A Way Out

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In "A Way Out" , play as either Leo or Vincent, two prisoners who must work together to escape from prison in this exclusively co-op adventure. Experience a unique, emotional story that can only be played with two players, as you navigate through a thrilling escape and beyond. Choose between Leo, the hardened inmate, or Vincent, the determined newcomer, and see how their reluctant alliance unfolds.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 16,451 reviews

story3,080 positive mentions

replayability37 negative mentions

story
5,405 mentions
57 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "A Way Out" is widely praised for its cinematic quality and emotional depth, following the journey of two prisoners, Leo and Vincent, as they escape and seek revenge. While many players appreciate the engaging narrative and unexpected plot twists, some criticize the linearity and predictability of the story, noting that choices often lack significant impact on the outcome. Overall, the game is celebrated for its unique co-op experience that enhances the storytelling, making it a memorable adventure for players.
- “The story is gripping, with moments of action, stealth, and emotional scenes.”
- “A way out is a brilliant co-op experience with an emotional story at its core.”
- “The story is so good, and the endings are so sad. If you're going to play this, play as Leo because Vincent is so lame.”
- “The story devolves into a generic lackluster revenge arc with zero depth and two unsatisfying endings.”
- “The plot twist at the end was so forced and completely soured the entire storyline for me.”
- “The story is ridiculous & full of plot holes.”
gameplay
1,947 mentions
37 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "A Way Out" is characterized by its unique cooperative mechanics, requiring players to work together through a variety of tasks, including quick-time events, stealth, and action sequences. While the split-screen format enhances the experience, many players noted that the game leans heavily on cutscenes, resulting in a gameplay-to-cutscene ratio that some found unsatisfactory. Overall, the gameplay is generally considered simple and accessible, making it enjoyable for casual players, but it lacks depth and challenge, leading to mixed feelings about its replay value and overall engagement.
- “The split-screen gameplay is clever, letting each player experience different perspectives.”
- “The cooperative gameplay challenges you to navigate difficult areas and solve puzzles together, which delivers an experience that's both thrilling and rewarding.”
- “The unique split-screen gameplay fosters an immersive cooperative experience, where you and your partner must work together to overcome challenges, solve puzzles, and execute daring plans.”
- “The gameplay is clunky and feels lacking in almost all ways.”
- “The gameplay is minimal; it's mostly to drive the story forward with quick time events, easy controls, and some driving and shooting sections.”
- “The gameplay is very linear and I thought there would be some puzzles, which there weren't.”
graphics
715 mentions
57 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "A Way Out" have received a mixed but generally positive reception from players. Many reviewers praised the game's visuals for their detail and cinematic quality, noting that they enhance the storytelling experience, while some mentioned that the graphics, though good for a 2018 title, can feel dated compared to more recent releases. Overall, the game's graphics are considered a strong aspect, contributing to its immersive atmosphere and engaging gameplay.
- “The graphics are beautiful and the story draws you in like nothing else.”
- “The game's graphics and sound design are also noteworthy, with impressive attention to detail and immersive environments that bring the story to life.”
- “Amazing graphics and story rich.”
- “The graphics are awful, the animations are awful, and the choices you make don't matter until the very end with a dumb plot twist.”
- “But the graphics are too old... this game is too slow for me.”
- “Horrible graphics, terrible mechanics, boring plot and unskippable cutscenes really make this game painful to play.”
emotional
658 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "A Way Out" is widely praised, with many players reporting that the game made them cry, particularly due to its gripping narrative and unexpected plot twists. The cooperative gameplay enhances the emotional connection between players and characters, making the story's themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption resonate deeply. While some critiques mention weak writing, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a powerful emotional experience that lingers long after completion.
- “The game excels in its storytelling and emotional depth.”
- “The emotional depth of 'A Way Out' is evident from the outset, as it explores themes of betrayal, redemption, and the complexities of human relationships.”
- “A Way Out is a brilliant co-op experience with an emotional story at its core.”
- “Boring story, extremely linear gameplay with predictable dialogues incorporating every single prison break cliché and a cringe plot twist.”
- “This game is not like It Takes Two; it's full of cut scenes of a boring story.”
- “Boring story and there is no 'gameplay'.”
humor
292 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-1 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players highlighting a mix of intentional and unintentional comedy that enhances the cooperative experience. Many found the dialogue sharp and funny, complemented by amusing mini-games and easter eggs that provide comic relief amidst the serious narrative. Overall, the game is described as a hilarious adventure best enjoyed with a friend, where laughter often arises from both the characters' interactions and the absurdity of gameplay moments.
- “It’s heartfelt, it’s hilarious, and it’s full of moments where you’ll either be screaming in frustration or laughing so hard you’ll fail the mission.”
- “The dialogue is sharp, often humorous, and sometimes deeply touching, providing a rich narrative experience that is rarely seen in cooperative games.”
- “Playing together made us laugh out loud, tickled our funny bone and left us grinning from ear to ear.”
- “This game is so bad that it's good. The story is ultra predictable, but to a point where you don't know what's coming next because your mind refuses to believe that things will be as obvious as they end up being. I don't think it's supposed to be funny, but my friend and I were laughing the whole time we played due to the dumb stuff your characters are saying.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat. It tries too hard to be funny, but the jokes are stale and unoriginal, making it more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
- “I expected some clever wit, but instead, I was met with a barrage of tired clichés and forced gags that left me rolling my eyes rather than laughing.”
replayability
175 mentions
19 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting its limited value due to a short playtime of around 6 hours and minimal impact from player choices on the story's outcome. While some appreciate the opportunity to experience different perspectives by playing with various partners or exploring missed mini-games, the consensus is that the game lacks significant incentives for multiple playthroughs. Many recommend waiting for a sale, as the experience is enjoyable but not particularly replayable.
- “The variety of gameplay challenges and scenarios keeps the experience fresh and engaging, making 'A Way Out' highly replayable, especially with different partners.”
- “With mandatory collaboration, intense action, and replayable choices, it stands as a standout title in the action-adventure genre.”
- “Overall the game has great replayability, since it gives you important choices that affect the story, and there's also the achievements.”
- “Limited replayability: once you've unraveled the narrative twists, there's not much incentive for a second playthrough.”
- “The game's progression on a set route may restrict some players' sense of freedom and limit replayability.”
- “Overall a decent playthrough with a friend if you catch it on discount, but I wouldn't recommend at full price as it's only like 6 hours to play through and offers little replay value.”
music
171 mentions
54 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the emotional depth and cinematic experience, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as fitting and memorable. While some noted that certain tracks may not be particularly distinctive, the overall composition effectively complements the game's narrative and atmosphere, contributing to a captivating experience. Scores for the music aspect generally range from 7 to 10, indicating a strong appreciation for its role in the gameplay.
- “This emotional resonance is further amplified by the game's stunning visuals, immersive soundtrack, and impeccable voice acting, which bring the characters and their world to life in a truly captivating manner.”
- “Furthermore, the soundtrack deserves special mention, as it masterfully complements the game's emotional highs and lows, adding depth to the storytelling.”
- “The music is well-suited to the game's tone, effectively setting the mood for each scene and enhancing the overall cinematic experience.”
- “The soundtrack sounds average, nothing too distinguishable, helps pulling your heart strings during scenes.”
- “Especially since the big action part at the end of the game has no epic soundtrack to go with it, no thumping action-thriller theme, just generic ambient 'easy listening' background music, this was a little jarring, at least to me.”
- “Only half-decent takeaway from the game was the music... the little that there was.”
stability
79 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many users reporting various bugs, glitches, and connectivity issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players managed to enjoy the game despite these problems, others experienced significant frustration due to unresponsive controls, frequent crashes, and difficulties with the Origin launcher. Overall, the game is described as fun but marred by technical issues that can detract from the experience.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
- “So good, no glitches definitely.”
- “The visuals are great, the game looks awesome and runs great as well.”
- “Just spent hours troubleshooting it without success.”
- “When you're not stuck on loading screens, the lackluster gameplay and technical glitches make any potential fun vanish.”
- “The game is well modeled but the programming/scripting is terrible, so it freezes in menus and disconnects in co-op, making it unplayable.”
grinding
79 mentions
4 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
32 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, often requiring a significant time investment that feels disproportionate to the rewards. Many reviews emphasize that the gameplay can become monotonous, with repetitive tasks overshadowing potentially engaging story elements. While some appreciate the game's brevity, they still note that certain mechanics and sequences can feel unnecessarily grindy.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “Everybody older than that will find it tedious.”
- “Frustratingly, almost every part of the storyline that would have been interesting to play is glossed over, and the focus of the character-moving gameplay is almost entirely on tedious tasks.”
- “Every time you think something exciting is about to happen, it lasts for an average of 10 seconds and you are back to spectating, or 'playing' some pointless grinding slog like making friends with your useless kid, looking for sticks in the woods, or picking up bedsheets.”
character development
53 mentions
58 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and emotional impact, with players becoming deeply invested in the protagonists' journeys and relationships. The storytelling effectively intertwines character growth with gameplay, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with players, although some critiques mention inconsistencies or a lack of development in certain areas. Overall, the game is noted for its strong character arcs, engaging interactions, and a memorable conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.
- “The character development is well-executed, and players become emotionally invested in their journey as they uncover each other's backstories and motivations.”
- “I bought this to play with my cousin and we ended up crying at the end, the character development was so good it got me and my cousin so attached to the characters.”
- “The story and character development had us hooked and working together to achieve goals, leaving us with a great sense of satisfaction.”
- “The supposed character development was completely lost on us; if there was any, we didn't pick up on it.”
- “Character development is non-existent.”
- “The transition between scenes feels like the creators thought of the set pieces first and then hastily glued them together with no regard for reasonable character development.”
optimization
46 mentions
37 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game received mixed reviews, with some players praising its solid performance and smooth gameplay, particularly on high settings, while others reported issues such as stuttering, crashes, and poor multiplayer performance. Overall, many users noted that while the game can run well under certain conditions, there are significant optimization challenges that detract from the experience.
- “Performance-wise, I have nothing negative to say.”
- “The story and cinematic are pretty well-written, and the gameplay mechanics are really designed for split-screen co-op play. The performance of this game is pretty well optimized.”
- “Game has amazing graphics, the story is simply on point, and amazing optimization.”
- “I genuinely believe this to be the worst game I have ever spent money on, and I genuinely feel bad for the developers of this game because they will never be hired by another company after this load of poor performance.”
- “However, very poor performance of mandatory EA Play multiplayer.”
- “Me and my girlfriend played this and we could have been done in under 5 hours, but we were too busy laughing at serious things in this game, as well as some crashing and performance issues after about the halfway point.”
atmosphere
41 mentions
49 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "A Way Out" is widely praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by detailed graphics, strong voice acting, and a compelling soundtrack that complements the narrative. Players appreciate the game's ability to create tension and emotional engagement through its well-crafted environments and interactive elements, making it feel like a cinematic experience. Despite some critiques regarding visual fidelity and occasional bugs, the overall atmosphere is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
- “The tense atmosphere of the game keeps you on edge until the very end.”
- “The attention to detail in the graphics, combined with the strong voice acting, creates an immersive atmosphere that draws you into the world of Leo and Vincent.”
- “The music and sound effects are also very supportive, enhancing the emotional and dramatic atmosphere of the game.”
- “The story is silly, the voice acting is bad, the atmosphere is not engaging.”
- “Plot twist ruined the whole story (and previously built up atmosphere) for me.”
- “It is clear this game is a predecessor with a completely different story and atmosphere and with less sophisticated graphics and game mechanics.”
monetization
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is highly praised, as it features no DLC, microtransactions, or in-game purchases, which is a notable departure from typical EA practices. Players appreciate the absence of ads and loot boxes, highlighting the game's focus on delivering a complete experience without additional costs. However, the requirement to use the Origin launcher, which is criticized for its own microtransaction-heavy environment, slightly detracts from the overall experience.
- “EA made a game without microtransactions.”
- “An EA game without microtransactions.”
- “This game was amazing, with no in-game purchases or loot boxes.”
- “Also, please note that you need to install the Origin launcher for this game from EA, which is completely filled with microtransactions, adverts, and required updates every time you want to launch the game.”
- “This game was amazing; there are no in-game purchases or loot boxes.”
- “One will go through an emotional rollercoaster of sorts, as new bits of backstory are revealed, leading to one hell of a climax. Not to mention, this is an EA game without any microtransactions whatsoever.”