Prison Architect 2 gets March 2024 release date – and a new artstyle

Those guys are chonk

Prison Architect 2 has a release date: Double Eleven and Paradox Interactive’s management game is coming to PC on March 26, 2024.

Though nothing much about the core formula of the game seems to have changed in the sequel – you’re still going to build and administer your own personalized penitentiary – fans will have to get used to one huge change compared to the original: 3D visuals.

That’s right, Prison Architect’s 2D graphics, which are reminiscent of titles like RimWorld, won’t make it over to the sequel, which is going to feature an all-new 3D visual style with some rather chonky characters.

Prison Architect 2 in all its new glory :: Double Eleven / Paradox Interactive

Of course, this change has some gameplay implications as well, such as the ability to build up your prisons over multiple floors now, giving you tons of fresh options to design a penitentiary of truly nightmarish proportions. Or you can focus on being nice and helping the prisoners get their lives back on track, whatever floats your boat.

Inmates will form individual relationships with other prisoners in Prison Architect 2 and make decisions based on their own wants and needs, according to the publisher. That should create plenty of drama for you to deal with.

It seems like the title also hasn’t lost any of its biting satire: It will come with a career mode that sees you take command over several unique prisons on a new world map, challenging you to make them profitable. The skill tree system for management styles contains a “Big Business” tree as well, which should help greedy wardens line their pockets. Other branches are focused on “Infrastructure” and “Well-Being” to improve the lives of inmates as well as “Security” to give you more control over your facility.

Prison Architect 2 will be available for $39.99 USD on Steam, where it can be pre-ordered now. Players who pre-order the game will receive an exclusive skin for their security dogs, while the Warden’s Edition comes with seven additional cosmetic items at a price point of $49.99 USD.

Video game release dates: every game coming in 2024