Xbox Game Passhas no shortage of single-player hits, but there are also some memorable co-op experiences mixed throughout the service’s offerings. First released in 2018,A Way Outis the very first game by Hazelight Studios, a game studio now well-known for its two-player co-op titles. This groundbreaking co-op title is available in the EA Play catalog included with Xbox Game Pass PC and Ultimate, and while there are plenty of other incredible games under the EA banner to try out,A Way Outshould be at the top of the list.
Set in the early 1970s,A Way Outfollows two convicts as they attempt a prison breakand deal with the consequences their respective crimes have had on their families. The game follows the course of their relationship as they bond and figure out how to navigate their increasingly complicated lives by working together. On top of an engrossing story,A Way Outfeatures some of the best co-op gameplay of the last decade.
A Way Out Is A Fantastic Co-Op Game
Hazelight Studios Started With A Bang
Following Vincent and Leo, two prisoners in 1972,A Way Outoffers a compelling narrative as these two realistic characters bond over the course of the story. Importantly, the co-op gameplay isn’t simply set dressing, butan intrinsic part of the story that helps players feel the bondbetween Vincent and Leo as they work together. Players are always helping each other out and navigating puzzles together, which makesA Way Outa uniquely intense game.
While later titles by the studio, likeIt Takes TwoandSplit Fiction, may be flashier,A Way Outhas the most fleshed-out characters and storyon top of stellar co-op gameplay. Not only was it thebest co-op experience of 2018, but seven years later, trying it out is still easily worth the time.
Hazelight’s Debut Cemented The New Wave Of Co-Op
It Takes Two Won Game Of The Year In 2021
Hazelight Studios has almost single-handedly ushered inthe current era of popular co-op games, especially withtightly crafted narratives focused on the relationship between two people. AfterA Way Outin 2018, Hazelight Studios went on to developIt Takes TwoandSplit Fiction, with the former winningGame of the Year at The Game Awards in 2021. While the setting for every single Hazelight Studios game is wildly different, they all share similarities in their core two-player gameplay.
It’s clear from the success of every Hazelight Studios title since 2018 that players love co-op games. The simple mechanics andinteractivity make every co-op title easy to enjoy, especially with people who might not have as much experience gaming and find other online multiplayer games intimidating. Hopefully, these successes will inspire AAA and indie studios alike to embrace the genre and create more experiences likeA Way Out.
