AR-K: The Great Escape
- July 14, 2015
- GATO STUDIO
The Great Escape is proof that the AR-K series has the potential to get better as it progresses. The graphics and voice acting are a step up, but it’s the story that has improved by leaps and bounds. Not only does it make more sense now, but it is the most persuasive argument for getting you to try the game in the first place.
Get on SteamIn "AR-K: The Great Escape," players navigate a 3D pixel art world as protagonist Alicia Vanvolio, a journalist and amateur detective. After being trapped on a mysterious floating city, Alicia must solve puzzles and interrogate characters to uncover conspiracies and make her escape. This final installment of the AR-K series offers a satisfying conclusion to the engaging story.
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Reviews
- The Great Escape is a significant improvement over the first two episodes, featuring better graphics, more engaging storytelling, and improved puzzle design.
- The characters are more likable and well-developed, with the protagonist Alicia showing more depth and personality.
- The game includes enjoyable humor, interesting puzzles, and a streamlined user interface that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
- The game relies heavily on the previous episodes for context, making it less accessible for new players who haven't played the first two.
- There are several bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with dialogue mismatches and inventory management.
- Some puzzles are poorly designed or confusing, leading to frustration and requiring players to resort to trial and error.
- story50 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and well-developed, particularly in the third installment, while others criticize it for being predictable and shallow. Many appreciate the humor and character development, noting improvements in storytelling mechanics and plot structure over the series. Overall, while the narrative may not break new ground in the sci-fi genre, it offers a charming and entertaining experience that keeps players invested in the unfolding saga.
“The story is great too, and all the characters are likable.”
“The great escape is a huge step forward for the AR-K series and improves the game in all aspects: graphics, storytelling (the story shapes up nicely and I can't wait to see what happens in the final episode), puzzles, and gameplay.”
“The story overall was interesting and had much more of a sense of direction to it.”
“After playing AR-K 1 and 2 back to back, I found the change in art style for this game hard to adjust to, and the overall story wasn't engaging enough.”
“It feels thrown together - you can't actually see what you're clicking on, the dialogue is flat and full of typos, the puzzles are either non-existent (given away by the characters) or ludicrous, and the storyline is one-note.”
“The story is incomplete, and from a brief look on the forums, the next chapter isn't even in development.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics in the latest installment of the AR-K series have received significant praise for their improvement over the first two games, showcasing a more polished and conventional style that enhances the overall experience. Players noted that the character design and visual quality are much better, contributing to a more engaging narrative and gameplay. While some found the new art style a departure from the previous games, the consensus is that the graphics, along with voice acting and user interface, have greatly advanced, making the third game a standout in the series.
“The great escape is a huge step forward for the AR-K series and improves the game in all aspects: graphics (you can see that from the screenshots and trailer), storytelling (the story shapes up nicely and I can't wait to see what happens in the final episode), puzzles (much more logical and fun), gameplay (the user interface is a lot more intuitive).”
“The graphics, dialogues, and voice acting are all really first class.”
“Graphics and voice over are quite enjoyable and a huge improvement over the first two episodes.”
“After playing AR-K 1 and 2 back to back, I found the change in art style for this game hard to adjust to, and the overall story wasn't engaging enough.”
“Beyond the improved graphical style, the most obvious change in Great Escape is how less bold it is.”
“Graphics are a huge improvement over the first two chapters (less impractically shaped stock 'woman' model, though cut scene rendering is still really weird?) and the spoken scripting has been hugely improved as well.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "The Great Escape" marks a significant improvement over its predecessors, featuring a more intuitive user interface, enhanced puzzle design, and better overall mechanics. While it adopts a more conventional point-and-click style, some players may find the reliance on previous episodes and the less methodical approach challenging. Overall, the game strikes a balance between engaging storytelling and interactive gameplay, though some mechanics may still feel sluggish or frustrating at times.
“The Great Escape is a huge step forward for the AR-K series and improves the game in all aspects: graphics (you can see that from the screenshots and trailer), storytelling (the story shapes up nicely and I can't wait to see what happens in the final episode), puzzles (much more logical and fun), gameplay (the user interface is a lot more intuitive).”
“The gameplay mechanics have been greatly improved since the first game, as have the graphics (though I thought they were fine in the first game, too).”
“It is the perfect balance of not just a good story, which is vital in an adventure game, but also good interactive gameplay.”
“It sacrificed most of its spunkiness to bring us more conventional point-and-click gameplay and a better graphical style, but it also relies too much on the previous episodes to consider this a standalone game.”
“So players who prefer methodical, linear gameplay could potentially feel stressed by this, as you're dumped somewhere and expected to find out things on your own (with a wee bit of help from the sidekick, but that's about it!).”
“If you're planning on playing the first two chapters, you'll want to keep a guide at hand though, just to avoid any unnecessary frustrations in regard to game progression and gameplay.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in this adventure game series is consistently praised for its cleverness and charm, with many reviewers noting its engaging dialogue and funny character interactions. While some feel it doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessors, it still delivers a well-crafted experience filled with genuinely funny moments and a captivating story. Overall, the humor is highlighted as a standout feature that enhances the enjoyment of the game.
“Not quite as magical as the first two parts, but it's still a well-crafted and funny adventure game that's well worth the price.”
“This was a fun and funny puzzle-solving adventure game that I really enjoyed, along the same lines as Monkey Island and in the tradition of King's Quest (with fewer puns and dying).”
“The biggest stand-out feature of the game is the humor - there are some lines that really made me laugh out loud.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the strong writing and abundant dialogue that enhance character development, contributing to a more immersive and engaging experience.
“I really enjoyed the writing, and there's plenty of extra dialogue for character development.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with many users reporting numerous game-breaking bugs and glitches, leading to a perception of it being poorly developed. However, some players note that the latest episode shows improvement, being less buggy than its predecessors.
“This episode is much more bug-free than the previous two episodes.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major glitches.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay feels; it really enhances the overall experience.”
“No wonder this game is so cheap; it's a broken mess with dozens of game-breaking bugs and glitches.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the overall experience.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty, with players noting that it can captivate them for extended periods, such as spending hours simply enjoying the soundtrack.
“The music is beautiful; I think I've spent more than two hours at Grigor's house just listening to it.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing every moment of the experience.”
“Each track is thoughtfully composed, making the music a standout feature that keeps you engaged.”
