The Artful Escape

 PC
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 61
  3. Negative: 14 out of 61

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  1. sabev94379
    Sep 14, 2021
    3
    There are some nice visuals, decent performances, and even a few moments of inspired writing in The Artful Escape. It's not enough to buoy a game with this many glaring, bone-deep, ever-present flaws. I'll start with the most damning: the music in this game is pretty bad. It sets a bar for itself with some Bob Dylan-inspired folk music near the beginning which it then completely fails toThere are some nice visuals, decent performances, and even a few moments of inspired writing in The Artful Escape. It's not enough to buoy a game with this many glaring, bone-deep, ever-present flaws. I'll start with the most damning: the music in this game is pretty bad. It sets a bar for itself with some Bob Dylan-inspired folk music near the beginning which it then completely fails to live up to with a nearly nonstop rush of nonsense guitar shredding/wailing. Music forms the basis for all character motivation, plot developments, and gameplay in The Artful Escape. The fact that it doesn't sound good and is extremely clunky to engage with is just too much. No game is strong enough to shoulder that kind of burden. The Artful Escape, in particular, is too weak to support almost any part of its genuinely interesting premise. If you've seen the trailer for this game, you've played all the best parts of this game.… Expand
  2. nlagon
    Sep 19, 2021
    10
    Let's make it clear. It is not a game based on mechanics, it is an interactive experience based only on its audiovisual brilliance. If you like games with extraordinary beautiful scenery combined with feelings of awe and wonder, electric guitar sequences and space ambient music, this space adventure is for you. After the quitars started playing, I just knew this game was gonna destroy meLet's make it clear. It is not a game based on mechanics, it is an interactive experience based only on its audiovisual brilliance. If you like games with extraordinary beautiful scenery combined with feelings of awe and wonder, electric guitar sequences and space ambient music, this space adventure is for you. After the quitars started playing, I just knew this game was gonna destroy me in the most emotional way possible and I would give double the money to re-live this 4.5hour experience for the first time.… Expand
  3. pahoxa
    Oct 13, 2021
    4
    The Artful Escape is too earnest to hate but just too plain artless and incompetent to love. The game spends the majority of its time setting up character arcs that it never executes. At a certain point, we're just back on earth and the story is over. Nothing ties together. In terms of story, it's a complete failure in terms of both vision and execution. This is to say nothing of theThe Artful Escape is too earnest to hate but just too plain artless and incompetent to love. The game spends the majority of its time setting up character arcs that it never executes. At a certain point, we're just back on earth and the story is over. Nothing ties together. In terms of story, it's a complete failure in terms of both vision and execution. This is to say nothing of the gameplay, which even fans of the game acknowledge is really, really bad. All you do is press a single button to shred electric guitar, noisily overrunning the soundtrack in a way that never becomes remotely listenable. In terms of the performances . . . they're fine? Was it really worth it to shell out the money for Lena Headey, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Strong, and Carl Weathers? Perhaps that time and money might have been better spent giving the script a second pass (or giving the core gameplay a first pass). There seems to have been a strong bend to make this game as filmic as possible, which does give it some personality around the edges. But it kills The Artful Escape dead. Instead of a remotely playable game, we as the players get a very, very poorly-written film which runs for 3 hours and only proceeds from one samey scene to the next when you press a button that emits some of the least-musical modem dial-up noises you've ever heard.… Expand
  4. hosolah302
    Oct 21, 2021
    2
    In some ways, The Artful Escape plays out like a film director's first attempt at designing gameplay. At other moments, it feels like a game developer's first attempt at writing a story, any story. Overall, it's an extremely bad game with a very meh story that spins its wheels for a few hours and then unceremoniously ends with all its characters half-developed. It's a game in which theIn some ways, The Artful Escape plays out like a film director's first attempt at designing gameplay. At other moments, it feels like a game developer's first attempt at writing a story, any story. Overall, it's an extremely bad game with a very meh story that spins its wheels for a few hours and then unceremoniously ends with all its characters half-developed. It's a game in which the gameplay sucks. It's a story about expressing one's self through music, but the music is the least expressive part of the game by far.… Expand
  5. hamik17594
    Nov 9, 2021
    0
    As other reviewers have pointed out, this isn't a game with any real gameplay mechanics. If you're playing The Artful Escape, you're playing for the story and music. Let's be real: The story is poorly-written in terms of character development, pacing, plot, pretty much anything that you'd want a story to do well. The music is much, much worse. Even as a fan of this style of music, theAs other reviewers have pointed out, this isn't a game with any real gameplay mechanics. If you're playing The Artful Escape, you're playing for the story and music. Let's be real: The story is poorly-written in terms of character development, pacing, plot, pretty much anything that you'd want a story to do well. The music is much, much worse. Even as a fan of this style of music, the music is a pretty much non-stop assault of bottom-tier guitar noodling. There aren't enough drugs in the world to make The Artful Escape an interesting trip.… Expand
  6. SkillJam
    Sep 19, 2021
    10
    Yes, gameplay wise, its kinda simple and repetitive, but you need to look at this game as more audiovisual ecstasy. Art style, sceneries and music are top notch. I could listen to those solos and music all day long. The world is beautifully build and I loved this journey through time and space. Totally recommend it to everyone who loves beautiful sight and mesmerizing music.
  7. UrsusArctos
    Sep 20, 2021
    10
    The title of the game says it all. It is an artful escape.

    The art in this game is amazing and if you like rock, or even just music in general, this is an experience to be had!

    I'm glad I was curious enough to try this "game".

    Thank you to its devs and cheers to the voice actors! Amazing job!
  8. bancandrei
    May 2, 2022
    7
    I'm loving it. Was promised the Romanian parliament building, though. People get offered an innovative experience and they complain about "gameplay". Some lines do get repetitive towards the end though, it feels it has the writing of a shonen anime. The ending is great in theory, but the execution is rather lacking.
  9. zookiesauce
    Dec 16, 2021
    10
    I rarely ever leave game reviews, but I think I owe it to the team behind this game. This was such a fun ride. I will be telling all my friends who are into music, art, and the weird and unusual about this one.

    Psychedelic. Artsy. Unique. Eyegasm. Full of heart. Would recommend 10/10. It's a "game" we all need right now after a rough year. It's more of eye candy with insanely    I rarely ever leave game reviews, but I think I owe it to the team behind this game. This was such a fun ride. I will be telling all my friends who are into music, art, and the weird and unusual about this one.

    Psychedelic. Artsy. Unique. Eyegasm. Full of heart. Would recommend 10/10.

    It's a "game" we all need right now after a rough year. It's more of eye candy with insanely creative story line with jumping, wailing a guitar, and power-sliding. Get this game right now, you will not regret it!    … Expand
  10. naufri27
    Sep 23, 2021
    6
    Novela gráfica que apenas le pide ningún esfuerzo al jugador, pues solamente hay momentos de plataformeo sencillo y juego de memorizar fáciles secuencias de pulsar botones.

    Si tan solo hubiera mejorado un poquito, habría sido todo un señor juego, pues su banda sonora, historia y ambientación bien merece ser nombras pese a que el último tercio del juego se vuelve confuso y monótono. Pero    Novela gráfica que apenas le pide ningún esfuerzo al jugador, pues solamente hay momentos de plataformeo sencillo y juego de memorizar fáciles secuencias de pulsar botones.

    Si tan solo hubiera mejorado un poquito, habría sido todo un señor juego, pues su banda sonora, historia y ambientación bien merece ser nombras pese a que el último tercio del juego se vuelve confuso y monótono. Pero el esfuerzo en escribir una historia original y la increíble sensación de tocar la guitarra y ver cambiar el escenario es única.    … Expand
  11. RMDsilva
    Jul 3, 2022
    6
    Fun little psychedelic visual snack, not really much of a game or a story...
  12. SuperkenGaming
    Nov 8, 2021
    7
    The Artful escape
    The power of music!
    The artful escape is a linear nearl 4 hour long narrative adventure, you’re the nephew of a legendary musician trying to find yourself, and a night before a big gig youre abducted by aliens.. This is a game about finding yourself as an artist.. youll go through these beautiful locations just rifting on your guitar, eventually getting to a boss    The Artful escape
    The power of music!
    The artful escape is a linear nearl 4 hour long narrative adventure, you’re the nephew of a legendary musician trying to find yourself, and a night before a big gig youre abducted by aliens..
    This is a game about finding yourself as an artist.. youll go through these beautiful locations just rifting on your guitar, eventually getting to a boss battle that will have you playing a simon says like mini game.. then its off to the next area..
    This game is again beautiful, I was so impressed with the visuls nd I loved sliding down hills and the platforming here, the story however I was kinda bored of after a while, wasn’t one that really clicked with me so I didn’t care how it turned out all that much..
    But I still had this eautiful world to pull me through..
    Gameplay wise this was my favorite aspect, it was fun putting on a little rock show for these aliens before sliding through some caves.. but if this doesn’t sound like a story that intrigues you, the gameplay isn’t enough on its own to justify a playthrough..
    Overall The Artful escape is a good game..
    Not one Ill think about much going forward, but at the same time has the potential to be one of someone elses favorite games of the year,
    I give The Artful Escape
    a 7/10    … Expand
  13. olvlvl
    Dec 15, 2021
    10
    The game grabbed me right away with its unique presentation and its intriguing premise. It took me 4 hours to complete and I totally enjoyed my journey in this luxuriant universe. It's really a joke this game lost to Death Loop in the art direction category. The visuals are nothing short of spectacular, literally out of this world. So, yes it's more an "experience" than a "game" and IThe game grabbed me right away with its unique presentation and its intriguing premise. It took me 4 hours to complete and I totally enjoyed my journey in this luxuriant universe. It's really a joke this game lost to Death Loop in the art direction category. The visuals are nothing short of spectacular, literally out of this world. So, yes it's more an "experience" than a "game" and I wished there were more rhythm mini-games, but, as the Glamourgonn would put it, I was entertained.… Expand
  14. lessacebola
    May 12, 2022
    9
    A arte e o cenário desse jogo são incríveis, a trilha sonora é fenomenal e a história é emocionante. A gameplay não é extremamente complexa, mas isso não estraga a experiência.
  15. Umur
    Sep 15, 2022
    7
    With it's stunning atmosphere and it's musics it's an experience rather than a game.
  16. Eyepatch
    Sep 17, 2021
    7
    its by no means a perfect game....it has many flaws....but for the mere beautiful visuals in this game its worth playing.Some levels were soooo beautiful just to look at.When it comes to story i didnt feel anything special,pretty much forgettable.
  17. ronadi7368
    Nov 2, 2021
    5
    I'll say this in defense of The Artful Escape: it almost features a complete story! Wow, they got like 60% of the way through a whole character arc before they just gave up and ended the game! On the other hand, there is about 0% of a game here.
  18. Chensa
    Jul 24, 2022
    4
    It breaks my heart because I really wanted to love this game, but I couldn't, and not for the lack of trying. In my opinion, it falls short at almost everything it tries to achieve. Many already mentioned that this is barely a game, without any enjoyable game mechanics, but it also fails as a movie-game because instead of leaning back and watching cutscenes you need to press a button toIt breaks my heart because I really wanted to love this game, but I couldn't, and not for the lack of trying. In my opinion, it falls short at almost everything it tries to achieve. Many already mentioned that this is barely a game, without any enjoyable game mechanics, but it also fails as a movie-game because instead of leaning back and watching cutscenes you need to press a button to progress the dialogue. It's just terrible. Additionally, it doesn't "celebrate" music at all, the soundtrack is repetitive and annoying, and the playing parts don't even require you to stay on a beat. So you just press buttons, not creating music. The story didn't stick for me, and although this project doesn't lack imagination, and the writing and voice acting are pretty good, I couldn't recommend it to anyone. Such a shame.… Expand
  19. Charbles18
    Feb 21, 2022
    8
    The Artful Escape exceeded all my expectations with incredible visuals, great music, and a very compelling story. It is only held back by its mediocre platforming.
  20. Magboyok
    Jun 12, 2022
    3
    A game without a game. The art is out of this world, but this is it's only redeeming factor. The music "riffs" are repetitive during level runs and non-existent during the supposed Battle-Of-Bands style bosses which is a damnation for a game all about musical artistry. The gameplay is next to non-existent and the dialogue broadens on hilariously cringe inducing or skippable. The overallA game without a game. The art is out of this world, but this is it's only redeeming factor. The music "riffs" are repetitive during level runs and non-existent during the supposed Battle-Of-Bands style bosses which is a damnation for a game all about musical artistry. The gameplay is next to non-existent and the dialogue broadens on hilariously cringe inducing or skippable. The overall message - "Be Yourself" is a nice one, but ultimately shown at face value through the entire game and at no point is the main character challenged in his view that his secret alter-ego is awe inspiringly cool, it's supported entirely by every character in from beginning to end. Would've been better as a series of animations with actual music.… Expand
  21. SinDoctoreq
    Sep 15, 2022
    9
    If you like these kind of experimental art-focused games which don't really have a mind-blowing gameplay but gives you a completely unique experience, I'm 100% sure you will like this one.
    The music and visuals are so psychedelic but pleasant at the same time it completely catches you.
    The Artful Escape is short enough to be enjoyable (about 3-4 hours) since its gameplay may be    If you like these kind of experimental art-focused games which don't really have a mind-blowing gameplay but gives you a completely unique experience, I'm 100% sure you will like this one.
    The music and visuals are so psychedelic but pleasant at the same time it completely catches you.
    The Artful Escape is short enough to be enjoyable (about 3-4 hours) since its gameplay may be repetitive (some easy parkour levels with amazing visual backgrounds and the musical levels), and that's the reason why I can't give it a 10, even if I enjoyed it so much.    … Expand
  22. Rubendlt2
    Dec 31, 2022
    10
    the visual are amazing and the history is great, something new and refreshing

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best PC Game of 2021
97
#97 Most Discussed PC Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
  1. TierraGamer
    Nov 11, 2021
    80
    The Artful Escape might seem easy to some players, but its flawless and engaging music and art direction make it worth your time.
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  2. Meristation
    Oct 21, 2021
    75
    The Artful Escape focuses the attention on the narrative through a powerful audiovisual staging, reducing the platforms and the challenge to the minimum expression to provide the player with an authentic festival of rock, psychedelia and surrealism.
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  3. The Indie Game Website
    Oct 4, 2021
    90
    By the time the final credits roll on The Artful Escape, it’s a challenge to succinctly summarise what you’ve just experienced. It’s a game without a genre, one composed of familiar elements blended in an unfamiliar way, creating something that is uniquely its own. It’s been a long time coming since The Artful Escape was given its initial glimpse of what was in store, but when it’s all said and done, it leaves the audience satisfied but still wanting just a little more. Like any good concert.
    Read full review
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