WHAT TO EXPECT from Outlast

A painless guide on what to expect from Outlast

What to Expect

Outlast is the first game Red Barrels has ever made. Its also a horror game. I dont see many horror games from new developers become something, or make a name for themselves in the big span of things. I usually play something like this, and in a week from when i played it, i would forget all about it. Surprisingly, thats not the case for Outlast. I will remember this game as a game that i throughly enjoyed and found that i would come home, ridiculously excited to play this game. There was a charm about the whole game, start to finish, that i really loved. Now, Outlast is the first game made by Red Barrels, but that doesnt mean they are an indie developer. In fact, the 3 co-founders all came from either Ubisoft or EA. So they definitely have experience with the gaming industry and know how to make an impact and where to start. Outlast is a good survival horror game that meats the needs of what i was expecting for sure, but it has its ups and downs.



Since im a negative person, i like to start with the "downs". The first thing that comes to mind is the repition. None of my friends have noticed this until i said it, and now they cant stop thinking about it when they play. How many times did you climb through a vent? Or hide in a locker? Or under a bed? Or squeesed through the tiny space in the walls? Or just run into a dark spot KNOWING you would be totally fine because hes not going to check in the dark spot in the corner? Yeah, apparently all the NPC's are afraid of the dark. I found myself, when i was stuck, just looking up at the ceiling, and theyre laid all my solutions. There was literally a vent or ladder to proceed in EVERY room/section. Seriously, how many ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ vents are open and smashed in? How many walls coincidently have a crevice that you can fit through? I found myself drawn out of the experience by all of the repition. They were very good gimicks though, ill give Red Barrels that. Seeing the character squeeze through the little "hole-in-the-wall" was quite pleasing in the trailer for some strange reason.



So basically my biggest problem with the game was the repition. But i also had a little problem with the NPC's. Im sure a lot of people found the NPC's fine, lacking much problems at all, but i tend to dislike NPC's in most games i play. Im very sinical, and tell the NPC's how stupid they are while i play the game in pretty much every game i play (im also psychotic because i talk to NPC's). In Outlast, ill admit that the NPC's werent half bad, but me being me, i still found a problem. Like i said earlier, the NPC's are afraid of the dark. If i was being chased (and yes im talking about that ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ hallway when the doctor is everywhere at once), i would just run all the way to the back where a dark corner is and hide and the NPC would literally check everywhere BUT the dark corner where i was. Basically, they were very idiotic NPC's most of the time, but they had their moments.


No i did not like the ending, but im rooting for a sequel or DLC to explain what happened to me, so that is why its not one of my big problems in Outlast. So dont ask.



Most of the problems i had with Outlast where deeper into the game mechanics, but at first glance, this is the most beautiful game ive seen since Bioshock; Infinite. Everything about this game was just gorgeous, in the most unusual way. There always an abundance of objects to see in every room, in fact, i feel like playing it sometimes because i feel like i will find things i didnt see the first time through. Every roome i walked into i found something insteresting, and each room had a different feel. One would be composed entirely of human organs and blood, and the next would be this well-kept bedroom with a teddybear on the nightstand. The detail and the variety (ironic from the first topic i discussed) of this mansion was incredible.

Also very positive; Outlast was surely a horror game. There is no mistake in that. Where as the in-game depth (such as eerie noices and crackling footsteps) i did not find as prevalent in this as i did Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, this certainly had the scares to back up their trailer. I cant tell you how many times i was chased in this game, having no clue where i was going, just continuously running. Or when you had to sneak past one of the monsters, and you were so clue to completeing it and out of nowhere he finds you and you have to run for the hills, hoping youll make it without him grabbing you. While you were much faster than the FatMen, it was still a good scare to keep you on your toes. I felt like this game had some predicted, yet still frightening jump scares as well which i dont find much anymore. You can tell that this game was definitely heavily influinced by Amnesia: The Dark Descent.

It might be weird that im going to mention Mirror's Edge in this review, but if you've played ME (Mirror's Edge) and Outlast, you'll know why im saying this. Outlast is Amnesia: The Dark Descent meets Mirror's Edge. During the countless numbers of exhilarating chases, there are many obstacles in your way such as a large gap to jump, or crates stacked up to free-flowingly hop over. Most of these parkour-like moves were smooth and had very little disruptance or lag while jumping over, at least on my computer. This alongside the ability to peer over your shoulder while sprinting (WHICH WAS LITERALLY ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF THIS GAME, AND SOMETHING IVE BEEN WANTING IN A GAME LIKE THIS FOR A LONG TIME) made terrifying chases quite enjoyable and challenging to judge where to go next while being chased.

Imagine Outlast WITHOUT the high-tech video camera. Can you? This is probably the biggest claim-to-fame that the game has, and it will definitely live up to your expectations. Its runs so smoothly that im genuinly surprised it looks so realistic. It sure beats the hell out of walking around with a flashlight just like every other survival horror game.

The story in Outlast was quite simple, yet pleasing. Basically, without spoiling anything (not much to spoil with that ending), you're a journalist who winds up in this creepy, over-sized mansion with little knowledge of what happened inside. Thats pretty much all i know with the story since the ending was so ridiculous i couldnt comprehend what was happening else where.

The disturbing parts of Outlast are something i found so rare in survival horror games since i played Dead Space which was a long time ago. Dead Space had those moments when you saw people turn psychotic right in front of your eyes. That unforgettable moment in the first one where you walk up a hallway and see the guy just banging his head against the wall. That is what im talking about. Since then, i had yet to find a scripted horror game like it that had those elements, until i played Outlast. In some ways, Outlast is even more outspoken in it's Insanity factor since the building you're in is a "loonie-bin". If you've played or seen someone play Outlast, im sure you remember "Down the Drain" because i sure as hell do. So, on that topic, all i'll say is "Down the Drain, Down the Drain".

Verdict

*Expect to be greeted by handsome creatures a lot
*Expect to be chased a lot
*Expect to see gorgeous sceneries
*Expect a good amount of exploration and exploration value
*Expect very surprising twists (whether you like them or not)
*Expect insane people very excited to see you
*Expect beautiful graphics from the camcorder
*Dont expect the smartest NPC's ever
*Dont expect a different way out a situation, instead look up at the ceiling, im sure you'll find the way to the next area by doing that
*Expect over-used game mechanics
*Dont expect to fight the creatures, all you should being is getting your ass outtah there!
*Expect cool parkour mechanics added
*Expect a satisfiyingly simple story

Conclusion

Outlast is a wonderful game. Its satisfying and terrifying, what else can you ask for in a survival horror game? This game recieved a lot of hate, and i understand the arguements since no game can live in gamer-harmony, but why not just admit a win when you see it? This game was more than i expected and was a blast to play. I cant quite figure out why people hated it so much, but maybe one day i'll understand. I loved the scenery, the camcorder, and psychotic feel of the entire place and the creatures who call it home. Of course there were some problems for me like the repetitive gameplay mechanics throughout the game and the NPC's, but overall i could not say that those problems out weighed the enjoyment i recieved by playing this game. It was a solid survival horror game and definitely a good starter for Red Barrels with some good, new cards to bring to the table.

[natknut]

The only thing I don't like is the character's hitbox. IT IS TOO BIG!!! Evident when you try to enter the small security post at the begining, which is way too difficult an angle to get, and when trying to avoid enemeies. YOU GET STUCK ON EVERYTHING!!!. It is just plain bad design in that regard, but otherwise I am liking it.

[marlonlima1502]

Fantastic this game.

[The Gastronaut]

The game is scary as fuck. Dat first jumpscare tho o-o (The one where you open the door before the guy with a spear in him)

[Geez3r]

Good review! I just got it on sale for $7, and played it for an hour or so. I like the twist that I can't fight at all (never, ever seen that in a survival horror before). The mark of a good horror game is the feeling of unease and this definietly has that. Looking forward to seeing where this macabre journey goes. Thanks for the spoiler-free review!

[| 🐲 ⟩⟨ 🐲 | vox ⟩]

I know this is nit-picking, but it isn't a mansion. Its Mount Massive Asylum for the Criminally Insane

[BanzaiBonsai]

I liked the game, but it missed a few marks. There were a few lazy design choices, a few needless jump scares. The story's mainly told through easily missable notes and documents, and as I missed some notes and documents it didn't make a lot of bloody sense (especially the ending). With that said, I would call it a good game with what it did right. It stacks up to Amnesia, although I'm not sure whether it's better or worse.

[[TS] Pablo]

As long as you've paid your child support to the Government, i say buy it because its a great game to enjoy, although short.

[Saelem]

Love it, thinking about buying it.. little skeptic. should i just say screw it and throw the cash at it?

[ecophobic]

Nice article. Although 'sinical' is spelled 'cynical'. This game is scary as hell but keeps me coming back.