Do you need to buy 2 copies of A Way Out on Steam?
The short answer is no, you do not need two copies to play the co-op prison break adventure A Way Out with a friend on Steam. Thanks to the innovative Friends Pass system, only one person needs to own the full game.
How Does the A Way Out Friends Pass Work?
A Way Out developer Hazelight Studios implemented the Friends Pass to remove the barrier of both players needing to buy the game for its exclusively co-op experience.
- Player 1 purchases A Way Out for $29.99 USD on Steam
- Player 1 sends a game invite to Player 2 through Steam friend‘s list
- Player 2 finds A Way Out on Steam and downloads the Friends Pass Free Trial
- Both players can now play the entire cooperative adventure together
So Player 2 downloads what is essentially the full version of A Way Out, able to play all 5-7 hours of the cinematic campaign. But only Player 1 has actually paid for the game.
Friends Pass Co-Op Options
The Friends Pass works for:
- Online co-op over the internet
- Local couch co-op on one PC using Steam‘s remote play together
As long as one player has bought A Way Out, you can utilize the Friends Pass for the second player and dual prison escape adventure.
Is A Way Out Still Worth Playing in 2024?
Released in 2018 from the indie studio behind It Takes Two, A Way Out has continued to resonate as a memorable, linear cooperative experience.
It sold over 5 million copies in its first three years. And has a Metacritic score of 74 and Steam user score of Overwhelmingly Positive based on over 50,000 reviews.
A Way Out‘s Key Strengths:
- Innovative required-co-op mechanics
- Choice driven narrative with shocking twists
- Fun varied gameplay like stealth, driving, shooting sequences
- Cinematic split-screen presentation
- Raw emotional character-driven story
Developer Hazelight poured their efforts into crafting an experience that shines when played cooperatively with a friend. And critics praised this laser focus even in their mixed reviews.
For $29.99, no microtransactions, and the benefit of getting your co-op buddy in the game for free…A Way Out represents an outstanding value in the world of modern gaming.
How A Way Out Compares to Other Co-Op Focused Games on Steam:
| A Way Out | It Takes Two | Overcooked 2 | |
| Metacritic | 74 | 88 | 84 |
| Steam Reviews | Overwhelmingly Positive | Overwhelmingly Positive | Very Positive |
| Steam Player Count | 3,457 | 15,498 | 8,602 |
| Price | $29.99 | $39.99 | $24.99 |
| Co-op Players | 2 | 2 | 1-4 |
| Average Playtime | 6 hours | 12 hours | 12 hours |
As a narrative focused co-op game, A Way Out goes toe-to-toe in quality with the similarly acclaimed It Takes Two. And it represents a more digestible 6 hour commitment.
The Friends Pass system also makes it the most affordable option to play cooperatively with a friend out of these dedicated co-op experiences.
Getting Started with the A Way Out Friends Pass
- Purchase A Way Out – On Steam for $29.99. As the host you need the full game.
- Invite a Friend – Through Steam‘s friends list select invite friend on A Way Out.
- Friends Pass Download – They search "A Way Out" on Steam and select the Friends Pass Free Trial.
- Start Playing Together! – Both launch A Way Out and you‘ll be matched online or locally.
And remember, only Player 1 has paid for A Way Out in this scenario. Player 2 gains full access for free!
So gather your co-op buddy and escape prison together in this one-of-a-kind shared adventure without needing two copies. A Way Out and its Friends Pass continues to provide a compelling co-op experience in 2024.
