Escape From Playtime, a new co-op survival horror game from Mob Entertainment, is now available in Steam Early Access, taking players back into the terrifying world of Poppy Playtime with a fresh perspective, dangerous scavenging missions and support for up to eight players.
Set after the infamous Hour of Joy but before the events of Poppy Playtime: Chapter 1, Escape From Playtime explores a previously unseen period in the franchise’s history. This time, players step into the paws of the Smiling Critters, the deceptively cute toy characters first introduced in Chapter 3, as they attempt to survive the horrors lurking inside the abandoned Playtime Co. factory.
Players can venture into the factory alone or join forces with up to seven friends, searching for resources, completing dangerous assignments and trying to stay one step ahead of the rejected experiments roaming the corridors. Their missions come from a mysterious voice promising a sanctuary and a new home for those who prove their worth. Whether that promise can be trusted is another matter entirely.
Each expedition takes players into a changing section of the factory, where they must locate valuable supplies and transport them back safely. However, with deadly creatures on the hunt, there is little room for mistakes. Teams will need to decide when to stick together, when to split up and when it is time to abandon a mission before things take a turn for the worse.
Survival involves more than simply running away. Players can solve puzzles, collect tools, investigate clues, use hiding places and discover alternative routes to avoid enemies. Proximity voice chat also plays a part, allowing teammates to communicate as they explore, although making too much noise could alert something nasty to their whereabouts.
Mob Entertainment says the game has been designed to appeal to established Poppy Playtime fans and newcomers alike. Familiar characters and connections to the franchise’s wider story are waiting to be discovered, but players do not need prior knowledge of the series to jump in.
Brandon James, Game Director at Mob Entertainment, explained that the team wanted to explore a lesser-known chapter of Playtime Co.’s history while giving players a different perspective on the world. He also highlighted the effort to make the experience accessible to newcomers without requiring them to understand the existing lore.
For anyone unfamiliar with the events surrounding Playtime Co., Mob Entertainment has released a separate Everything You Need to Know About Escape From Playtime video. The guide provides a brief timeline and lore overview to help players get up to speed before entering the factory.
Escape From Playtime Features
Co-op survival: Play alone or team up with as many as seven other players. Working together can make searching the factory easier, but a larger group also creates more opportunities for something to go wrong.
A mysterious employer: Follow assignments from an unknown voice, gathering scattered parts and resources in the hope of earning a place in the promised sanctuary. The question is whether the voice has the players’ best interests at heart.
Scavenge to survive: Search for useful equipment, uncover clues, create distractions and make use of hiding spots and alternate routes to escape the factory’s hostile creations.
Explore as a Smiling Critter: Crawl, jump and climb through the facility’s nooks and crannies, experiencing recognisable Poppy Playtime locations from a smaller perspective.
A changing factory: The mysterious voice appears to be manipulating the facility, with procedurally generated environments helping to make each run different.
Track your progress: The Playtime Web Portal, accessed through the Perm-A-Lounge computer, lets players examine their progress and rewards while uncovering more of the company’s disturbing secrets.
Early Access Launch Includes All Eight Smiling Critters
Escape From Playtime enters Steam Early Access with all eight Smiling Critters playable, although four must be unlocked through progression. Following feedback gathered during the Open Beta, Mob Entertainment has also expanded multiplayer support to accommodate groups of up to eight players.
There is an additional incentive for early adopters, too. During the first 30 days following launch, players can claim a free Founders’ Pack containing exclusive alternate appearances for all eight Smiling Critters, alongside additional rewards.
Mob Entertainment intends to continue developing the game throughout the remainder of 2026 and into 2027. Planned additions include new locations, enemies, items, cosmetics and gameplay features, with the Early Access roadmap expected to evolve in response to community feedback.
Escape From Playtime Price and Availability
Escape From Playtime is available now on Steam Early Access for $9.99 USD, with a limited-time 10% launch discount. Players who own the free-to-play Poppy Playtime: Chapter 1 can also receive an additional 10% discount.
With its combination of co-operative extraction gameplay, procedurally generated environments and a fresh chapter in the Poppy Playtime universe, Escape From Playtime offers fans another reason to return to Playtime Co. Just remember: not every friendly-looking toy wants to be your friend.
Watch the launch trailer: YouTube
Watch the beginner’s lore guide: Everything You Need to Know About Escape From Playtime
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