The cleverly titled NEScape!, from developer KHAN Games and publisher 8-Bit Legit, takes its inspiration from the growing popularity of escape rooms. Originally released in 2019 and now on the Switch and Xbox, it plays out as a point-and-click adventure where you uncover items needed to escape by solving puzzles across four chapters.
NEScape! has some tough puzzle challenges and the difficulty is compounded by the one-hour time limit that you have to escape. You must start again if you run out of time but can quickly retrace your progress as the puzzles don’t change.
You use a mouse-style pointer with one action button to select or use items and, with the interface being clean, only the taxing puzzles will slow you down. The graphics are good in places with great use of lighting effects. Some of the pixel art detail within the rooms is impressive considering the limitations of the NES.
The only criticism of NEScape!’s presentation is in the audio department. Some of the puzzles require you to listen to recordings and several of them needed to be listened to multiple times before understanding the clue. This isn’t a major concern though and overall NEScape! looks and sounds the part of a classic 80s NES title.
Once you complete NEScape! there isn’t much to go back to but the high difficulty should keep even the sharpest minds busy for some time. Those who enjoy lateral thinking puzzles, trial-and-error gameplay and minigames will find a lot of joy with this one.
