The Artful Escape

 Xbox One
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

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. 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, 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 canEven 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.… Expand
  2. DirtyMarshall
    Sep 12, 2021
    9
    First hour of the game was great. It was like daydream. Exiting artwork combined with fancy graphics. Soundtrack is the most powerful side of the game. Nothing seems bad about it. Storyline is kinda classic but story telling ability of the game covers up it.
  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 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
  4. 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.
  5. Midget007
    Sep 18, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. .................................amazing.............................................. .… Expand
  6. Whomstami
    Sep 13, 2021
    10
    This game easily has some of the most beautiful and eye-catching visuals I've ever seen, the characters are great, the music is out of this world, and there is just so much of this game that just works.
  7. joysilence
    Dec 5, 2021
    4
    Unusual game. Its a new wave in game formats. Soundtrack is top, but story line not fully details and going far from general scene
  8. O3liveon
    Sep 23, 2021
    10
    Norm Macdonald once said that taking LSD was a jip. That's because he was good at stretching his drug dollar. He was told at a young age that many years later you would have a flash back and it would be like tripping all over again, but sadly for him 30+ years had passed and... "What a jip that turned out to be." This game is anything but that, a jip that is. I went in with noNorm Macdonald once said that taking LSD was a jip. That's because he was good at stretching his drug dollar. He was told at a young age that many years later you would have a flash back and it would be like tripping all over again, but sadly for him 30+ years had passed and... "What a jip that turned out to be." This game is anything but that, a jip that is. I went in with no expectations, heard nothing of it. It shouldn't even be fun. You move from one side of the screen to the other, and press a couple buttons along the way. But I promise you, if you're too wise or to afraid to take psilocybin or LSD (Like I've done far too many times in my past) don't worry about it. Just play The Artful Escape and you will have one of the most incredible visual experiences you've ever had. You won't have a need to take those drugs because you will have escaped them through this magnificent piece of art and received the same experience. This game is proof that gaming is magic. It isn't the most fun you'll ever have, but you'll play it and after giving it 15 minutes the next thing you'll realize is the credits rolling and you're a full decade more mature. You'll look back on you're younger self and have a deep understanding that the reason life has been so good the past 10 years is because you sat down and experienced The Artful Escape.… Expand
  9. BlazinT
    Jan 8, 2022
    4
    Had fun at the beginning but seemed to drag on as moving closer to the end. Not a tough game. I would find it tough to see it's replayability. Good idea just not excecuted quite right.
  10. UnderrateXposer
    Oct 21, 2021
    10
    One of the most beautifully designed video games ever, truly a bliss of art, amazing experience! 2 of the main characters could be made more interesting, but that won't hold me from giving the perfect score that is rarely deserved.
  11. 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
  12. Joellemm
    Oct 15, 2021
    5
    I spent the whole time playing this desperate for it to get going. Incredibly fun soundtrack, mildly interesting characters, beautiful visuals, but it never gets to any actual gameplay.

    I don't have a problem with walking simulators. I like being immersed in a world, a story, and given the opportunity to explore at my own pace. Exploring is the gameplay. The Artful Escape doesn't even    I spent the whole time playing this desperate for it to get going. Incredibly fun soundtrack, mildly interesting characters, beautiful visuals, but it never gets to any actual gameplay.

    I don't have a problem with walking simulators. I like being immersed in a world, a story, and given the opportunity to explore at my own pace. Exploring is the gameplay. The Artful Escape doesn't even have this. You may as well watch a film. Holding a particular direction on an analogue stick is not gameplay, even if now and then you might have to press a separate button to jump. No! Not platforming, where jumping itself is satisfying and where there is reason to concern yourself with failure. Clicking a dialogue option is only gameplay if the choices made have a significant bearing on the rest of the game. Therefore, all your left with are these sections, that are few and far between, where you basically play Simon says. I'm still not counting this, however, if there is no real consequence for failure and there is no timing required when clicking in response to these often predictable button prompts. Give me my catharsis! Never has saving the cosmic universe, or whatever the hell much of this game is about, felt so unsatisfying!    … Expand
  13. gandolfo1984
    Nov 10, 2022
    10
    Normalmente no suelo jugar muchos indies pero lo hice por la recomendación de un amigo y cambio mi idea por completo de jugar indies, es una maravilla grafica, tiene un historia distinta a lo que estamos acostumbrados a ver, pruébenlo que no se van a arrepentir!
  14. tecGoblin
    Nov 5, 2021
    6
    "Press X to shred on the light beam" summarises the game play Artful Escape. The visuals are majestic, but the gameplay is shockingly basic and - strangely - the music is not that interesting (partially because I play it of course ;)).
  15. CC_Andyman
    Mar 14, 2022
    10
    Outrageously magnificent experience. If you're on the quest for something completely different and eye-poppingly gorgeous, The Artful Escape is your game. It pulled me into its gloriously exotic world immediately and didn't let me go until the wild ride had reached its destination. I loved every second of it - even my (frequent) missed notes - because I'm terrible at music games. Oh, andOutrageously magnificent experience. If you're on the quest for something completely different and eye-poppingly gorgeous, The Artful Escape is your game. It pulled me into its gloriously exotic world immediately and didn't let me go until the wild ride had reached its destination. I loved every second of it - even my (frequent) missed notes - because I'm terrible at music games. Oh, and it's very forgiving. I appreciate that.… Expand
  16. gusmaciel
    Sep 27, 2021
    8
    Jogo com gráficos bem legais, parece que vc está em um show de rock em alguns casos, porém a crítica fica para a forçada que se da na tradução das legendas em relação a linguagem neutra (totalmente desnecessário).
  17. Babaran
    Sep 20, 2022
    10
    The game is a stellar example in adventure platorming genre. You can beat the game in in short period of time which makes the game perfect for rainy afternoon
  18. DarthHenert
    Sep 16, 2021
    10
    The Artful Escape is everything you've heard it previewed as and exceeds in every aspect. An incredible story, incredibly paced, never punishing in it's platforming, a true joy. Space rock opera indeed.
  19. DeadmanMano
    Nov 19, 2021
    7
    The Artful Escape shines when it comes to it's visuals, characters, and soundtrack. Unfortunately, the overly simplistic gameplay keeps this game from being truly great.
  20. Imtripping
    Nov 30, 2021
    10
    Absolutely incredible and the minimal interaction required from the player allowed for a story that really you go along with. This is one the greatest journeys I have ever been taken on
  21. eltio
    Feb 22, 2022
    9
    Excellent game, beautiful experience. The story, visuals and music are fantastic but you need to know what you're getting into with this game. It is not an action RPG. This is a very mellow, psychadelic indi walking sim and unapologetically so. Go into this game to relax, enjoy an experience and "escape" for a few hours. I would call this more like an interactive movie than an actual gameExcellent game, beautiful experience. The story, visuals and music are fantastic but you need to know what you're getting into with this game. It is not an action RPG. This is a very mellow, psychadelic indi walking sim and unapologetically so. Go into this game to relax, enjoy an experience and "escape" for a few hours. I would call this more like an interactive movie than an actual game but whatever you call it, it's really enjoyable. Although you'll probably only play through once it will stick with you if you are a musician, a big music fan or even just a fan of surrealism and psychedelia.… Expand
  22. TheOldAlex
    Dec 19, 2021
    10
    This is a small perl. Unique game. Sound direction is brilliant and also the world and the characters.
  23. 638356
    Sep 5, 2022
    4
    Pro: Nice visuals, good audio and voice acting

    Con: Extremely linear, the choices don't have any significant effect. No real gameplay, just a walking simulator Wouldn't recommend
  24. Rubendlt2
    Dec 31, 2022
    10
    This Game is amazing, cant say what is it but the arte is great and the history too.
  25. Heekuh
    May 25, 2023
    10
    Der Sound ballert,
    Gitarren shredden derbe,
    CyberIndiepunk

    5-7-5
    no title
    no names
    Deutsch/English/Francais
    Kuh#1

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. Washington Post
    Oct 7, 2021
    70
    Unfortunately, as a musical experience, I found “The Artful Escape” completely lacking. Even for ironic kicks, I can only happily listen to so much guitar doodling. Thankfully, the rest of the game makes it easy to tune out the soundtrack.
    Read full review
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »