The Artful Escape can be considered one of the most beautiful indie games of recent times, and not just for its stellar music. Although passed up by many, The Artful Escape is definitely one of those games that will leave players who give it a chance stunned, as every moment is full of style.
In the game, players impersonate Francis Vendetti, grandson of Johnson Vendetti, a well-known folk singer from Calypso in Colorado. The Artful Escape, which is now available for PlayStation and Switch, can be classified as a 2D rhythm platformer, but its story is where it shines. This is because the protagonist's journey in search of their true self can mirror the real life journeys of many players.
The Artful Escape's Plot Explained
In The Artful Escape, the player's task is to help Francis Vendetti discover himself. In the beginning, the player will have the chance to witness what Francis' life is like, showing that he is a boy who tries to follow in his uncle's footsteps. However, Francis' real dream was not to become a folk singer, but a rock musician. Unfortunately, he did not have the chance to stand up for his dreams, as everyone in his town expected him to be like his uncle - even his mother.
The boy tried to suppress his true feelings until he met an unknown girl who put him in front of the truth and wanted to help him chase what his dream was. So Francis, moved by a strong desire to be who he really was, started to look for the girl in the place where he was told to go during their meeting. This search is based around platform and rhythm game mechanics that are not invasive, letting the player progress and experience the story without too much effort.
Unfortunately, no one in the city seemed to know about the place Francis was looking for. Saddened by this, Francis decided to go home to better prepare for the next day's performance. Everyone in town was counting on him and couldn't wait to see Francis on stage for his uncle at a festival organized in his honor, singing his family member's greatest hits.
Fortunately, not all was lost. That same night, an alien entity visited him, and, with the help of a musician who seemed to come from another dimension, Francis was convinced once and for all to pursue his dream. After a demonstration of his talent, the aliens agreed to go on tour with Francis. From this moment on, Francis' journey among aliens, different dimensions, cosmos, and worlds begins.
The Artful Escape's Magnificent Journey
As previously stated, The Artful Escape's goal is to help the protagonist on his journey of self-discovery. It is not difficult to guess, however, that what the player faces in the role of Francis Vendetti can also be considered their own journey to discover themselves.
Although the game is fantastical and might seem that it has nothing in common with the real world, the different alien worlds players visit are accompanied by a beautiful psychedelic rock soundtrack inspired by artists such as Led Zeppelin and David Bowie, among others. In these worlds, they will be able to find different analogies about the real world and make connections to their own lives. Anything in the game is related to something that any person in their life could have the chance to experience sooner or later. Even the slightest thing that occurs to Francis during his adventure fits into the story's relatable nature.
As Francis, the player will have to face and overcome various pitfalls, all aimed at trying to clip the boy's wings and make him become what others wanted him to be - a dynamic that is undoubtedly very believable and something that any person can experience in the course of their life. However, there will be characters who, instead, will support the protagonist in choosing him and, indeed, will try to push him further and further.
Anyone who ventures into this incredible psychedelic journey alongside aliens that are far different from Alien's Xenomorph will be able to identify with Francis Vendetti and find things they have in common with him. The developers' intentions were undoubtedly centered around creating a story that anyone could relate to, with the game being a tool to help anyone who needed it. As such, considering The Artful Escape as just another game would be doing it a disservice.
The Artful Escape, which appears in the Xbox Game Pass, aims to make anyone who plays it understand that pursuing their dreams is vital in life. The whole game is constructed on this concept, and even if Francis is put to the test and tries several times to abandon his dream, he understands in the end that he has to pursue it.
The message behind Francis' journey and the whole game is essential. Ultimately, the game avoids any "distraction" from what is the main focus, and this is beneficial. Though the game can appear too linear, the most important thing about it is not the gameplay itself but the message hidden behind it. Anyone can appreciate Francis' journey, and his story can help those that need to find themselves in the process.
The Artful Escape is now available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X.
