In an industry over saturated with open worlds and micro-transactions, A Way Out proves to be a revolutionary game. Developed by Hazelight and published by EA Originals, A Way Out is an adventure, couch co-op that delivers a highly engaging experience that players will find hard to forget.
What differentiates the game and renders it so innovative is the fact that it makes gaming interactive and gripping to a level hitherto unreached. A Way Out’s core gameplay requires two people to work together to solve often complicated situations. The interactions that will take place in real life are reflected and further enhanced by the on-screen dialogue between protagonists Vincent and Leo, which helps players identify with them. Gorgeous visuals and a superbly paced plot only enhance the sense of immersion that players will feel as they progress in the game.
A Way Out commences with Vincent’s first moments in the prison in which he is newly incarcerated. Players are immediately given control of Vincent and Leo and are encouraged to interact with the world around the characters. Leo can talk with fellow prisoners while Vincent gets booked at the prison. The ways that the two men communicate with the world around them are highly individualized and shed light on each character’s personality. Leo is brash and quick-tempered while Vincent is cool and collected, but they are ultimately forced into an alliance when a fellow prisoner attempts to murder them.
The game’s plot takes off from this point, as Leo introduces Vincent to his plan to break out of the prison. The storyline quickly becomes complicated. Players will need to spend time gathering items that will prove instrumental during their breakout and in the world beyond the prison walls. The story grapples with questions of trust, confidence, and dependence as Vincent and Leo, and vicariously the players, forge bonds that are tested throughout the game.
Even early in the game, A Way Out masterfully imbues seemingly mundane scenes with suspense. These scenarios require players to plan out a strategy together to accomplish certain objectives and then maintain clear communication when implementing it. The banter that A Way Out induces players to engage in on the couch or over the game’s online gameplay option cultivates a sense of camaraderie that will only be augmented as they delve deeper in Vincent and Leo’s story.
Controls for A Way Out are extremely intuitive, making the game accessible to a wide audience. Gamers new and old can almost immediately pick up the controls, which range from moving Vincent and Leo around with the control stick and completing quick time events when prompts appear. Some of the quick time events require deft handwork, such as during Vincent and Leo’s brawl in the prison’s recreational area, which adds to the game’s level of difficulty.
Graphically, A Way Out is a testament to the heights that the current gaming generation can reach. Whether they be wide shots previewing the environment or close-ups of Vincent and Leo, the visuals and world design capture in great detail the atmospheric feel that the game strives to attain.
As part of purchasing A Way Out, players can give a friend access to the entirety of the game for free with the online Friends Pass. This allows for friends to connect in ways otherwise inaccessible and bolsters the game’s overall appeal.
A Way Out is a visual masterpiece driven by a powerful, resonant story. While the game only takes between 6 and 8 hours to complete, it contains a world and characters worth getting to know. In A Way Out, Hazelight and EA Originals have created a game that is definitely worth investing in.
Rating: 9.5/10
Check Out A Way Out Launch Trailer:
A Way Out will be available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC via Origin tomorrow, March 23, 2018.
PlayStation 4 Review
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Overall Score - 9.5/109.5/10
I'm a recent graduate of Columbia University. Gaming has been a passion of mine my entire life; I enjoy everything from RPGs and FPSs to stealth and narrative-driven games. I love the deeply immersive quality that good video games inherently possess, and am looking forward to highlighting games worthy of acclaim. When I'm not studying or reading, you can catch me playing games like Uncharted, Dishonored, The Witcher 3, and Far Cry.
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