A Way Out Reviews
Fresh presentation and admirable dedication to its big idea can't save this two-player adventure from mediocrity.
If you go into A Way Out thinking its mandatory two-player co-op is a gimmick, you'll likely come out of it realizing that it couldn't have been done any other way. Vincent and Leo's journey will have you and a friend performing tasks together both mundane and dramatic, and the result is a memorable, variety-packed cinematic adventure that feels like what Telltale's games might've evolved into if they'd leaned into game mechanics instead of phasing them out.
Messy, varied and inadvertently hilarious: A Way Out is an unusual but uneven tandem ride.
A Way Out elevates co-op gaming in a way nothing has before, bringing players together to create one beautifully told story that everyone needs to experience.
The premise, and occasionally its execution, has its moments, but A Way Out feels like a vision not fully realized
A Way Out has many faults, but a lack of heart isn't one of them. Seeing that heart translated into a cooperative play experience makes the journey worthwhile.
A Way Out is a unique, enjoyable adventure that has a number of problems.
It is a game full of smart moments, perfect for bringing together dedicated gamers and curious onlookers alike.
Hazelight Studios deserves praise for the high ambitions of their first title, with A Way Out attempting to emulate a wide variety of genres, themes and gameplay mechanics.
Usually, in the course of gameplay, a game's character becomes an avatar for you. But A Way Out accomplishes something far more subversive and bold. Eventually, for better or for worse, you become an avatar for your character.
You may feel split between the lack of complete agency and the recognition that you are being told a story.
A Way Out is a story worth sharing with a friend. There's plenty to do, with moments of intensity and emotion, and the ending is one of the best conclusions in video games.
An excellent coop game that manages to entertain despite its not so great tempo due to its profound variety on almost every scene.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A Way Out has some ambitious, fantastic ideas at its core, but it's unfortunately surrounded by tiresome gameplay mechanics and a story that is just a bit too straightforward. While I think that the co-op focused nature of A Way Out could have better been executed upon, I endlessly credit Hazelight for trying something that I've never really seen done in this manner. Despite my issues, I really love the experimentation seen in A Way Out and hope to see more unique ideas like it in the future.
Though it's fun with a friend, A Way Out struggles with clunky set-pieces and story clichés.
There's a constant mood about A Way Out that makes it seem like it's more inventive than it really is. Disregard that and you're left with a decent-enough story with some genuinely enjoyable video game moments. It's campy fun and that's perfectly fine. Just don't expect too much more.
It's highly inconsistent, but this is still one of the most daring co-op games of recent years and shows how well playing together can work for story-based games.
'A Way Out' presents a way forward for shared video game experiences
A Way Out is full of heart and soul: you'll grow to love the characters, and you'll become invested in Leo's charm and curious about Vincent's problems, but it's light and it could leave you unsatisfied.