Should I refund it?

[Bane]

I like every outlast game without hesitation. I bought Outlast Trials in sales. But I thought there was a story mode in the game, but I guess there isn't. It progresses in coop/online mode with only quests and the number of players in the game seems low. Most of lobbies I played looks empty. $7 is a cheap price, but it seemed unnecessary for a game I can't play. Should I refund it before the 2 hours?

[D]

They should implement a Quick Match filter for all difficulties, sometimes there's a ton of people playing but on Insane/psycho., while no one on Easy/Standard, so new players might be stranded alone thinking there's no one. The game is lively with good community, but highly depends on time of the day, etc.
So don't be afraid to be a new player joining higher difficulties if you cannot find any groups, think experienced players don't really care about that and understand.
It's mainly a co-op multiplayer experience (a la rogue-extraction style), there is a story (well written too) but not in a "linear" tell-tale.

[Bluejazz]

I'm considering getting this game being a big fan of the first two outlast games, but i'm concerned the single player mode isn't as good. I don't know about story mode, but from what i understand you can play solo.

by the way, were did you buy it for only $7?

[Keidn]

It's up to you. You might want to play this Outlast, as the gameplay here is the best in the series. If you think that at some point you'll want to enjoy the kind of gameplay that this game offers, then why not keep it? But on the other hand, no one is stopping you from returning it now, saving your money, and in the future, if they make a good update with a single player story, buy it again.

[Bane]

Originally posted by Bluejazz:

I'm considering getting this game being a big fan of the first two outlast games, but i'm concerned the single player mode isn't as good. I don't know about story mode, but from what i understand you can play solo.

by the way, were did you buy it for only $7?

I bought 7.5*$ on Steam, regoinal pricing I think

[Keidn]

Originally posted by Bluejazz:

I'm considering getting this game being a big fan of the first two outlast games, but i'm concerned the single player mode isn't as good. I don't know about story mode, but from what i understand you can play solo.

by the way, were did you buy it for only $7?

This game can be played solo without any problems, but how much you like it depends on what you expect from it.
Outlast Trials has the best gameplay. There are a lot of mechanics, a variety of locations, lots of enemy variations, progression and customization of your character, a lot of documents and lore, and many other new things. But there's almost no story here, except for the first few minutes of the game, when you have to complete the tutorial. For the rest, you're on your own, going through all kinds of trials, from the evil Murkoff Corporation, until you reach one of several endings.
If you're looking for an experience like the previous Outlast 1 and 2, where you'll be led through linear locations with a story, then you're probably not going to find much to like here.
But if you like Outlast universe itself, its lore, atmosphere, and also if you like more free gameplay, where you are not led along scripted corridors and you like to explore locations on your own, then you may like the game.

[Bluejazz]

Originally posted by Keidn:

Originally posted by Bluejazz:

I'm considering getting this game being a big fan of the first two outlast games, but i'm concerned the single player mode isn't as good. I don't know about story mode, but from what i understand you can play solo.

by the way, were did you buy it for only $7?

This game can be played solo without any problems, but how much you like it depends on what you expect from it.
Outlast Trials has the best gameplay. There are a lot of mechanics, a variety of locations, lots of enemy variations, progression and customization of your character, a lot of documents and lore, and many other new things. But there's almost no story here, except for the first few minutes of the game, when you have to complete the tutorial. For the rest, you're on your own, going through all kinds of trials, from the evil Murkoff Corporation, until you reach one of several endings.
If you're looking for an experience like the previous Outlast 1 and 2, where you'll be led through linear locations with a story, then you're probably not going to find much to like here.
But if you like Outlast universe itself, its lore, atmosphere, and also if you like more free gameplay, where you are not led along scripted corridors and you like to explore locations on your own, then you may like the game.

Thank you so much, this is the kind of info i've been searching for. I suppose less emphasis on story is not a deal breaker. I think my main concern is if there's a lack of progression. Just jumping from level to level with no context doing repetitive and arbitrary missions. Kind of like that terrible resident evil resistance game, i could not get into that at all and i love resident evil. So as long as it not like that i may enjoy it.

[Keidn]

Originally posted by Bluejazz:

Originally posted by Keidn:

This game can be played solo without any problems, but how much you like it depends on what you expect from it.
Outlast Trials has the best gameplay. There are a lot of mechanics, a variety of locations, lots of enemy variations, progression and customization of your character, a lot of documents and lore, and many other new things. But there's almost no story here, except for the first few minutes of the game, when you have to complete the tutorial. For the rest, you're on your own, going through all kinds of trials, from the evil Murkoff Corporation, until you reach one of several endings.
If you're looking for an experience like the previous Outlast 1 and 2, where you'll be led through linear locations with a story, then you're probably not going to find much to like here.
But if you like Outlast universe itself, its lore, atmosphere, and also if you like more free gameplay, where you are not led along scripted corridors and you like to explore locations on your own, then you may like the game.

Thank you so much, this is the kind of info i've been searching for. I suppose less emphasis on story is not a deal breaker. I think my main concern is if there's a lack of progression. Just jumping from level to level with no context doing repetitive and arbitrary missions. Kind of like that terrible resident evil resistance game, i could not get into that at all and i love resident evil. So as long as it not like that i may enjoy it.

You're welcome.
There is actually a progression here, but it's quite unusual. At this point, your character really doesn't have much weight in the story, but the plot does unfold. The path of your Reagent (“reagent” is the name of your character) somehow ends with one of several endings, and as time goes on, there are more and more endings. There are characters, there are events, there are changes and other things that developers add with every patch and update. When the game's early access started it was 1959 in game, at this point it's already 1960, and during that year there have been events in the Outlast Trials universe. This is reflected in new notes, new character quotes, location changes, official comics on the developer's website, and from what I understand, there will soon be in-game events that push the story forward of Outlast Trials. It's probably not the best way to develop the story, but I respect that the developers are trying, even explaining balance changes through in-game notes. Devs know that people want a story and they will most likely make something.
As for the gameplay. It's basically some kind of amoral trials from Murkoff from which your Reagent must learn some kind of twisted lesson. It does feel like jumping from level to level, but in the context of the events of the game, it looks very organic.
There have been some weighty developments in the story so far and the community is waiting until March 25 to get an update that will push the story forward.

[Bane]

Originally posted by Keidn:

Originally posted by Bluejazz:

I'm considering getting this game being a big fan of the first two outlast games, but i'm concerned the single player mode isn't as good. I don't know about story mode, but from what i understand you can play solo.

by the way, were did you buy it for only $7?

This game can be played solo without any problems, but how much you like it depends on what you expect from it.
Outlast Trials has the best gameplay. There are a lot of mechanics, a variety of locations, lots of enemy variations, progression and customization of your character, a lot of documents and lore, and many other new things. But there's almost no story here, except for the first few minutes of the game, when you have to complete the tutorial. For the rest, you're on your own, going through all kinds of trials, from the evil Murkoff Corporation, until you reach one of several endings.
If you're looking for an experience like the previous Outlast 1 and 2, where you'll be led through linear locations with a story, then you're probably not going to find much to like here.
But if you like Outlast universe itself, its lore, atmosphere, and also if you like more free gameplay, where you are not led along scripted corridors and you like to explore locations on your own, then you may like the game.

I didn't know that the missions played in coop could also be played solo. I mean, I thought it was impossible to complete the missions alone. At that time, I gave up on refunding it, I want to continue if I can play by myself. Because I saw that there is a one year anniversary event in the game and I like doing things like that.

[Keidn]

Originally posted by Bane:

Originally posted by Keidn:

This game can be played solo without any problems, but how much you like it depends on what you expect from it.
Outlast Trials has the best gameplay. There are a lot of mechanics, a variety of locations, lots of enemy variations, progression and customization of your character, a lot of documents and lore, and many other new things. But there's almost no story here, except for the first few minutes of the game, when you have to complete the tutorial. For the rest, you're on your own, going through all kinds of trials, from the evil Murkoff Corporation, until you reach one of several endings.
If you're looking for an experience like the previous Outlast 1 and 2, where you'll be led through linear locations with a story, then you're probably not going to find much to like here.
But if you like Outlast universe itself, its lore, atmosphere, and also if you like more free gameplay, where you are not led along scripted corridors and you like to explore locations on your own, then you may like the game.

I didn't know that the missions played in coop could also be played solo. I mean, I thought it was impossible to complete the missions alone. At that time, I gave up on refunding it, I want to continue if I can play by myself. Because I saw that there is a one year anniversary event in the game and I like doing things like that.

Yes, you can play the missions alone or in a group of 2 to 4 people. The difficulty of the missions will be adjusted to the number of players. The only thing that will not be available when playing alone is cooperative actions, like climbing heights together. But such cooperative interactions are not something important or something you can't do without.

[Mewsha]

I think you'd be missing out on a ton of really good lore if you skipped this game.

I'm actually on the opposite end of the spectrum. I played Outlast when it first came out. I thought it was fine, and then I played the second game, didn't like it at all. Eventually I read the comics and was very impressed by them.

I wasn't sure I would like this game, but it being a prequel and set in the early days of Murkoff sold it for me. Red Barrels also published the original six issue comic run that I thought was brilliant.

I like that Red Barrels isn't afraid to explore a Murkoff in the Cold War era. They don't shy away from it either with endings that are direct references to real or alleged covert operations that were ongoing at the time. I won't spoil more than that, but you get the idea with Outlast in general being inspired by MKUltra/MKNAOMI.

The parapolitics is the most interesting part of the Outlast series for me, so to see it implemented this well is a treat. It's also something I don't think any other game has managed. It's even more surprising that a multiplayer focused game managed it.

If you can't play this game for whatever reason, or you like lore to be concise like in a traditional story game, then there's a ton of Youtube channels that cover the lore we're given in this game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HnIEvbYfSg

Here's just one example. There's also a comic series that is releasing along with the updates to this game on Red Barrels channel.

You can play this game solo, but I actually find it more immersive playing with others. It emphasizes the culling aspect that Murkoff is trying to implement, and honestly this game is just way too easy solo. There is one trial you must do solo though, and that's the rebirth program.

[Crylo]

Bought it now and been playing it with a buddy, quite fun but have someone with you, to be at the mercy of random lobbies and experienced players can hinder the experience.

[Bane]

Originally posted by Mewsha:

I think you'd be missing out on a ton of really good lore if you skipped this game.

I'm actually on the opposite end of the spectrum. I played Outlast when it first came out. I thought it was fine, and then I played the second game, didn't like it at all. Eventually I read the comics and was very impressed by them.

I wasn't sure I would like this game, but it being a prequel and set in the early days of Murkoff sold it for me. Red Barrels also published the original six issue comic run that I thought was brilliant.

I like that Red Barrels isn't afraid to explore a Murkoff in the Cold War era. They don't shy away from it either with endings that are direct references to real or alleged covert operations that were ongoing at the time. I won't spoil more than that, but you get the idea with Outlast in general being inspired by MKUltra/MKNAOMI.

The parapolitics is the most interesting part of the Outlast series for me, so to see it implemented this well is a treat. It's also something I don't think any other game has managed. It's even more surprising that a multiplayer focused game managed it.

If you can't play this game for whatever reason, or you like lore to be concise like in a traditional story game, then there's a ton of Youtube channels that cover the lore we're given in this game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HnIEvbYfSg

Here's just one example. There's also a comic series that is releasing along with the updates to this game on Red Barrels channel.

You can play this game solo, but I actually find it more immersive playing with others. It emphasizes the culling aspect that Murkoff is trying to implement, and honestly this game is just way too easy solo. There is one trial you must do solo though, and that's the rebirth program.

We share similar thoughts. I really liked the first Outlast game and its DLC. The second game was like a press shift and run game for me.

The concept of this game also appealed to me. I want to play it, but I don't want to depend on other players to be able to play the game. Being able to play solo is enough for me.

When I saw that the missions were also coop, I thought I couldn't do anything without my friend playing. Because there are live service events in the game, as far as I can see, and I want to play them too. In the messages above, they said that I could play those missions solo. I hope it's like he said, I decide to not refund it.