A Way Out Review

If want to experience a different multiplayer split-screen coop game, A Way Out is a game for you. The game was developed by Hazelight Studios, directed by Josef Fares, and published by EA. The game offers you an incredible story and a great gameplay experience. Unfortunately, the game has no single-player option, so you have to play it with your friend online/local. I have a friend who asked me to play it, so because of him, I’m reviewing this game.

The game is designed for two players, so before the game even started, players have to choose to play Leo Caruso or Vincent Moretti. Both criminals have different personalities and backstories. They both first talk to each other in the prison, after further discussion, they decided to work their way out. At the end of the escape, both have the same motivation and work together again to kill the one and only Harvey. Who is Harvey? Is it about revenge?

Even though escaping prison only lasts a bit, the game offers an incredible story that is divided into 5 chapters. During playing, Leo and Vincent have many different approaches in many situations. Players will have to choose between Leo’s way or Vincent’s way. Every decision will determine the story’s direction. At some point, players will encounter a cutscene. What I didn’t like, is there’s no ability to skip cutscene for a second run.

I like how A Way Out was designed, the creative split-screen game where one player is in the cutscene and the other player can move freely while watching the other player is in the cutscene. Since it is a split-screen game, I love how players can see both perspectives at the same time, it could also be beneficial for timing action. At some point, the game will go full-screen mode without split-screen, which means only the player on the screen can control the character.

Some puzzles in the game are straight forwards, where one player distracts the guards, the other player sneaks around the guard to acquire an item. At some point, the puzzles have many ways to solve. The puzzles are like it had two options on one question, you just need to find the options. There’s also some minigames pitstop where both players can play and compete for a higher score, like dueling banjo/piano, darts, arm wrestling, connect four, and many more.

The visual in this game is not the best compare with the other games in that time like God of War and Spiderman. At some point in third-person shooter mode, the animation of Vincent and Leo is a bit stiff and uncomfortable. Even with the lack of visuals, the game already represents Leo and Vincent good enough to become believable. Fares Fares (Leo’s VA) and Eric Krogh (Vincent’s VA) are both incredible with their role as a voice actor for both characters.

A Way Out is a perfect co-op game like I have never seen before, with an incredible concept and story. You and your friend will finish the game around 6 hours of playtime. With the price for a single game, It is not worth money with a little amount of playtime. I play A Way Out while in EA Play subscription, so for me, it is worth a play. Hazelight Studios bring a multi-player story-rich game that is normally played in a single-player game. I very recommend this game.