Escape Academy Co-Op and Multiplayer Guide
Can you play Escape Academy with a friend? Learn about two-player co-op, local and online split-screen, cross-platform play, and multiplayer modes.
Is Escape Academy a two-player game?
Yes. Escape Academy is designed to be played either alone or by two players together — the Steam store page lists Single-player, Co-op, Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op and Shared/Split Screen among its features, alongside PvP options. The official description puts it plainly: you can experience the entirety of the game in single player, or through two-player co-operative play, available in local or online splitscreen.
The game is developed by Coin Crew Games and published by iam8bit Presents, released on July 13, 2022, and sold on Steam for $19.99 in the US store. It sits in the Adventure genre and carries Steam Achievements (40 in total, some of them hidden), Steam Trading Cards, Steam Cloud and full controller support.
It is a two-player maximum, not a party game: the store lists two-player splitscreen, and the official description never suggests more than two Escapists on controls at once.
Is co-op local or online?
Both are officially supported. The Steam feature list includes Co-op, Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op and Remote Play Together, and the store description says local or online splitscreen is available.
According to Co-Optimus, the PC version supports local co-op for 2 players and online co-op for 2 players, with combo co-op (local plus online together) not supported and no LAN play or system link. The same page describes a two-player split-screen layout.
The store page does not spell out the invite or lobby flow on Steam, so the exact steps for joining a friend online are not officially documented there yet.
Does Escape Academy support split-screen?
Yes. Shared/Split Screen and Shared/Split Screen Co-op both appear in the Steam feature list, so two players can share one screen. According to Co-Optimus, the co-op is available in local or online splitscreen and uses a two-player split-screen layout.
What is not officially documented is how the screen is divided or whether each player gets their own inventory view — the store page simply lists splitscreen co-op as a feature. If you are setting up a couch session, plan for two players on one copy of the game rather than a larger group.
Is cross-platform multiplayer supported?
Steam does list Cross-Platform Multiplayer as a feature of the game, so cross-platform play is officially advertised. What the store page does not confirm is which platform combinations are supported and how cross-platform invites are handled — that detail is not officially documented.
On the console side, the PlayStation listing states that the PS4 and PS5 version supports up to 2 online players with PS Plus, and that online play is optional. In other words, online multiplayer on PlayStation requires that subscription, while local play does not.
What multiplayer modes are in Tournament of Puzzles?
Tournament of Puzzles is a major content update built around head-to-head puzzle competition. The official description says it adds three massive arenas, three new game modes, puzzle power-ups and additional achievements — and it also lets a solo solver work through the courses alone.
| Mode | What the official description says |
|---|---|
| Escape Race | Face off against your friends in a puzzle race to the finish |
| Tic-Tac-Toe | The classic connect three, where the X's and O's are all locked up |
| Scavenger Hunt | Search for trophies while you hunt for solutions to tricky puzzles |
The three arenas are the Tomb of the First Escapist (an Egyptian tomb with secret passages), Hackannery (an abandoned fish cannery turned hacker enclave on a rain-soaked pier) and The Showman's Studio (a theater packed with magical challenges). Arenas are described as giant and replayable, with secret passages and alternate routes, and power-ups let you deploy distracting traps against opponents or use assists for an advantage.
Can you play Escape Academy on Steam Deck?
Yes — Valve's official review rating for the game is Verified. Valve's test results note that the default controller configuration is fully functional, the on-screen controller icons match Steam Deck, the interface text is legible, and the default graphics settings perform well.
The Steam store also lists full controller support, including DualShock and DualSense controller support, plus Camera Comfort, Color Alternatives, Custom Volume Controls and Playable without Timed Input among its accessibility-related features.
Related guides
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Escape Academy Beginner Guide: What to Know First
New to Escape Academy? Learn the premise, how solo and co-op play work, what the escape rooms are like, and who the faculty are.
How Escape Room Grading Works in Escape Academy
Escape Academy grades your performance in its escape rooms. Here is how time limits, room challenges, and grades fit into the puzzle game.
Escape Academy Faculty and Characters Explained
Meet the colorful faculty of Escape Academy, including Coach Yoach, and learn how the school's characters fit into the escape room story.
Is Escape Academy Replayable After You Finish?
Wondering if Escape Academy has replay value? Learn about Tournament of Puzzles arenas, game modes, power-ups, multiplayer, and achievements.