A Way Out:
Introduction:
"A Way Out" is an action-adventure video game created by Hazelight Studios and published by Electronic Arts. It marks the second game directed by Josef Fares, following "Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons." What sets "A Way Out" apart is its exclusive focus on cooperative multiplayer gameplay; it doesn't offer a single-player option. Players can engage in local or online split-screen co-op, teaming up with a partner to progress through the game together. The game saw its release on March 23, 2018, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, and within just two weeks, it sold over a million copies.
In "A Way Out," the action-adventure unfolds from a third-person perspective. It's been purposefully designed for split-screen cooperative multiplayer, necessitating the involvement of two players either locally or online, where both players' screens are displayed side by side. Players assume the roles of Leo and Vincent, two convicted prisoners with a shared goal: escaping from prison and evading the pursuing authorities. The unique aspect of the game is that the storylines of both protagonists run simultaneously, leading to moments where one player may control their character while the other watches a cutscene. Cooperation is key to progress, and each situation offers multiple approaches, allowing both characters to take on different roles. For example, in one early segment, the player controlling Vincent must distract a nurse and guard while the player controlling Leo searches for a chisel necessary for their escape. Importantly, these roles are not fixed, so Leo and Vincent can swap roles in subsequent playthroughs. Players can also engage with non-playable characters and make dialogue choices.
The game introduces a "play free online" model, enabling players to join online sessions hosted by their friends, even if the joining player doesn't own the full game.
Gameplay:
Additionally, "A Way Out" features various minigames, including an arcade game called "Grenade Brothers," arm wrestling, musical duets on instruments like the banjo and piano, as well as sports like baseball and basketball. It also includes recreational activities such as bottle shooting, Connect Four, darts, horseshoes, spearfishing, wheelchair maneuvers, and physical exercises like chin-ups, dips, push-ups, sit-ups, and bench presses.
The game's narrative centers around Vincent Moretti and Leo Caruso. Vincent is incarcerated for fraud and murder in 1972, while Leo, imprisoned for grand theft, assault, and armed robbery, joins him six months later. The two form an alliance after a violent incident in the prison cafeteria, which leads to both being sent to the infirmary. Leo initiates their escape plan by requesting Vincent's assistance in stealing a chisel. Vincent agrees, and their partnership solidifies when he reveals his personal vendetta against Harvey, a crime boss.
As Leo and Vincent progress in their escape, they employ various tactics, including crafting a rope from stolen sheets and smuggling a wrench to open a grating. Their journey involves evading the police in the wilderness, camping, and fishing for sustenance. Along the way, Vincent discloses his past as a banker, revealing how Harvey forced him into money laundering and eventually murdered Vincent's brother as a warning, framing Vincent for the crime. Leo also shares his history, detailing how he and Harvey stole the valuable Black Orlov gem. However, Harvey's betrayal during an attempt to sell the gem led to Leo's imprisonment.
Development:
The story continues with Leo and Vincent tracking down Ray, one of Harvey's underlings, at a construction site. After capturing him, they extract information about Harvey's location, discovering he's in Mexico. Driven by a desire for revenge, the duo robs a gas station to obtain firearms from an arms dealer named Jasmine. Unfortunately, Jasmine betrays them by revealing their location to Harvey. Vincent calls Emily, a pilot, to arrange transport to Mexico, learning that his wife, Carol, has recently given birth. Despite the urgency, they decide to visit the hospital, but police surround the building, forcing them to make a swift exit. Leo gets captured but escapes with Vincent's assistance.
With Emily's help, Leo and Vincent fly to Mexico, embarking on a mission to confront Harvey at his mansion. A fierce firefight ensues, culminating in the defeat of Harvey and the recovery of the Black Orlov. However, upon returning to the United States on Emily's plane, they are met with a surprise. An FBI officer reveals that both he and Emily are undercover agents. The Black Orlov operation was, in fact, a sting, and the arms dealer they killed was Vincent's brother, Gary.
Feeling betrayed, Leo takes Vincent hostage, hijacks a police car, and attempts to escape. During a pursuit to avoid a police roadblock, their car crashes into water. Both escape, with Leo stealing a boat and Vincent being rescued by Emily in a police helicopter. After a tumultuous chase, Leo and Vincent engage in a final showdown on the rooftop. One of them emerges victorious after a life-and-death struggle, and they share a poignant moment before the story's conclusion.
In one possible outcome, if Vincent survives, he informs Linda, Leo's wife, about Leo's demise before returning to Carol, seeking to mend their marriage and raise their newborn daughter. He reveals that he has resigned from the FBI.
In an alternative outcome, if Leo survives, he delivers Vincent's letter of apology to Carol and subsequently departs with his family, leaving town while Vincent's funeral takes place.
Plot:
Development of "A Way Out" was spearheaded by Hazelight Studios, a Swedish-based team led by film director Josef Fares. Several team members, including Fares, had previously collaborated on the acclaimed game "Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons" at Starbreeze Studios. The development process commenced in the latter half of 2014, with the team aiming to create a unique cooperative gaming experience. Instead of the conventional drop-in, drop-out cooperative format seen in many games, they designed a complete game that necessitates cooperative play throughout.
The emphasis of "A Way Out" is on delivering an emotional adventure, even during online play, with cutscenes ensuring that players can immerse themselves in the storyline of both characters. The game incorporates a wide variety of gameplay sequences, ranging from stealth to driving, to keep players engaged and intrigued. Leo and Vincent were meticulously crafted to have distinct personalities and unique responses to the game world, fostering a more realistic and immersive experience. Fares Fares, a Swedish-Lebanese actor and Josef Fares' older brother, assumes the role of Leo.
Electronic Arts' EA Originals program, dedicated to supporting small independent games, played a pivotal role in bringing "A Way Out" to life. EA provided $3.7 million for the game's development while granting Hazelight creative control. All revenue generated from the game's sales would return to Hazelight, cementing the collaboration. The official announcement of Hazelight Studios and the partnership with EA was made during The Game Awards 2014. The game's title and gameplay details were unveiled at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2017 (E3), and it was ultimately released on March 23, 2018, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.
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