A Way Out: Complete Guide

Everything you need to set up and enjoy A Way Out on PC: how co-op works (local, online, Friend's Pass, Remote Play Together), which character to pick, a spoiler-light walkthrough outline, the Leo-versus-Vincent choice moments, minigames, and a full achievement plan with the easy-to-miss ones.

Researched September 2026 — current as of the Steam release (June 18, 2020; the game first launched on PC, PS4 and Xbox One on March 23, 2018); A Way Out receives no content updates. Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.

Quick Start

• It is two-player only. You cannot play solo. Both players are always on a split screen, even online.
• Only one person may need to own it. On Steam, the store page's headline option is Remote Play Together: the owner streams the game to a friend who does not own it. A Way Out also has a Friend's Pass (a free way for a non-owner to join an owner online); check that it is offered on your store/launcher before relying on it.
• Pick characters by personality. Leo is brash and direct; Vincent is careful and methodical. Neither is "harder".
• Talk to each other constantly. Many sequences need you to coordinate timing, distract guards, or boost each other.
• Look at the other half of the screen. Important information, and sometimes the solution, is on your partner's side.
• Choices alternate between Leo's and Vincent's approaches. You pick together, loud versus quiet, at several points.
• Try the minigames. Arm wrestling, baseball, basketball, Connect Four and more are scattered around; several give achievements.
• Achievements are mostly optional interactions. Many are easy to miss on a first run; see the list below.
• It is a short, tight campaign. Plan a couple of evenings; chapter select lets you replay.
• It is story-first. Do not rush past side interactions; they are the best parts.

Setup and Ways to Play

Setup | How it works

Local split-screen | Two players on one PC; typically keyboard plus controller or two controllers

Online with Friend's Pass | One owner invites a friend, who downloads the free Friend's Pass (availability varies by store; the Steam page itself advertises Remote Play Together)

Steam Remote Play Together | Stream the local game to a friend over Steam; only the host needs the game

Online, both own the game | Standard online co-op

Notes:

• The Steam version requires an EA account (it can be linked to Steam) and EA's client software running in the background, per the Steam store page.
• Controllers are recommended for driving and quick-time sequences.
• Split-screen is permanent by design; sometimes one half expands to fill the screen for cinematic moments.

Characters

Character | Personality | Typical approach

Leo Caruso | Hot-headed, direct | Loud, aggressive, improvises

Vincent Moretti | Calm, calculating, newly arrived in prison | Stealthy, plans ahead

At several decision points, one player suggests Leo's option and the other Vincent's; both must agree. Leo's plans tend to be louder; Vincent's quieter. Neither is "wrong", and replaying with the other choices is fun.

Controls and Mechanics

• Interaction prompts appear for each player separately. Watch your half.
• Cooperative actions (boosting, back-to-back climbing, rowing, paddling) need both players to press inputs in rhythm.
• Quick-time events appear in action scenes; each player has their own.
• Distractions: one player often talks to or distracts an NPC while the other sneaks or grabs an item.
• Driving sections: one player drives while the other shoots or navigates.

Walkthrough Outline (spoiler-light)

The story is set in 1972. The game is linear with branches in how you solve scenes.

Part 1: Prison

• Leo and Vincent meet in prison and are pushed together.
• Learn each other's plans: Leo wants out to get back at the man who betrayed him; Vincent has his own reason.
• You gather tools, cause distractions, and learn the guards' routines.
• Tips: explore the yard and common areas for optional interactions and minigames. The escape requires both of you to cover for each other.

Part 2: The Escape

• A multi-stage breakout through the prison, followed by a chase.
• Expect climbing together, sneaking past guards, and a hectic pursuit sequence.
• Tip: coordinate out loud: count down before joint actions.

Part 3: On the Run

• The pair evades police through the countryside.
• You travel through rivers, forests and small settlements, finding transport and supplies.
• Look for optional things to do; for example, helping fix a bike earns "Backseat Mechanic".

Part 4: Family

• Each character reconnects with family: Leo with his wife Linda and son Alex, Vincent with his wife Carol.
• These are slower, character-driven chapters with many optional interactions and minigames. Explore everything here; several achievements are in these areas.

Part 5: Revenge

• Leo and Vincent track down people tied to the crime boss Harvey.
• Combat, stealth and driving escalate. Choices about loud or quiet approaches return.

Part 6: Mexico and the Finale (major spoilers)

• The hunt for Harvey leads to Mexico.
• The final assault is on Harvey's mansion in Mexico.
• A major twist changes everything between the two leads (it is revealed Vincent is an undercover FBI agent, and his brother Gary's death was tied to the sting).
• The climax forces a confrontation between Leo and Vincent; the players decide the outcome through gameplay, and only one character survives. The survivor visits the other's family in the epilogue.

Background: Leo and Harvey stole the Black Orlov diamond together before Harvey betrayed him. Vincent was a banker Harvey forced to launder money, then framed for murdering his brother Gary.

Minigames and Side Activities

• Arm wrestling and other competitive mini-contests between the two players.
• Baseball: batting with a friend (Home Run achievement).
• Basketball shootouts.
• Connect Four and other board-game style interactions.
• Video game: playing one together earns "Break From Reality".
• Fishing and other quiet activities in the travel and family chapters.

Competitive minigames keep score between you; they are a big part of the fun.

Achievements (Steam)

The Steam version has 14 achievements, and none is simply for finishing a chapter. They come from optional interactions, which is why even the most common is held by only about half of players. Percentages are Steam global unlock rates at the time of research.

Achievement | Description / tip | Players

Backseat Mechanic | "You helped fix the bike." | ~53%

Freedom | "You freed someone from captivity." | ~44%

Break From Reality | "You played a videogame with a friend." | ~34%

Home Run | "You are clearly good with a bat." | ~24%

No Cheating | "You exposed some infidelity." | ~13%

You Started It | Hidden description; tied to an optional interaction | ~12%

Mayday! | "You almost took to the skies." | ~9%

The Dip | Hidden description | ~9%

Take It For A Spin | Hidden description | ~8%

In Sync | Hidden description | ~7%

Take A Breather | Hidden description | ~4%

Timeless Treasure | Hidden description | ~4%

Live the Dream | Hidden description | ~4%

Managed Anger | Hidden description; the rarest | ~3%

Because each achievement is a single optional moment, check a spoiler guide per chapter if you want all 14 in one run; otherwise use chapter select afterward.

How to get them all: interact with every highlighted object, try every minigame, and use chapter select for anything you missed. Talking to NPCs and doing optional activities in the prison and family chapters is where most rare ones hide.

Co-op Playbook

A Way Out is only as smooth as your communication. Habits that make the whole run better:

• Call out your screen. Say what you see ("guard walking left", "there is a wrench on the bench") because your partner cannot always read your half at a glance.
• Count down every joint action. Boosts, back-to-back climbs, rowing and synchronized takedowns all go faster with a spoken "three, two, one".
• Split roles in distraction scenes. Decide up front who talks and who sneaks. The talker should keep the NPC busy until the sneaker confirms they are done.
• Discuss choices before pressing anything. At Leo/Vincent decision points, agree first; it avoids one player feeling railroaded and makes the second playthrough (with the other choices) more interesting.
• Let the other player enjoy their scene. Several family and dialogue moments put one character in focus. Do not rush the other player to hurry up.
• Take breaks between chapters. Chapter select means you lose nothing by stopping at a natural breakpoint.

Setup Troubleshooting

Problem | What to check

Friend cannot join online | Both players signed in to linked EA accounts; the owner hosts the session

Remote Play Together lag | The host's upload speed matters most; use a wired connection and lower the stream quality in Steam if needed

Second controller not detected in local play | Connect it before launching the game and check Steam Input settings

EA client prompts on launch | Expected: the Steam version requires EA's client software and an EA account

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Watching only your own half of the screen.
• Rushing past optional interactions and missing achievements.
• Not agreeing on the Leo/Vincent choice before committing.
• Playing on keyboard for the driving-heavy parts if a controller is available.
• Buying a second copy before trying Remote Play Together or the Friend's Pass.
• Starting a session without both players' EA/Steam accounts linked and updated.

Advanced Tips

• Chapter select lets you replay individual chapters to try the other approach or catch missed achievements.
• Swap characters on a second run. Seeing the other perspective changes how scenes feel.
• Use voice chat. Many sequences are much smoother with a countdown.
• Treat the finale seriously. The last fight is a real contest between players.

FAQ

Can I play A Way Out solo? No. It requires two players, locally or online.

Does my friend need to buy the game? Not necessarily. On Steam, Remote Play Together lets a non-owner play with the owner. The Friend's Pass is the other free option for joining an owner online; confirm it is available on your store first.

Is it cross-platform? Friend's Pass works within a platform family; do not plan on crossplay between PC and consoles.

How long is it? It is a compact campaign most pairs finish over one or two evenings; add time if you hunt every optional interaction.

Is it connected to It Takes Two or Split Fiction? Only by studio. They are separate stories from Hazelight.

Are there multiple endings? The final confrontation determines which of the two survives.

Sources

• A Way Out on Steam
• A Way Out — Wikipedia
• A Way Out Steam achievements