Mike DeGagne of AllMusic retrospectively awarded Escape four-and-a-half stars out of five, writing, "The songs are timeless, and as a whole, they have a way of rekindling the innocence of youthful romance and the rebelliousness of growing up, built from heartfelt songwriting and sturdy musicianship.

The first review of 1981 by Deborah Frost marked Journey as heavy metal posers and the music in the album as easily playable by any session musician.

readers voted Escape the greatest AOR album of all time[13]―Classic Rock expressed the same opinion in 2008.

[18] Cash Box described "Still They Ride" as a "bluesy lament" with a "sad, almost mournful" vocal, "doleful acoustic piano work" and "crying guitar notes.

"[19] Billboard called "Still They Ride" a "soft, lyrical ballad" with similar "tone and style" to "Open Arms".