Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School builds on the 2022 puzzle game with a longer collection of escape rooms designed for cooperative play. The sequel launches November 5 on PlayStation 5, Windows PC and Xbox Series X, and will be available on Game Pass from day one.
Players return to a school where completing escape rooms is part of their education. Each room combines smaller, connected puzzles that lead to a larger solution. In one example, players must climb a clock tower by working out how to use clues including shapes, rope and scattered moons.
The game puts an emphasis on shared problem-solving. Rooms offer multiple riddles to tackle at once, so players can split up to search for clues and compare what they find. Split-screen remains available during online play, allowing each partner to see the other’s actions and the clues they are carrying.
A new campus area adds another layer of exploration between escape rooms. Players can take on side quests, find collectibles and uncover secret puzzles, with more areas opening as they progress. The wider setting also lets co-op partners explore separately and pursue different activities before regrouping.
The sequel also attempts to give the series a stronger narrative, revealing more about the school and its founders. However, the story is delivered mainly through visual-novel-style sequences, and the writing can feel overly punny. The puzzles remain the main draw: they are designed to be approachable while still requiring communication and cooperation, making the game a particularly fitting option for couples and other co-op pairs.
Sources: Polygon.