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ESCAPE PLAN
review | PLAYSTATION VITA
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Publisher: Sony.
Developer: Fun Bits Interactive. Released: February 2012. Genre: Puzzle-Platformer. Other versions: PS4. Posted 29th March 2026. By Shane Battams © 2026 |
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When a new console launches, there’s normally at least one release that acts as a showcase for its unique characteristics, such as motion control. They prove a pivotal part of the opening salvo, though the quality of these games has tended to vary wildly. Escape Plan would serve as one such game, a puzzler from Fun Bits which mixes inventive brainteasers with touch controls. Sadly, the latter hampers the experience, with some motions causing more headaches than the puzzles themselves. Still, this title is worth a look for Vita aficionados.
Following the misadventures of Lil and Laarg, Escape Plan sees the duo attempting to free themselves from the clutches of the bumbling Bakuki, while avoiding all manner of hazards, including guards and environmental dangers, while traversing different parts of the facility. The story is told through occasional cut-scenes, but the silent-film aesthetic and whimsical music prove oddly compelling, like if Tim Burton did a 40s film. The visuals provide some comedy gold from Bakuki, and some of the leftfield moments, like a bizarre intermission dance from a bunch of goons, work well.
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A bit of brain power required: Lil and Laarg must utilise their unique abilities to circumvent the game's various deadly traps
This sets the stage for 21 levels of brain-matter testing action. Each sees you guiding one or both of the protagonists with the goal being to reach the exit. It’s often easier said than done, with hazards insta-killing both Lil and Laarg. Luckily, each has unique capabilities to help. Lil can juice up, which lets you dash or suck on air to inflate above ground, while Laarg can use his larger frame to smash through weaker walls and turn valves. Both can also interact with certain items, such as bubbles to traverse. The best stages see you needing to utilise both characters’ capabilities, showcasing genuinely intuitive design and solutions that feel satisfying to nail.
Sadly, control woes hurt Escape Plan’s charms. All the actions utilise the Vita touch controls. Even moving can be performed using swipes, though the D-pad offers a secondary option here. Others have no such fall-back. Moving while inflated requires tilting the handheld, distracting guards and sheep sees you tapping the back screen, and some platforms need a tap on either side of the handheld. Responsiveness is the main issue, with some motions registering better than others, but with such accuracy necessary during later levels, an ill-responding action can prove deadly. The worst is guiding sheep, with lacklustre AI only compounding these woes, and making these puzzles far harder than they should be. It’s not deal-breaking in most parts, but cheap deaths in a game which is already tough feels unsatisfying.
Sadly, control woes hurt Escape Plan’s charms. All the actions utilise the Vita touch controls. Even moving can be performed using swipes, though the D-pad offers a secondary option here. Others have no such fall-back. Moving while inflated requires tilting the handheld, distracting guards and sheep sees you tapping the back screen, and some platforms need a tap on either side of the handheld. Responsiveness is the main issue, with some motions registering better than others, but with such accuracy necessary during later levels, an ill-responding action can prove deadly. The worst is guiding sheep, with lacklustre AI only compounding these woes, and making these puzzles far harder than they should be. It’s not deal-breaking in most parts, but cheap deaths in a game which is already tough feels unsatisfying.
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Fun Bits’ title is also a little on the short side. Each puzzle lasts between 10 seconds and around a minute, though this is on a run with no errors. With all the deaths, the game will likely take around six hours to polish off. Each stage awards a star rating based on how quickly you finish, so those gunning for 3 stars on every level might sink more time into it. Once that's done, you might struggle to keep playing, as knowing the solutions reduces replay value. Challenges task you with completing levels with limited gestures – and one sadistic task asks you to finish the game with fewer than 20 deaths – but it feels like more of the same.
Escape Plan does earn some extra credit through its presentation. The black-and-white aesthetic works very well, animations are fluid and charming, and the litany of deaths (including being squashed by a giant fly swatter) are morbidly amusing. A smattering of cut-scenes look almost hand-drawn, and while brief, do appeal visually. Performance also holds steady, and loading times feel pretty snappy, which at least helps reduce the frustration of dying. Sound is also charming, with an understated, relaxing soundtrack, funny effects such as the canned audience applause when you kill a guard, and sparingly-used voice clips which do the job.
Escape Plan does earn some extra credit through its presentation. The black-and-white aesthetic works very well, animations are fluid and charming, and the litany of deaths (including being squashed by a giant fly swatter) are morbidly amusing. A smattering of cut-scenes look almost hand-drawn, and while brief, do appeal visually. Performance also holds steady, and loading times feel pretty snappy, which at least helps reduce the frustration of dying. Sound is also charming, with an understated, relaxing soundtrack, funny effects such as the canned audience applause when you kill a guard, and sparingly-used voice clips which do the job.
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Escape Plan is as charming as it is infuriating, with clever puzzle design and a likeable aesthetic undermined by inconsistent controls. Some will tire of frequent deaths, and cheap deaths from unresponsive controls is like throwing salt on the wound. Nevertheless, Vita lovers should still find a lot to like in this quiet yet addictive puzzler – though be aware, you may end up tearing your hair out.
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VERDICT
"Escape Plan is as charming as it is infuriating, with clever puzzle design and a likeable aesthetic undermined by inconsistent controls." OVERALL: 6/10 |
OTHER (MOSTLY) MONOCHROME GAMES REVIEWED
Vib Ribbon (2000, PlayStation)
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A Rose in the Twilight (2017, PlayStation Vita)
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