Skiff is described as making music by banging on pots and pans. A group that is known to be all about ‘skiff’ inhabits the town. There is notable satire on yuppie culture in Francis’ hometown of Calypso.

The narrative of The Artful Escape is inspired by the growing pains of a teenager who is supposed to live up to ‘cosmic’ aspirations. Even Batman has his Robin, but here you are basically an unfound Dick Grayson after the carnival accident. Honestly, I found the crippling amount of disbelief over Francis’ abilities during the entire narrative to be cumbersome in some aspects, every single person besides Lightman (introduced later) doesn’t believe in Francis. 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.

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