Ian Keary
The GuardianThe Guardian Prison Architect Review
Published 10/9/2015
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
100
+21 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCritic Atlas
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PS4 / Linux / Android / PC / iOS / Mac / X360 / XONE / Switch - 10/6/2015
Prison Architect
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.
- Developer
- Introversion Software
- Publisher
- Paradox Interactive
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Critic average
79
Average of 39 scored external reviews.
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Highly replayableDefining · Curated baseline
Strategic / planning-heavyDefining · Curated baseline
Systems / mechanics-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Buildcraft / customization-heavyDefining · Curated baseline
Side-content richDefining · Curated baseline
Punishing / high-pressureStrongly · Curated baseline
Unconventional / experimentalStrongly · Curated baseline
Serious / dark / groundedModerately · Curated baseline
Show 12 more descriptors
Whimsical / playful / lightheartedModerately · Curated baseline
Story / character-drivenModerately · Curated baseline
Puzzle / logic-focusedModerately · Curated baseline
Loot / progression-drivenModerately · Curated baseline
Atmosphere-driven / aesthetic identityModerately · Curated baseline
Exploration-drivenSlightly · Curated baseline
Run-based / proceduralNot present · Curated baseline
Reflex / execution-heavyNot present · Curated baseline
Combat / action-focusedNot present · Curated baseline
Cozy / low-pressureNot present · Curated baseline
Multiplayer / socialNot present · Curated baseline
Short / focusedNot present · Curated baseline
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Review coverage
Critic signal strength
Numeric critic scoring uses full scored reviews once available. Review-in-progress scores act as temporary early signal only until full review scores exist. Unscored reviews still count as coverage, but they are not included in the critic average.
High confidencePolarized
Critic avg
79
39 scored reviews
Total coverage
39
All coverage currently scored
Score range
0–100
Lowest to highest scored review
Signal shape
Polarized
Score range is 31+ points
Critic landscape
The critic average is 79 across 39 scored reviews, with a 100-point spread. Critics are far apart on this one.
How to read this
Treat the average carefully. A polarized landscape is where reviewer match, review text, and score deltas matter more than the headline number.
Most scored reviews currently sit in the 80–89 band.
Score distribution
Shows how included scored reviews are clustered across the normalized 100-point scale.
39 included scored reviews
90–1005 reviews · 13%
80–8927 reviews · 69%
70–795 reviews · 13%
Below 702 reviews · 5%
Showing 31-39 of 39 matching critic reviews. 39 total critic reviews. Page 4 of 4.
Paul Dean
EurogamerEurogamer Prison Architect Review
Published 10/7/2015
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
+1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPatrick Rost
GamingTrendGamingTrend Prison Architect Review
Published 10/6/2015
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
95
+16 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalBrendan Caldwell
Rock Paper ShotgunRock Paper Shotgun Prison Architect Review
Published 10/6/2015
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
0
-79 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalTravis Huinker
Gaming NexusGaming Nexus Prison Architect Review
Published 10/6/2015
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
88
+9 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalJoe Juba
Game InformerGame Informer Prison Architect Review
Published 10/6/2015
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
+1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalIGN Prison Architect Review
Published 10/6/2015
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
83
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalAnthony Gomez
COGconnectedCOGconnected Prison Architect Review
Published 10/6/2015
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
85
+6 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalKris Lipscombe
TheSixthAxisTheSixthAxis Prison Architect Review
Published 10/5/2015
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
+1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPlayer reviews
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