If you've been gaming for a while you probably already know this: co-op games are scarce. Ever since gaming began moving further and further away from couches, co-op games have declined. Maybe it's the pricing model as both players would need to own the game or developing them, in general, is just a challenge. Either way, they're virtually non-existent. That's why my good friend and I jump at the chance for a great co-operative experience. This being the case, we happen to stumble on A Way Out.
A Way Out is a narrative-driven, genre-bending co-op game. You play as two prisoners looking to find a way out of jail (no pun intended, it's not even a good one). The premise is interesting and it does a good job of making you excited for the possibilities ahead. You have our two protagonists: Leo and Vincent. The former being a somewhat childish delinquent and the latter more of a white-collar calm headed professional. Obviously, these two characters couldn't be more different from each other besides being incarcerated, of course. The game begins right as Vincent is dropped off at the prison and Leo is doing his daily stroll around the prison courtyard.
Presentation
The camera switches between split-screen and a shared single screen depending on the importance of the scene. For example, there is a scene where Vincent is playing basketball with Leo's son. Whoever is playing Leo goes to meet up with his wife and the screen pushes Vincent's side of the camera off to make room for Leo entirely. Other times, both characters are involved in a cutscene that takes place on one big screen. I'll admit that this is an interesting and at times stylish way to present the game; however, if you and your pal want to talk to different NPCs at a time it makes for a cacophony of jumbled words as both NPCs will be speaking simultaneously. Especially because the voice acting sounds like they found people off the street and asked them to read a piece of paper arbitrarily doing them all in one take.
Story (Heavy Spoilers)
Unfortunately, the story in this game seems as though it was written by an edgy, crime film-obsessed 12th grader. It's not only riddled with clichés and terrible voice acting but ultimately bends itself to the will of the gameplay in mindboggling ways. The best example is a huge spoiler but it needs to be discussed in any review of this game. After the big fight with the antagonist of the story, our two "heroes" return to the United States only to be surrounded by cops. At this moment in time, Vincent reveals he is an undercover cop. Some events follow and the two men end up having a showdown atop a roof in a building not too far from where their plane landed. Now the two players have to fight among each other and whoever wins determines the ending of the game. This sounds like a fantastic, innovative idea on paper and it works great as a gameplay mechanic. Problem is that it doesn't make any sense narratively. Vincent is a police officer and as such should adhere to the law. Leo is no longer able to resist and Vincent could have easily pacified him. Leo killing Vincent is a lot more believable although there is no explanation as to how he would escape the facility. This is just one of many examples of the narrative taking a nose down for the sake of NBD (Never Been Done) gameplay.
Gameplay
The controls are standard with an interactive button that does most of the action. The game plays like a Heavy Rain or Indigo Prophecy (Fahrenheit), taking advantage of QTEs for more intensive scenes. The controls feel stiff most of the time and pretty awkward when controlling vehicles as well. The lack of hit detection, flawed cover system, and hasty health regeneration make the third person shooting sections all but enjoyable. There are also mini-games throughout that allow the players to compete with each other. Surprisingly, these little competitive moments are the most fun the game provides.
Plot Holes
There are so many questionable plot points in the game that I wanted to take some time to point out some of them. Keep in mind this game takes place in the early 70s:
- Why does Vincent reveal himself to Leo before Leo is arrested?
- Why does Vincent kill Leo and vice versa?
- How does Leo escape from the facility?
- How did Emily find them in Mexico?
- Why did Vincent stakeout so far from his brother?
- How was Vincent a bad husband?
- Why does Leo know how to fight so well? (Hospital Scene)
- Why is Harvey an indescribable douchebag?
- Why does the weapons dealer sell them out?
- Why did they send only one hitman and how did he know where they were?
- Why is Leo's nose so freakin' big? So he can smell the danger ahead?
- How was it legal for Vincent to kill Harvey in Mexico?
- How did they find Harvey's mansion? Police help possibly? It should be explained to the audience at least.
- The torture scene makes no sense. All of the methods they try to use seem to have no effect but then the guy randomly says he's had enough.
- How did two men take down an entire drug lord and his cronies?
Conclusion
A Way Out is the answer to a question that no one asked: what would it be like to play a B action movie? My friend and I laughed all throughout this game as we were baffled by the head-scratching narrative, lackluster voice acting, and subpar shooting mechanics. Some have praised it for its heartwrenching story but with the generic characters and stereotypes, there's nothing the game offers to warm my heart genuinely. At the end of the day, what most people want from a video game review is a recommendation. As long as you can find this game for about 10 dollars, I think it's worth the experience and the buddy pass it comes with sweetens the deal.