A Way Out Reviews
You may feel split between the lack of complete agency and the recognition that you are being told a story.
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.
A Way Out is a game that everyone should take the time to play with their best friend. It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it succeeds at being highly entertaining despite its flaws. It's a unique experience, unlike anything else I've ever played, and a worthy follow-up by the developers who gave us the titular “Brothers.”
With never before seen gameplay mechanics and a solid story, A Way Out is perfect for you and a friend to enjoy.
A Way Out is an impressive achievement that definitively proves creativity matters more than bloated budgets and big-name franchises. A technically accomplished, endlessly inventive co-op masterpiece, A Way Out will surprise and excite you from beginning to end. This one deserves to be a breakout hit.
After the heartwarming Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons, Josef Fares extended the scope of his unique co-operative gameplay, addressing a much wider spectrum of players. There are a lot of gameplay opportunities that, together with a top-notch narrative, create a really engaging and original experience. The execution may not be perfect, but it's a deep and bold work.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It is a truly welcome gem in the medium that takes risks and propels the experience with new energy nearly every step of the way. The player constantly moves forward and the game gets tension done in a way seldom seen in gaming. A Way Out is an example of a triumph in new ideas, while using traditional methods of gameplay to get the point across that this is a different beast.
Ultimately I would say this game would've done better with its tongue in its cheek rather than its heart on its sleeve.
From beginning to end A Way Out will have you on the edge of your seat
A co-op experience like no other, Hazelight's A Way Out goes all in on its defining concept to deliver a remarkable game. It may be a touch lacking in character development and storytelling, but that seems insignificant given what the game itself can give you.
A Way Out is a successful experiment in co-operative play with some excellent presentation and varied gameplay. The story may be predictable, but you'll be surprised how attached you become to Leo and Vincent, and you'll be compelled to see their journey through to the end regardless.
A Way Out falls short of what it could - and should - be, but there are flickers of brilliance. And with the best part of ten hours of gameplay for two people, for half the price of an average game, it's definitely worth giving it a go over the weekend - just lower your expectations a little.
A Way Out features interesting co-оp mechanics, several beautiful chases with a great camera work, properly placed checkpoints, stunning (by the indie studios standards) graphics, and, at the same time, an absurd script and stupid characters.
Review in Russian | Read full review
A Way Out provides a unique cinematic experience that redefines the way narrative-driven games can be played, thanks to its engaging story and varied gameplay that will keep both players interested throughout, though the controls can often feel clunky.
There are better narrative-driven games, and there are better co-op games, but I find myself hard pressed to think of one that does both as gracefully as A Way Out. While let down by its writing, it's worth your time if you're looking for an adventure that can only be shared with someone else.
A Way Out is a true achievement in game design. Not only does it manage to take players on a true journey of emotion, it does so in a way that is only possible through the medium of video games. It manages to do something truly special by making two players to cooperate for an extended amount of time, and the discussions that happen on the couch or over voice chat can be just as revealing as the game itself. Josef Fares and Hazelight have undoubtedly raised the bar for co-op gaming.
If you're not a fan of linear games, you should probably play A Way Out anyway. The game's presentation of a truly co-operative story is sublime, and it makes full use of the video game medium as a method to punctuate the dramatic moments and develop its characters. Like Brothers, A Way Out presents a unique twist to the cinematic story formula, and it sticks the landing.
A Way Out has some fantastic ideas that deliver a very unique co-op experience. It's certainly worthy of your time, should you and a friend have it spare to commit to the game's eight or so hours.
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.
A Way Out is a unique game, a huge success in the narrative genre, that deals more than well with its urge to make us play cooperatively. The concept, that involves an almost permanent split-screen, not only works great, but the story, its characters and the way we deal with some really simple but really engaging gameplay makes us feel like we are actually the two lovely protagonists of this interactive, full of action and emotion buddy movie.
Review in French | Read full review