The dual challenges of learning about the Island while avoiding the subtle and not-so-subtle traps laid by the computer make the game both interesting and exciting". "Softline" stated that the game "that exercises your intellect like few games", and concluded that ""The Prisoner" is imaginative, well presented and thought provoking. Hats off to Dave Mullich and Edu-ware Services for bringing real mental challenge to the game industry". "BYTE" stated that the game "is not for the easily frustrated ... The Prisoner is complex beyond belief, nearly unbeatable, and at times irrational on purpose". It warned, "if you follow the rules, trust your fellow man, or display anything less than a total commitment to anti-social, anti-island behavior, you will be hopelessly doomed to repeated failure", and concluded," it will appeal to puzzle solvers and seekers of the bizarre". A.D. Young reviewed "The Prisoner" in "The Space Gamer" No. 55. Young commented that ""The Prisoner" is a riot from go to woe and will have you cursing and laughing all the way through." "The Prisoner" was also popular among gamers, who voted it the third most popular adventure game of 1981 in the annual "Softalk" reader poll, while "Prisoner 2" was voted the fourth most popular fantasy game in its 1982 poll.