Prison Architect 2 Preview

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The construction and management genre might build its brand around games like and other light-hearted fare, but it also houses titles like Originally developed by Introversion Software, the first was a scrappy breakout hit that became a powerhouse platform for DLC releases once publisher Paradox and studio Double Eleven took the reigns. is a leap into 3D handled by that latter team, although yet another shift in studios has just brought in Kokku to finish development.

Between this odd situation and a couple of major delays, the state of might seem concerning. All the basics are already in place, though, and there's plenty to explore in the early hours of its career mode and sandbox. spent some time checking out what's changed and what's stayed the same in a preview build of the game, an experience that offers some insight into whether longtime fans should anticipate the sequel.

Starting up immediately makes it clear how different the new 3D take feels. Although the grunge of the original is gone, the cartoon elements stay, translating into something that can feel a little Fisher Price. It's an odd disconnect with the somewhat evil nature of playing a prison management game, but the simplicity does make it easier for things to remain clearly legible in 3D. As progression builds toward giant prison complexes with inmates and workers all milling about, this initially flimsy argument starts to strengthen.

3D prisoners can also boast more complex animations than before, and watching what they get up to could be a big draw for. Interactions play out like little vignettes — some innocent, like exercising in the yard, and others grim. What's particularly exciting in is the promise of more complex systems to create genuine relationships and rivalries among inmates, although the time spent with the preview wasn't enough to see how deep this can go.

AI pathing seems a bit more prone to confusion at the extra layer of challenge.

The big selling point of 3D lies in the