You’re sitting on the couch, second controller in hand, ready to break out of a 1970s prison with a buddy. But then you see it—the label on the box or the digital storefront. The A Way Out rating isn't just a random letter or number assigned by a bored committee. It’s a massive neon sign telling you exactly what kind of grit, grime, and emotional trauma you’re about to sign up for.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a weird one.
When Hazelight Studios released this back in 2018, people were mostly talking about the "Friends Pass" and the fact that you literally cannot play it alone. But if you’re a parent trying to figure out if your teenager can handle it, or a gamer who isn't into certain types of "adult" content, that Mature rating carries a lot of weight. We aren't talking about cartoon violence here. We’re talking about a game that leans hard into its cinematic inspirations—think The Shawshank Redemption meets The Rock, but with more swearing.
What the ESRB Rating Actually Says
In North America, the A Way Out rating is M for Mature. This is the standard "17+" tag. According to the ESRB, the content descriptors include blood, intense violence, pervasive strong language, and some sexual themes.
It’s intense.
The game doesn't shy away from the reality of being a fugitive. You aren't just jumping over crates; you’re engaging in prison brawls that feel heavy and desperate. One minute you’re playing a mini-game of horseshoes, and the next, you’re witnessing a scene that feels like it was ripped straight out of a Scorsese flick. The language is probably the most "constant" element. Leo, one of the two protagonists, has a mouth that would make a sailor blush. It isn't just the occasional "damn." It’s a steady stream of F-bombs that ground the story in a very specific, gritty reality.
The European Perspective: PEGI 18
Over in Europe, the PEGI system is even more restrictive. They gave it a PEGI 18 rating. Why the jump? Often, PEGI is a bit more sensitive to "gross-out" violence or very specific depictions of criminal techniques. In A Way Out, there are moments of interrogation and torture that are... uncomfortable. You aren't just watching it happen; as the player, you are the one pulling the triggers or making the choices that lead to these outcomes.
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That interactivity changes things.
When you see a movie character do something bad, you’re a spectator. When Josef Fares (the game's director) forces you to push a button to shock someone or threaten them, the "weight" of that rating feels much heavier. It’s why the A Way Out rating stays at the top tier of maturity rankings.
Breaking Down the Violence and Gore
Is it a gore-fest? Not really. It isn’t Mortal Kombat.
But the violence is "impactful." When a character gets shot, it matters. There is blood, but it isn’t stylized or "fun" blood. It’s messy. There’s a particular scene involving a construction site and a chase that involves some pretty high-stakes falls and physical trauma. If you’re sensitive to realistic depictions of injury, this is your warning.
- The Hospital Scene: One of the most famous sequences involves a stealthy escape through a hospital. While not "violent" in the traditional sense, the tension is suffocating.
- The Shootouts: Later in the game, the mechanics shift toward a third-person shooter. While the gunplay is competent, the bodies don't disappear instantly like in an old arcade game. It feels like a heist movie gone wrong.
Language and Sexual Themes
Let’s talk about the "Sexual Themes" part of the A Way Out rating. It’s pretty mild compared to something like The Witcher or Cyberpunk 2077. There’s a scene early on in the prison showers—every prison movie has one—where you see some partial nudity (mostly butts, let's be real). There’s also a scene in a trailer park that implies sexual activity, but it’s mostly there for character development rather than titillation.
The language, though? That’s where the "Mature" tag really earns its keep.
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Leo and Vincent are not polite men. They are desperate men. The dialogue reflects a level of stress and anger that feels authentic to their situation. If you are playing this in a living room with younger siblings around, you’re going to want headphones. There is no "family-friendly" filter here.
Why This Specific Rating Matters for the Co-op Experience
The A Way Out rating actually dictates the tone of the friendship you build with your co-op partner. Because the game deals with heavy themes—betrayal, family abandonment, the systemic failure of the justice system—it needs that M rating to have any teeth.
Imagine this game with a T for Teen rating.
It would feel hollow. You’d be breaking out of a "PG" prison where the guards are just slightly mean and everyone says "heck." By leaning into the M rating, Hazelight was able to tell a story that actually has an ending that sticks with you. And without spoiling it, the ending is the reason the rating is so high. It requires a level of emotional maturity to process what the game asks you to do to your real-life friend sitting next to you.
Comparing A Way Out to "It Takes Two"
It’s impossible to talk about the A Way Out rating without mentioning Fares’ follow-up hit, It Takes Two. That game is rated E10+.
The difference is staggering.
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While It Takes Two has some dark humor (the elephant scene... if you know, you know), it’s wrapped in a Pixar-style aesthetic. A Way Out is the opposite. It is brown, grey, and blue. It is rainy and cold. If you’re coming from It Takes Two expecting another whimsical adventure, the A Way Out rating is your first hint that you are in for a very different, much darker ride.
Actionable Steps for Players and Parents
If you are looking at the A Way Out rating and trying to decide if you should hit "buy," here is the reality check you need:
1. Check the "Couch Factor"
If you’re playing with a partner, make sure you’re both okay with heavy themes. This isn't a "relaxing" game. It’s a "stressful conversation" game.
2. Evaluate Your Tolerance for Profanity
If you’re okay with HBO-style dialogue, you’re fine. If you prefer your games to be cleaner, skip this one. The dialogue is baked into the experience.
3. Don't Let the Rating Scare You Off the Story
While it is an M-rated game, it isn't "mindless." The rating exists to protect the integrity of a very specific, grounded narrative. It uses its maturity to explore the concept of trust in a way that few other games have ever attempted.
4. Use the Friends Pass
Since the game requires two people, remember that only one of you needs to own it. The "Friends Pass" allows the second player to join for free. This makes the "risk" of the rating lower—if your buddy hates the intensity, they haven't spent any money on it.
The A Way Out rating serves as a boundary. It tells you that this is a game for adults who want to explore a cinematic, often heartbreaking story about two men with nothing left to lose. It’s raw, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetically mature. Check the rating, understand the content, and then find a friend you trust—because you’re going to need them.
Actionable Next Step: Before you start the game, go into the audio settings and ensure your "Dialogue" volume is balanced. The voice acting is the core of the experience, and some of the more intense, high-rated moments happen during hushed conversations that can be drowned out by the (admittedly excellent) 70s-style soundtrack. If you're sensitive to specific triggers like domestic distress or betrayal, keep in mind that the game's final act leans heavily into these emotional spaces.