In 2018, developer Hazelight Studios captivated audiences with A Way Out, a cooperative, story-driven game that broke the mold with its split-screen mechanics and emotionally rich narrative. Designed to be experienced by two players together, either locally or online, this unique title stood out for its dedication to teamwork, puzzle-solving, and interwoven character development. Since then, gamers have been searching for titles that capture a similar spirit of collaboration and immersive storytelling.
TL;DR – Top Games Like A Way Out
If you loved A Way Out for its co-op gameplay, cinematic storytelling, and emotional character arcs, you’re in luck. There are several standout games that offer gripping cooperative experiences and strong narrative elements. While no game replicates A Way Out exactly, some come close by emphasizing teamwork, unique mechanics, and memorable narratives. Read on for a curated list of games that will scratch that same itch with varying genres and themes.
1. It Takes Two
It would be impossible to discuss alternatives to A Way Out without immediately mentioning It Takes Two. Developed by the same studio, Hazelight, and directed by the ever-enthusiastic Josef Fares, this game improves on the cooperative formula with even more variety and inventive gameplay mechanics. You and your partner embody Cody and May, a divorcing couple trapped in doll-sized versions of themselves, forced to collaborate through a magical adventure to mend their relationship.
The game is crafted completely for two players with split-screen and online cooperative gameplay. Every level introduces fresh mechanics, from reversing time to gravity manipulation, ensuring the experience stays dynamic and thrilling throughout. With its emotional depth, quirky humor, and beautiful environments, it’s a must-play for fans of A Way Out.
2. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Before A Way Out, Josef Fares gave us Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, a heartfelt single-player experience that still emphasizes cooperation — but with one twist. Instead of two players, you control both brothers simultaneously using a single controller: one analog stick and trigger per character. It’s a fusion of co-op design and solo play that tells a deeply emotional tale of loss, courage, and familial bonds.
Although not a multiplayer game, Brothers shares a creative DNA with A Way Out: a passion for innovative storytelling and unique game mechanics. Additionally, you can now play an updated version of the game with two players, making it an even better fit for fans looking to co-op.
3. We Were Here Series
If you enjoy communication-heavy puzzle solving with a partner, the We Were Here series might just be your next obsession. Developed by Total Mayhem Games, each title in the series drops two players into mysterious environments like frozen castles and eerie planets. The twist? Each player sees a different part of the environment and must relay information to navigate and solve puzzles.
Teamwork is critical, and the game encourages players to use voice chat to deduce clues and decipher riddles. Its minimalist design and audio-only communication add intensity and immersion that fans of A Way Out will appreciate.
4. Portal 2 (Co-Op Mode)
While Portal 2 is best known for its mind-bending single-player puzzles, it also features a dedicated co-op campaign that stands out as one of the genre’s finest. You and a friend play as two charming robots named Atlas and P-Body. Your mission? Use the iconic portal gun to manipulate space and solve increasingly complex 3D puzzles.
The split-level logic and communication requirements make the co-op mode a pure test of cooperation. Add in Valve’s excellent writing and memorable characters like GLaDOS, and you get an unforgettable slice of co-op perfection.
5. The Dark Pictures Anthology
If you loved the cinematic and narrative-driven aspects of A Way Out, you’ll find a lot to love in the Dark Pictures Anthology by Supermassive Games. Every game in this anthology—from Man of Medan to House of Ashes—offers shared-screen and online play where decisions affect the story and characters’ fates.
You can play with a friend in “Shared Story” mode, each controlling different characters, making choices that ripple and build tension. With horror themes, branching narratives, and dramatic cinematics, it’s a gripping experience filled with player agency and consequence.
6. Unravel Two
Unravel Two is a picturesque side-scroller that revolves around two adorable yarn creatures connected by a single thread. Together, they overcome threats from both nature and emotional turmoil. Unlike the original Unravel, this sequel was designed with co-op in mind, offering the option for two players to journey together through vivid, handcrafted landscapes.
The game’s focus is less on dialogue or story exposition and more on emotional storytelling through music and visuals. If you liked the quieter character development moments in A Way Out, this game offers similar emotional resonance.
7. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
If you’re looking for something that challenges communication under pressure, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes delivers high-octane tension and hilarious mishaps. One player is tasked with defusing a complicated bomb, while the other reads a bomb-defusal manual. The catch? The players can’t see each other’s screens.
The game turns cooperative play into a chaotic puzzle-solving experience that hinges entirely on communication and teamwork. While not narrative-driven like A Way Out, the sense of shared responsibility and stress is strikingly similar.
8. Army of Two Series
For those craving intense action and military bromance, look no further than the Army of Two series. These third-person shooters are built entirely for two-player co-op, putting you and your partner in the boots of private military contractors navigating warzones worldwide.
With mechanics like back-to-back shooting, co-op sniping, and partner revival, the game thrives on interdependence. The narrative may not reach A Way Out levels of emotional complexity, but it delivers the same spirit of brotherhood and shared obstacle overcoming.
9. LEGO Video Game Series (Co-Op Titles)
While not as emotionally intense or cinematic as A Way Out, the co-op-focused LEGO video games can still scratch that cooperative itch—especially if you’re looking for family-friendly fare. From LEGO Star Wars to LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, these games feature charming humor, simple mechanics, and puzzle-solving that’s just as fun solo as it is with a friend.
Split-screen co-op allows each player to explore, solve, and fight side by side in expansive worlds filled with collectibles, mini-games, and Easter eggs. Perfect for casual gamers or to enjoy with kids or less experienced partners.
10. The Past Within
A unique, time-based puzzle game built from the ground up for two players, The Past Within by Rusty Lake places each player in a different timeline—one in the past, the other in the future. Communication and out-of-the-box thinking are vital as each person must solve puzzles that affect the other’s reality.
With its eerie atmosphere and clever design, The Past Within feels like a spiritual cousin to the emotionally and mechanically intertwined experience of A Way Out. It’s short, sweet, and endlessly clever.
Final Thoughts
A Way Out resonated with gamers for its innovative two-player experience, story-driven gameplay, and emotional resonance. While replicating its magic isn’t easy, numerous games come close by focusing on puzzles, co-op action, or strong narratives. Whether you’re in the mood for tear-jerking emotion like in Brothers or high-speed communication drama like Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, there’s something out there for every co-op enthusiast.
So grab a friend, pick your next game, and get ready to embark on a new shared journey filled with adventure, emotion, and most importantly—team
