


With the constant theme being “pshhh no way someone who’s never played a show can be JOHNSON VENDETTI!” in an attempt to inspire the player. Folk legend Johnson Vendetti, in death, left behind a legacy that leaves Francis under a shadow, so much so that the hometown of Calypso is basically shoving him into his uncle’s now empty shoes. The purpose of the game is: you are Francis Vendetti, and you are trying to escape becoming your uncle. This plot device is relatable to most people who have titan-esque expectations demanded of them, so the feeling towards Francis is one of empathy and “poor guy.”

The depression the protagonist is feeling is of impossible-to-fill expectations of those around him. The landscape is very ‘artful’ and forces you to take in the sights. This segment has molasses pacing, as you are greeted with a solid folk tune. The beginning of the game sets the stage for the rest of it, we are introduced to a melancholy folk guitar player who seems audibly depressed to the point where he’s trying to make someone notice. Announced back in E3 2017, this platform rock opera-inspired title has arrived, and has brought the gift of nonstop - I mean NONSTOP - electric guitar, to very artistic platforming sequences and ‘Simon Says’ mini-games for gamers all around. The Artful Escape is finally here with electric guitar saturated glory.
