An absolutely essential purchase for any fan of management simulators or strategy games.

With a few small flaws that did not impact the [enjoyment] of the game significantly, Prison Architect is a breakthrough game in the simulation genre. It demonstrates that an engaging story, a massive amount of content and endless replayability is more important than the bare bones idea of simulation and construction.

It’s safe to say that Prison Architect isn’t a game for everyone; if you’re not a fan of building and management simulation games, then there’s little that will sway your opinion. For those that do enjoy them however, Prison Architect is one of the best.

If you're a fan of simulations, Prison Architect is one of the best there is.

Prison Architect is an engaging experience, adding personality to a genre that's failed to evolve in years. Between a range of interlinking mechanics and ingeniously portrayed narrative, the game sits among the best management simulations on the Xbox One. While the game has its downfalls following a port from the PC, the game still performs amazingly on Microsoft's flagship console.

the majority of my time with the game was stimulating and enjoyable. Hours flew by and it was hard at times to find a stopping place – there was always some project that I needed, and wanted to get done. Prison Architect allows for freedom and creativity with its deep simulation systems and the multitude of player options. Players may become surprisingly invested in their prison and in their prisoners, something that can only be achieved by letting them mess with every small detail.

The game is intriguing and offers a unique experience; however, none of its well-executed ideas are worth anything if the game simply doesn’t function properly.