A way out - Invalid license. Reason code = Missing DLL: [XINPUT1_3.dll]

Hello everyone,

I bought "A Way Out" via Steam over on year ago. I played for few hour long time ago but now I'm back to continue whe I launch the game, I get the following error:

Invalid license. Reason code = Missing DLL: [XINPUT1_3.dll] Error: 0x7E

I am on a fresh installation of Windows 11, on recent hardware, completely up-to-date via Windows Update. 

I follow on the following similar issue but without results:  https://forums.ea.com/discussions/ea-originals-discussion-en/a-way-out---invalid-license-reason-code--missing-dll-xinput1-3-dll/7627028I

I also follow on the help sections and did the reinstalls and cleanups and what not. It looks like a EA bug. Steam doesn't want to refund my game and sends me to EA for a fix. However, I can't reach EA. Anybody knows a solution in this case or I have to give it up?

Kindly help

Thank you