Outlast Review
Outlast is a first-Person Survival horror game developed and published by Red Barrels released on September 4, 2013, pm Microsoft Windows and later ported to all mainline consoles. The game follows a freelance investigative journalist, Miles Upshur, who gets a tip on brutal and horrific things going on at Mount Massive Asylum. Miles is equipped with a camera, with night vision, and is not a fighter. If he is spotted, he must run and hide in order to proceed further into the game.
This game is based around stealth mechanics and puzzle solving. Throughout the game there are many parts of the game where the player must sneak around the enemies in the dark trying to figure out where to go. Mile’s camera can be turned on and off to record clues and gather information but zooming in and out and using the night vision feature. The camera’s battery will deplete the more it is used so it must be used sparingly. While sneaking around there are items that can be picked up in the form of batteries and documents that explain more of the backstory to this Asylum.
There are objectives that Miles is given throughout the game which are often simple tasks that include reaching specific destinations or turning specific objects on in order to progress. Some of these tasks get old and it feels like you are going to redo the same objective but Outlast does a great job of adding a different element each time to make it more difficult and scary like adding more enemies that you must avoid or having a creepy setting like a cellar. To elaborate on this, throughout the game there were multiple instances where the player must turn on the power, unlock security doors, and things like this. Each time the player reaches the objective there is a problem that leads to another object. These objectives follow the same pattern of; in order to turn this on you must turn on the other two switches first. You can see these objectives coming before you even get the switches or generators.
For those looking to play a horror game because they enjoy jump scares and having their adrenal going. When walking around the areas there are many things that the developers added to the game to increase the fear. There are instances when you are walking down the halls and doors will slam shut or the lights will flicker. Beyond every corner there is potential for an enemy to jump out and scare you.
To add to the visually scarry things that this game features the audio is equal to if not scarier. When walking around trying to solve objectives there is no background music. The only things that you can hear are your player, the enemies you are hiding from. You can hear very clearly the enemies' opening doors, checking under beds and interreacting with the world. If you are spotted the enemy will yell at you at a high volume and intense music will start playing. This music will definitely get your blood boiling when you're running away from enemies.
Outlast is one of the best horror games that has been released. For those who are into the horror genre but are not looking for an action game like Resident Evil, Outlast is a game worth checking out. It is packed with jump scares, creepy sounds/visual effects and an interesting story. This game will definitely get your nerves going with every step you take.
