Is Escape from Playtime Worth It? Early Access Price and Reception

Mob Entertainment, the studio behind Poppy Playtime, has turned its toy-factory horror into a co-op experience: Escape from Playtime entered Early Access on October 21, 2026, and it's currently cheaper than it will ever be again before 1.0. The question is whether you should jump in now — Escape from Playtime launches a new direction for the studio, and the early verdict is a mixed bag. Here's everything you need to decide.

What's Escape from Playtime?

Escape from Playtime is an online co-op horror game for 2 to 8 players. You and your friends are trapped in an abandoned toy factory, where a mysterious voice commands you for an unknown purpose. You explore shifting halls, scavenge for tools and fight the creatures lurking in the dark in order to survive. In terms of gameplay, Escape from Playtime is a sharp departure from the single-player puzzle horror of Poppy Playtime, as the multiplayer aspect of the game offers totally different ways of facing your opponents. Also, the interaction between several players can make it even more chaotic and scary than its single-player counterpart. However, the game still has room for improvements. As of October 31, 2026, it's still in Early Access, with a 1.0 release and a full roadmap still ahead.

Price and editions: the window closes November 4

The base game costs $9.99, but a 10% launch discount brings it down to $8.99 until November 4, 2026 (€8.99 in the EU, £8.00 in the UK). The price will go up when the game hits 1.0, so this is the cheapest entry point.

Reception: mostly positive, but trending down

The game sits at Mostly Positive on Steam, with 72% of 1,018 reviews recommending it — though recent reviews sit lower at 69%, and SteamDB tracks roughly 70% across about 2,000 reviews. The concept is landing; the execution is where early players are pushing back, and the trend line is worth watching before you spend.

The matchmaking problem

The number-one complaint at launch was simple: there were no public matchmaking lobbies. However, Patch 2: The Lobby Doors Are Open has fixed this, and contributed to maintaining the positive rating of the game. Before, Early Access players could only join friends, which left solo players stranded. With public lobbies in place alongside a roadmap of planned updates, the future looks much brighter for the game now.

The run loop: what you actually get

This is a run-based Early Access game, so there's no meaningful "main story" length to quote. Frame your expectations around the loop instead: a single shift takes roughly 30 minutes, and there are no save slots mid-run — you commit to a shift and you finish it. It's built for short, repeatable sessions with friends.

Verdict: buy now or wait?

Buy now if you have a group to play with and want the cheapest entry into the game. The price will rise at 1.0. However, if you are looking for something deeper than a run-based game built around high replayability, you may be better looking elsewhere.

Find the best price on dLcompare

If you want to have some fun alongside your friends in the world of Poppy Playtime, you should find the cheapest prices for Escape from Playtime on dLcompare, as our comparator offers you the best deals to purchase the game across dozens of trusted stores.