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Pardon the dust! This page includes some jargon that hasn't been added to the site's glossary yet. I'll be around to fix this later, but sorry for the inconvenience in the meantime. |
Review: Escape Goat
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:There are several save slots, and your progress is automatically recorded whenever you escape a room. To pause the game, press ESC to bring up the pause menu. Time needed per session:Most of the levels can be completed in just a few moments - assuming you know what their solutions are - but you might want to give yourself ten minutes or more to try things out.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | No - this is a great game for Christians Although the story claims the goat is involved with witchcraft, nothing too serious actually appears in this game. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/escape_goat_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/escape_goat_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/escape_goat_2.jpg)
Game Overview
A scapegoat is someone or something that takes the blame for someone else. Escape Goat, on the other hand, is a short puzzle game about a goat that was sentenced to prison for the crime of witchcraft. I'm not entirely sure how a goat could be found guilty of such a crime (perhaps they were a bad influence on the neighborhood kids?), but by the start of the game, it's much too late to worry about that, as the goat is already resting in their cell.
Of course, the goat is not the only creature serving time in this jail. There is also a small mouse and some sheep, all of whom are more than happy to help organize a jail break. The only problem is that the sheep's brothers are all incarcerated in their own sections, and they can't do much while separated. Thus, it's up to the goat and mouse to explore the dungeon and bring the entire flock together at the Gathering Place. Once enough sheep are present, they'll be able to open the final door and everyone can escape.
There's just one problem: most of the corridors are heavily trapped, and some are even patrolled by grim reapers who will attack any living beings they see. Additionally, the goat doesn't have any actual powers; the most it can do is trot around, headbutt something, and jump from place to place. Worse, if the goat is killed by a trap, grim reaper, or some other mishap, the level must be replayed from the beginning.
Fortunately, it turns out that someone does possess magical powers - it's the tiny mouse. They just need someone to carry them around and tell them what to do. You can send the mouse out to crawl along most surfaces (including ceilings), and you can also have it teleport itself back to the goat. Once the goat acquires a magical hat, the pair can even switch places on command. Alternatively, you can have the mouse stay in one spot while the goat heads somewhere else - a useful trick for keeping buttons pressed, distracting the grim reapers, or creating a place for the goat to return to using the magic hat. If you can figure out how to best utilize the pair's abilities, you'll find that they make quite a formidable team, and easily make your escape!
On the downside, this game is rather short. Most players will probably be able to complete the main game in a single afternoon. But, it's still worth a try if you're interested in solving some unique puzzles.
Of course, the goat is not the only creature serving time in this jail. There is also a small mouse and some sheep, all of whom are more than happy to help organize a jail break. The only problem is that the sheep's brothers are all incarcerated in their own sections, and they can't do much while separated. Thus, it's up to the goat and mouse to explore the dungeon and bring the entire flock together at the Gathering Place. Once enough sheep are present, they'll be able to open the final door and everyone can escape.
There's just one problem: most of the corridors are heavily trapped, and some are even patrolled by grim reapers who will attack any living beings they see. Additionally, the goat doesn't have any actual powers; the most it can do is trot around, headbutt something, and jump from place to place. Worse, if the goat is killed by a trap, grim reaper, or some other mishap, the level must be replayed from the beginning.
Fortunately, it turns out that someone does possess magical powers - it's the tiny mouse. They just need someone to carry them around and tell them what to do. You can send the mouse out to crawl along most surfaces (including ceilings), and you can also have it teleport itself back to the goat. Once the goat acquires a magical hat, the pair can even switch places on command. Alternatively, you can have the mouse stay in one spot while the goat heads somewhere else - a useful trick for keeping buttons pressed, distracting the grim reapers, or creating a place for the goat to return to using the magic hat. If you can figure out how to best utilize the pair's abilities, you'll find that they make quite a formidable team, and easily make your escape!
On the downside, this game is rather short. Most players will probably be able to complete the main game in a single afternoon. But, it's still worth a try if you're interested in solving some unique puzzles.
Points of Interest
Built in level editor
If you want to try your hand at creating your own Escape Goat levels, a level editor is provided as part of the game itself. Unfortunately, there isn't a place for players to share their custom levels, not even the Steam Workshop, so this feature is mainly for your own amusement these days.
Over 100 total levels
The Prison of Agnus contains 58 levels divided into nine corridors. The first eight corridors are where the sheep are located, and they consist of six levels each. The final corridor is ten levels long and leads out of the prison - clearing it beats the game. Should a player manage to complete these levels, they'll unlock a bonus section called "All Intensive Purposes", which features more than 40 additional levels. Completing these extra levels is optional, and something only the most skilled escape artists should attempt, as they are insanely hard.
Steam community features
While you're breaking out of prison, you can collect twelve achievements. Only three of these are earned by beating the main game - the rest are earned by solving specific rooms in very unique ways, such as killing every reaper, avoiding certain switches, or finding other unusual solutions.
For those who are interested, there is also a set of Steam trading cards available.
For those who are interested, there is also a set of Steam trading cards available.
Concerns and Issues
Very mild violence
While most of the game involves avoiding traps, it's possible for any of the prison's inhabitants to get hurt along the way. Blocks can fall on someone, saw traps can cut them, and then there are fires and explosions. But, regardless of who is hit, characters simply disappear - or in the case of the mouse, they'll just teleport themselves back to the goat to avoid any danger.
As an aside, it's important to remember that if the goat dies, the level restarts. You do have the option to restart a level manually, though this works by instantly "killing" the goat.
As an aside, it's important to remember that if the goat dies, the level restarts. You do have the option to restart a level manually, though this works by instantly "killing" the goat.
Hardly any magic
Despite the claim that the goat is involved with witchcraft, there's not much magic to be seen. In fact, the only really magical elements are the mouse's teleporting powers and the presence of the grim reapers. Everything else boils down to some sort of switch or gear mechanism. Even the sheep don't really seem to do anything more than force a door open, and I wouldn't call that magical.