your eventual daring escape. Obviously, the guards are trying to prevent this, so you’ll have to work around the schedule, sneak around the prison, craft or steal tools and weapons, perform favours for other inmates or apply for a job to make some money, and generally get yourself in a position where you’re ready to break out. There are multiple possible escape routes, too, so you’ve got plenty of options.

Which sounds pretty aces, honestly. I like the idea of a freeform title in which I have to work my way around a schedule and hide my true intentions, so if done well, this could be something rather special. We’ll be able to find out how The Escapists is shaping up when the Early Access build hits Steam next week, on 20 August, where it’ll cost £6.99.