Escape From Playtime is an upcoming co-op survival horror game set deep within the abandoned halls of the Playtime Co. factory, placing players in control of the unsettling Smiling Critters first introduced in Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3.
Rather than exploring the factory from the perspective of a human, players will experience Playtime Co. through the much smaller eyes of its toy inhabitants. Classrooms, warehouses, testing laboratories and the dark corridors connecting them all take on a completely different feel when you’re only a fraction of the size.
Playable solo or with up to three friends, each run sends players into a changing section of the facility with one main objective: locate and transport the resources demanded by a mysterious entity known only as The Voice.
On paper, that sounds simple enough.
Unfortunately, Playtime Co. is still filled with rejected creations roaming the halls, and they aren’t exactly interested in helping.
Players will need to search quickly, decide whether to stick together or split up, and work out whether grabbing one more item is worth the risk of something finding them first.
Surviving Playtime Co.
Exploration is a major part of Escape From Playtime, with players able to solve puzzles, uncover clues and search the environment for useful equipment.
The factory itself can also be used to your advantage.
Hiding places, alternative routes and distractions can help teams avoid the creatures hunting them, while learning the layout of each area could be the difference between completing a run and becoming another victim of Playtime Co.
Proximity voice chat adds another layer of tension to the experience.
Communication is important when coordinating with the rest of your team, but making too much noise at the wrong moment could attract unwanted attention.
In other words, that panicked scream when something appears behind you might not be particularly helpful.
who is the voice?
As players complete more runs, Escape From Playtime will begin revealing stronger connections to the wider Poppy Playtime storyline.
The Voice promises the Smiling Critters freedom and a place they can finally call home, but exactly who is speaking to them remains a mystery.
Every item and resource collected appears to be feeding into a much larger plan for Playtime Co.
The Critters are helping to build something.
What that something is, and why The Voice needs it, remains to be seen.
main features
Critter Co-Op
Take on Playtime Co. alone or with up to three friends. More Critters means more areas can be searched at once, but splitting the group also creates plenty of opportunities for things to go horribly wrong.
The Voice
A mysterious Voice sends players deeper into the facility in search of parts and materials. Find what it needs, bring everything back safely and perhaps don’t question who you’re really working for.
Scavenge to Survive
Search Playtime Co. for tools, clues and anything else that might keep you alive. Players can use hiding places, distractions and alternative routes to avoid the rejected creations stalking the factory.
Mini Mode
Being a Smiling Critter means players can crawl, climb and jump their way through areas that would normally be inaccessible. Familiar Poppy Playtime locations can be explored from an entirely new, much smaller perspective.
Familiar, But Different
The factory might look familiar, but it won’t remain the same forever. The Voice appears to be altering Playtime Co., with procedurally generated environments changing the layout between runs.
early access plans
Escape From Playtime is being developed with Early Access at the centre of its launch plans, allowing Mob Entertainment to build upon the core experience using feedback from its community.
The initial Early Access release is expected to include four playable Smiling Critters, alongside another four characters that can be unlocked.
Players will also have access to one starter zone and an initial selection of enemies to face.
Mob Entertainment plans to expand the game over time with additional locations, new Smiling Critters, gameplay features and further refinements based on player feedback.
who is mob entertainment?
Founded in 2015 by brothers Zach and Seth Belanger, Mob Entertainment is the independent entertainment company behind the Poppy Playtime franchise.
Since the original game launched in 2021, Poppy Playtime has grown into a multi-million-unit mascot horror series and expanded across several platforms.
Mob Entertainment has continued to grow the franchise beyond its main chapters through additional games, original content, merchandise, publishing projects and live experiences.
Escape From Playtime marks another expansion of that universe, offering players a new way to experience Playtime Co. and the horrors still hiding inside it.
Are you excited for the next adventure at Playtime Co?
Co-owner of Indie Critical. I’m passionate about highlighting independent voices in film, games, and culture. I focus on honest, thoughtful reviews and love helping great indie projects get the recognition they deserve. When I’m not writing or editing, I’m probably diving into the latest hidden gem or discovering the next big thing in the indie scene.
Written by
Lewis Langton
