For students who prefer learning to code through one large, detailed game instead of a dozen small, unfinished games, this is the perfect entry! The author takes the unusual but fitting tactic of having students download and play the game Escape before gradually piecing it together as a complete work (and even customizing it after). This works well due to the scale of the game, which incorporates sounds, graphics, animations, player collision, and other advanced features. The result is a detailed and moderately complex adventure game about escaping a damaged space station. For students who have the patience, I absolutely recommend trying this. It is a refreshing oasis in a pile of beginner coding books that end at “Flappy Bird.”
Similar to other No Starch Press coding books, the author has done an impeccable job of maintaining readability and providing adequate explanations. Full-color screenshots are used to excellent effect, chapters are well-structured, and explanations are detailed. Due to the complexity of the game and the components involved, it is ideal for students with at least a little prior coding experience.