These sequences are like a game of memory and never are too difficult to copy especially since it repeats if you get it wrong or remain idle. The rhythm gameplay aspects make use of PlayStation’s triangle, square and circle buttons as well as the L1 and R1 triggers. Sometimes the dialogue scenes offer a group of three responses and they do have an effect on what happens in the game but only on conversations throughout and it’s nothing directly impactful to the plot or sequence of events–no secret/alternate endings here. Between these are tried and true dialogue bubble segments, but in The Artful Escape the excellent voice cast and stylized tone and humor make these moments entertaining and even thought provoking.

As I previously stated, it’s a linear walking simulator with specific moments where the rhythm gameplay aspect comes in. “Psychedelic” is a buzzword for many forms of art and it was used in pretty much every article I read about the game– and it is the perfect adjective for it. I discovered the game via a recommended article and its premise and the few screenshots in the piece pulled me in right away. I was able to play it when it joined the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog in July 2022. The Artful Escape originally released on Xbox and PC in September 2021 and was ported to PS4 and PS5 in January 2022. The Artful Escape combines both with a heavy focus on the former. Rhythm games became more associated with phones as time went on and “walking simulators” are a genre game that’s very accessible but not always the most stimulating. I was more interested in DJ Hero which ironically most people didn’t like.

Of course, I was aware it existed and played it at friend’s houses but I never had it myself - Rock Band either. Unlike most kids I wouldn’t say I grew up on Guitar Hero.

Download the artful escape xbox