Prison Guard 24
Prison Guard 24 is a free reverse tower defense game where you stop inmates running from their cells to the wall with guards, iron doors and CCTV. No download, it starts right in your browser.
In most tower defense games the enemy marches in from outside. Here the inmates start inside and run out. When the cell doors open, inmates in light blue uniforms sprint for a gap in the wall. Tap the floor to post a guard and he throws handcuffs at any inmate passing close by. When an inmate runs out of nerve he is cuffed and taken away. Every catch pays coins, and coins buy more gear.
Gear blocks the way. Line up iron doors and the inmates go the long way around, and guards packed along that detour pick them off one by one. You can never seal the path completely, and before each wave the route the inmates will take shows on the floor as red dots.
| Gear | What it does | Coins | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guard | throws handcuffs, one inmate at a time | 50 | day 1 |
| Iron Door | blocks the path so inmates go around | 12 | day 1 |
| K9 Dog | runs out, bites and slows | 85 | day 2 |
| CCTV | reveals Diggers and Impostors | 55 | day 3 |
| Searchlight | restores range nearby at lights out | 60 | day 4 |
| Riot Squad | tear gas that hits a crowd | 140 | day 7 |
There are seven kinds of inmates. The fast Sprinter, the Brute who smashes iron doors, the Digger who travels underground and pops his head up every few seconds, the Impostor wearing a stolen guard uniform, and Rioters who charge in a crowd holding pot lids are added day by day. Diggers and Impostors stay visible once a CCTV spots them, and an Impostor is also caught out if he walks right next to a guard.
A shift starts with the 6 AM roll call and inmates come at each time slot. Days 1 to 3 have five waves until 6 PM, and from day 4 the 10 PM lights out adds a sixth. At lights out your guards lose range except inside a searchlight beam. If five inmates get over the wall in one day it is GAME OVER and you replay that day. You earn up to three stars depending on how many got away.
| Days | Block | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 | Cell Block 1 | Officer |
| 7-12 | Mess Hall | Senior Officer |
| 13-18 | Yard | Sergeant |
| 19-24 | Workshop | Lieutenant |
| 25-30 | Main Gate | Captain |
On days 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 the Escape King in sunglasses shows up in the last time slot. Once he is worn down by half he sets off a smoke bomb, vanishes for a moment and speeds up. If the Escape King gets over the wall it is GAME OVER on the spot. Catch him on day 30 and your service is done. Cleared days stay on the duty roster with their stars and can be replayed any time.
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- Type
- free game, indie game, tower defense game, pixel art game
- Built in
- 2 days
- Tech
- HTML5 Canvas, Web Audio
- Players
- 1
- Platform
- PC, mobile (landscape)
- Play time
- 30 days, 5 to 6 waves a day
- Status
- complete, ending, progress saved
- Made
- 2026-10-06
- Last updated
- 2026-10-06
Good for — fans of maze-style tower defense where you reroute the enemy, pixel art lovers, and anyone who replays a day to get all three stars.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I block the path completely?
The gear will not go there. At least one route from the cell doors to the gap in the wall has to stay open, and cells you cannot use turn red.
What happens when an inmate gets over the wall?
One warning lamp at the top lights up. When all five are on it is GAME OVER, and the Escape King ends the day the moment he gets out.
How do I catch inmates I cannot see?
A Digger can only be hit when he pops his head up every few seconds. Once he passes near a CCTV he stays visible. An Impostor is caught out by CCTV or by walking right next to a guard.
Can I upgrade or sell gear?
Tap placed gear to UP it twice, or sell it for 70% of the coins you spent.
Do I start over if I fail a day?
No. Only that day restarts. Cleared days stay on the duty roster with their stars and you can replay them any time.
