The Artful Escape

This game is mostly a walking simulator in front of fantastical landscapes and creatures. The actual gameplay is rather minimal, and although there is some story, but there is just not enough to balance out how much you just have to hold the walk button.

The Artful Escape is a rock opera masquerading as a musical platforming game from the Australian development studio Beethoven & Dinosaur.  The Artful Escape follows Francis Vendetti, a teenage guitar prodigy bristling under others' expectations. An improbable encounter catapults him into a universe-spanning, mind-expanding adventure. Francis sheds his past and discovers who he wants to be. The gameplay shifts between three loops. The first is exploration and conversations with NPCs. The second is light platforming. The third is playing music by copying button presses, emulating playing different notes. However, the gameplay is almost unimportant. It is more something to do while gawking at the supersaturated visuals and basking in the music. Holding "X" on the controller allows Francis to improvise on the guitar ("shred") as he runs, leaps and slides through alien landscapes. I could not wipe the grin off my face from the sheer joy and spectacle.  The Artful Escape's universe has a Douglas Adams-like absurdity and comedy. For example, Francis Vendetti flies a warp turtle through the cosmic extraordinary to a starship called The Galactic Lung. He visits the Hyperion Wailzone, where the danger level is "dolphin".  The game's music is a love letter to the 1980s, particularly psychedelic rock. Much of the inspiration and music come from Johnny Galvatron, one of the developers. He fronted the band "The Galvatrons" in Australia and the UK in the late 2000s. The Artful Escape is part celebration, parody and critique of the music industry. Unfortunately, The Artful Escape is short, taking about five hours to finish. Those looking for challenges or meaningful choices will be disappointed. Sometimes holding "X" while jumping or moving is awkward. However, The Artful Escape is bursting with spectacle, absurdity and glee. Its message is hopeful and empowering. It is a fairy tale for the rock era, a monument to the joy of music and self-actualization.

The Artful Escape is a extraordinary adventure taking you to different colourful worlds while jamming on some good music. It teaches you some self-acceptance as well. Great game overall!

A gloriously epic rock-opera, more of an experience than a game, as expected from Annapurna. Very simple platforming with some rhythm section. More of a game-ified art exhibition in a gorgeous looking world.

One of the best games I’ve ever played, with a great soundtrack and amazing graphics. The game wouldn’t run until I toned down the graphics settings, but that’s most likely a problem with my VM.