Look Who it Was Random video

No Escape Game Sample - Genesis/MD

3,102 views · Published 19 January 2013 · 14:11 · Indexed 8 November 2026

Channel: Vysethedetermined2 · 2013 · Gaming

Watch on YouTube

No Escape is an action game presented by Bits Studios and Psygnosis in 1994, based on the sci-fi/action movie of the same name that was released the same year. The films main stars (as listed by Wikipedia) were Ray Liotta, Lance Henriksen, Stuart Wilson and Kevin Dillon. Much like the movie, the story of the game deals with a former American Marine (named John Robbins) who must serve a sentence of life imprisonment on an island of natives and savages for killing his commanding officer.

As you might imagine, the game doesn't exactly explain all the details of the movie (because cart limitations could only do so much if the developer didn't feel willing at the time), but the game follows the general story of the movie. The thing is, No Escape also follows the trend of a lot of movie games of its time too; low production values and mediocre game mechanics. As much as I like(d) Psygnosis as a publisher and/or developer (for games like Flink, Puggsy, G-Police, etc.), they didn't have sound judgment in my opinion when they decided to publish this game. It plays like a game that didn't require much effort on the behalf of the team creating it because the game would've sold based on the movie name rather than its own merits. Of course, you can't entirely blame the developers; when a human being is presented with an easy out (especially relating to money), they usually take it. However, the game isn't even that common so not that many are in circulation...so then the game is basically a game that might have not made much profit anyway given how many were in stores at the time AND it isn't even good. To me, that sounds like a lose-lose when making a game.

You run through levels (some which are very cheap) and have a limited arsenal of basic attacks (punches, kicks, etc.) to fend off enemies. You also find a lot of items that you can trade at the village to get other items you can use. The game requires you to mix items to create new items because you are on a deserted island; you basically must make due with limited resources. While that would be somewhat realistic, it makes the game somewhat annoying to play if you want specific items for specific levels (especially if you haven't played the stages beforehand) and the system doesn't exactly make the game very accessible. Poor hit detection, shoddy controls (running can seem random at times, grabbing ledges above you can be a chore, etc.), and lackluster visuals add further insult to injury. The music isn't exactly flattering either; while there are a couple of decent tunes (the opening theme, Camp Alpha, etc.), the rest are pretty forgettable.

I believe the SNES version is supposed to be rarer than the Genesis game and it is typically said that it is a little better than the Gen port too. Regardless, if you don't like what you see here, then you won't like the game either way.

More from this channel