Escaping The Prison Game

In this classic entry in the Henry Stickmin series, you find yourself locked in a mountaintop prison with a singular goal: get out. A mysterious package containing a cake arrives at your cell, hiding an array of tools that kick off a branching choose-your-own-adventure story. Every scene presents a new obstacle and a handful of potential solutions, from high-tech gadgetry to simple brute force.

The core loop is pure trial and error, but that is entirely the point. Most of your choices will lead to sudden, ridiculous failures, complete with their own unique animations and sarcastic death screens. Progressing means finding the few logical (or brilliantly illogical) choices that actually push Henry closer to the exit, discovering all three distinct escape endings along the way.

Controls

The entire game is point-and-click. You simply use your mouse to select an action or item when prompted on screen. There are no time limits for most choices, so you can take your time deciding your next move.

Tips

• Don't avoid failing: The death screens are the main draw of the game. You haven't really completed a Henry Stickmin game until you've seen every single way to mess up.
• The Teleporter is a trap: It's a recurring gag in the series that the teleporter never puts you where you actually want to be. It will consistently lead to a game over.
• Try the cell phone: For one of the more unique endings, use the phone to call in a favor rather than trying to physically break out of the facility.

If you enjoy slapstick comedy and games that don't take themselves seriously, this interactive animation is a perfect nostalgic distraction.