The Artful Escape

 Xbox One
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. GAMINGbible
    Sep 10, 2021
    90
    In a year of genuinely terrific indie games, including Lake, Death's Door, Chicory and more we're not allowed to talk about just yet (but please, do watch these pages), The Artful Escape has made me smile like nothing else. I can still feel the beaming grin on my face as I type these words. It's the one game in 2021 that I really couldn't put down as the clock ticked past midnight and I knew I had to get my head down, the one game where I knew what was coming next would be unmissable. It's the one game where I felt like I was playing something else, even as it adhered to certain gameplay conventions - and that feeling comes from its spirit, its personality, the drive of the artist behind it. An artist who quite evidently didn't do what they did here to fulfil expectations, but to shatter them into a million crystals - each facet reflecting a vision quite unlike anything you'll see, hear or play in this year, or any other.
  2. COGconnected
    Sep 8, 2021
    88
    The Artful Escape is by turns psychedelic, moving, exultant, and lovely. The central metaphor of a young performer bringing fantastic new worlds into existence through the art of music is a powerful one, and while the theme of a struggling musician finding his authentic voice while paying homage to the past might not be a new one, it's certainly new to videogames. The Artful Escape only missteps when it tries too hard to be a game, ironic given the story's premise of search for authenticity. Aside from that, The Artful Escape is a surprising and joyous exploration of the power of collaboration, the struggle for identity, and the mind-blowing, life-altering sound of the very loud galactic symphony.
  3. GamingBolt
    Sep 8, 2021
    80
    The Artful Escape is an incredible odyssey of self discovery, and its few shortcomings don't hold it back from being an excursion patently worth making.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 57 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 57
  3. Negative: 6 out of 57
  1. eeeeyuke
    Sep 19, 2021
    2
    Looks great but gameplay is limited to walking and holding X. Barely a game at all. Boring and bailed after 45 minutes.
  2. Bochenki
    Dec 8, 2021
    7
    Even though there's hardly any gameplay, the Artful Escape is, nomen omen, an absolutely magnificent piece of art. Beautiful landscapes,Even though there's hardly any gameplay, the Artful Escape is, nomen omen, an absolutely magnificent piece of art. Beautiful landscapes, stunning soundtrack and engaging story that you really go along with. This is very calming, peaceful game, great for people who - like me - are not very much into combat and overwhelming gaming experience. It is true that the tasks are repetitive and can get boring as the game progresses, but I thing that the visuals pay off that monotony which, in the end, is not that boring. The only major issue is the Polish translation that is absolutely butchered. It looks like the translators didn't see the game at all while working on the dialogues. Which was probably the case. Nevertheless, Artful Escape is an amazing and engaging experience, even with a limited amount of an actual gameplay.… Full Review »
  3. Biggiecheese991
    Sep 23, 2021
    10
    This game was, and I mean was truly one of if not the greatest experience I've ever had playing a video game, the visuals, the sound designThis game was, and I mean was truly one of if not the greatest experience I've ever had playing a video game, the visuals, the sound design and the story are all 10/10s in my opinion, if you're looking or even not looking for a one of a kind game and you have a great set of headphones then trust me and play this gane… Full Review »
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