During today’s Day of the Devs Summer Game Fest showcase, iam8bit and Coin Crew Games officially unveiled Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School — a bold new sequel to the acclaimed co-op puzzle game that’s been played by more than 4 million players worldwide. This time, the Escape Academy is going full open world, with a sprawling, explorable campus filled with puzzles, secrets, and a sinister conspiracy buried in the school’s foundations.
Coming in 2026, Escape Academy 2 aims to redefine the escape room genre by making it, well, less of a room and more of a world. The sequel retains everything fans loved—clever handcrafted puzzles, couch and online co-op, and narrative twists—but lets players roam a vibrant campus at their own pace.
Welcome to the First Open World Escape Room
Set in a fully navigable campus, Back 2 School will let players explore classrooms, dorms, secret tunnels, libraries, and more, with each area hiding challenges, traps, and clues to uncover. The game blends escape room mechanics with open-ended exploration, letting players shape how they study, solve, and sleuth.
“We’re opening up the campus to give players a deeply immersive experience—where escape rooms meet the challenges of everyday student life at the Academy,” said Wyatt Bushnell, co-founder of Coin Crew Games. “It’s an expansive, interactive slice of life filled with puzzles and mysteries to solve, all while balancing your escape studies.”
Solve Puzzles Solo or with a Buddy
Escape Academy 2 is fully playable in single-player or co-op, both online and in local splitscreen. Whether you’re a veteran of the first game or a new recruit, you can jump in and enjoy the story with friends or go solo on your quest to uncover the Academy’s hidden truths.
“The idea of an ‘open world escape room’ might sound like an oxymoron,” added Mike Mohammed Salyh, co-founder of Coin Crew Games, “but it works surprisingly well. You really feel like a student at the Academy this time around.”
A Deeper Mystery Beneath the School Grounds
Along with its expanded gameplay format, Back 2 School also promises a rich new narrative. Players will uncover a decades-old conspiracy tied to the Academy’s founders, with choices and discoveries that influence how events unfold. The world is reactive, and secrets are everywhere.
iam8bit Is Back in Session
Returning as publisher, iam8bit Presents continues its partnership with Coin Crew Games to deliver a uniquely co-op, narrative-rich experience.
“Escape Academy 2 is really expanding what’s possible in cooperative gaming,” said Jon M. Gibson and Amanda White, co-owners of iam8bit. “With an innovative open-world format and story-driven gameplay, players will feel truly immersed in the halls of The Academy. We can’t wait to reveal more soon.”
Try the Original at a Discount
To celebrate the announcement, the original Escape Academy is currently 60% off on Steam, making it the perfect time for new players to jump in and get a feel for the series before the sequel launches.
