Highlights

  • Prison Architect 2 may struggle to live up to the content-rich experience of the original game, which received years of updates and DLC packs.
  • The transition from 2D to 3D graphics in Prison Architect 2 may alienate some fans who appreciated the unique art style of the original.
  • The fact that Prison Architect 2 is being developed by a different studio than the original may result in a loss of the charming qualities that made the game popular in the first place.

After sunsetting the original game at the beginning of 2023, Paradox has returned to the Prison Architect IP with the announcement of a full-fledged sequel. Prison Architect 2 will take the core gameplay of the original and bring it to a brand-new 3D landscape with mechanics to play with. While it remains to be seen if this game will be worth the price of admission, if it is anywhere near as content-rich as its predecessor, then the studio may have a hit on its hands. However, getting to that point may be a lot harder than Double Eleven may realize.

There seems to be a lot stacked up against Prison Architect 2 that may be hard to overcome. Just like with Cities Skylines 2, a sequel to Prison Architect already sounds like a risky endeavor after the original got years of content updates that expanded it in exciting new ways. On top of that, this sequel will be developed by a completely different studio, which means it may lose the charm of the original. And to make matters even worse, the initial reveal trailer seems to have fallen a bit flat with the fanbase. So, if Double Eleven is not careful, Prison Architect 2 may fail to make an impact.

Prison Architect
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How Prison Architect Has Changed Since The Paradox Interactive Acquisition

Three years ago Paradox Interactive purchased prison management simulator Prison Architect, and quickly got to work producing brand-new content.

Prison Architect 2 Will Have a Lot to Prove If It Wants to Excite the Fanbase

Prison Architect Has Had Years of Support

Prison Architect 2 will be following a game that got immense support during its tenure. The original first launched its alpha stage in 2012. Introversion then spent the next three years improving upon the game with consistent updates that added so much to the concept. After over 30 alpha updates, Prison Architect was officially released in October 2015. And while some may have thought the updates would end there, Introversion continued to expand upon the experience up until it sold the rights to Paradox in 2018. Once Paradox bought it, 11 DLC packs launched over four years alongside even more free updates.

All of these updates have helped create a game with hundreds of hours of content for players to sink their teeth into. It is consistently named one of the best that the simulation genre has to offer, which makes this follow-up feel extremely risky. Not only does Double Eleven have to ensure that Prison Architect 2 matches the quality of the original, but also that it features just as much content when it finally hits store shelves. If it is lacking in those areas, then it may prove controversial with fans, just like Cities Skylines 2 and Kerbal Space Program 2 were before it.

Prison Architect 2 May Take the Game Too Far From Its Roots

Prison Architect 2 will also be taking the concept from the 2D to 3D space. This will give players new ways to build out their prisons and should give the game a crisp modern feel, however, part of the charm of that original game was its 2D art style. It gave the game a unique flair similar to the likes of Rimworld, which will likely be sorely missed by some diehard fans. While the 3D art seems to be trying to keep some of that intact, it seems like a pretty jarring change that may put some players off.

Along with all of that, Prison Architect 2 will not even be developed by the studio that made the original. Introversion Software sold Prison Architect to Paradox in 2018 and has since gone on to launch a brand-new sci-fi game, The Last Starship, in early access. Double Eleven may be able to emulate Introversion's style, but the studio's lack of involvement may push some players away, especially if it fails to capture that same charm.

It remains to be seen if Prison Architect 2 can have the same success as the original did. The title was only just announced, so it will be a couple of months before players are even able to get their hands on it. And once they finally do, Double Eleven will hopefully be able to ease any worries and deliver a fantastic simulator. Because if it cannot, then fans may have little reason to move over.