Outlast

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 35,433 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Outlast Game Cover
Outlast is an amazing horror game and a great new addition to the PS4, and being introduced as free for Playstation Plus makes it a must have for anyone who is even considering owning it.
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"Outlast is a first-person survival horror game set in a remote mountain psychiatric hospital, re-opened by the Murkoff Corporation. Independent journalist Miles Upshur investigates, discovering a chilling blend of science and religion, facing supernatural forces and unhinged patients. To escape, Upshur must uncover the terrible truth at the asylum's core."

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Epic Games
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 35,433 reviews
story2,548 positive mentions
grinding118 negative mentions
  • story5,364 mentions

    The story of *Outlast* is a gripping and immersive narrative that follows journalist Miles Upshur as he investigates the dark secrets of Mount Massive Asylum, uncovering a tale of unethical experiments and madness. While the game effectively builds tension and horror through its atmosphere and character encounters, some players find the ending unsatisfying and the plot somewhat predictable, relying heavily on documents and notes for backstory. The *Whistleblower* DLC is highly recommended, as it expands on the main story and provides additional context, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “The story is engaging and unfolds in a way that keeps you eager to see what's next, without ever feeling like it's spoon-feeding you information.”
    • “The atmosphere is unmatched, and the story is as disturbing.”
    • “The story was kind of decent but not worth sitting through the boring gameplay; play Soma instead.”
    • “The plot unfolds through environmental storytelling, documents scattered throughout the asylum, and encounters with twisted characters who reveal bits and pieces of the backstory.”
    • “The story is not surprising; you know what has happened or will be happening quickly after playing for a while.”
  • gameplay2,745 mentions

    The gameplay of Outlast is characterized by its intense atmosphere and innovative mechanics, primarily focusing on stealth and evasion rather than combat. Players navigate a dark asylum using a camcorder with limited battery life, which adds to the tension as they must hide from relentless enemies while completing simple objectives. However, many reviews note that the gameplay can become repetitive and predictable over time, with some players expressing frustration over the linearity and lack of variety in gameplay mechanics. Overall, while the game excels in creating a terrifying experience, its simplistic and often formulaic gameplay may not appeal to everyone.

    • “The gameplay is simple but effective, making every decision feel critical.”
    • “The first-person perspective combined with the night-vision camera mechanic creates an immersive sense of dread, and the level design keeps you guessing what horrors lurk around the next corner.”
    • “The gameplay consists mostly of finding a key or two buttons, valves, switches while getting chased by a screaming dude :)”
    • “Repetitive gameplay: while the fear is real, the core gameplay of hiding, running, and finding objectives becomes repetitive, especially in later sections.”
    • “The gameplay is just so mind-numbingly boring: you just walk, back and forth, around enemies, sneaking, trying to find what the next objective is—all while playing this horribly frustrating game of cat and mouse.”
  • atmosphere2,407 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Outlast" is widely praised for its intense, immersive horror, effectively creating a sense of dread and vulnerability throughout the game. Players describe the setting of the asylum as chilling and oppressive, enhanced by excellent sound design and graphics that contribute to a haunting experience. While jump scares are present, many reviewers highlight that the true terror stems from the game's atmosphere, which keeps players on edge and engaged in the narrative.

    • “The atmosphere, the vulnerability, and the unpredictability of it all were overwhelming in the best way.”
    • “Its atmospheric design, compelling narrative, and psychological horror elements combine to create a terrifying and immersive experience.”
    • “The atmosphere is perfectly unsettling.”
    • “The atmosphere just doesn't hit right at all; the music is closer to a scary part in a shooter than a genuine horror game, the story is forgettable, and the enemies are closer to annoying than scary with some exceptions.”
    • “The atmosphere is so oppressive and scary that you really feel like you're in the protagonist's shoes.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly tense and unsettling, with a focus on stealth and survival.”
  • graphics2,226 mentions

    The graphics of *Outlast* have received widespread acclaim for their ability to create a haunting and immersive atmosphere, effectively enhancing the horror experience. Many reviewers noted that despite being released in 2013, the visuals still hold up well today, with detailed environments and effective use of lighting and sound design that contribute to the game's tension. While some players mentioned that certain character models appear dated, the overall graphical fidelity and artistic direction are praised as exceptional for an indie title, making it a standout in the horror genre.

    • “The visuals are not just about shock; they are about creating a believable, haunting world where every detail from the peeling paint to the blood-stained walls tells a story of despair and madness.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, with stunning graphics and a haunting soundtrack that keeps you on edge.”
    • “The graphics are stunning for their time, crafting a visually arresting experience that pulls you into its terrifying world.”
    • “The graphics, although not the most modern, still create the appropriate atmosphere of horror.”
    • “I have a feeling that it might partly be a product of the time where the graphics seemed more mind-blowing and thus the horrors more visceral, so I would've been better off playing when released if I wanted to be truly immersed and scared.”
    • “The graphics are a little dated, but still looks great!”
  • music1,104 mentions

    The music in "Outlast" is widely praised for its ability to enhance the game's terrifying atmosphere, with many reviewers noting how it effectively builds tension during chase sequences and heightens the overall sense of dread. The soundtrack, composed by Samuel Laflamme, is described as haunting and immersive, contributing significantly to the player's emotional experience. However, some players expressed frustration over the music being excessively loud and lacking adjustable volume controls, which can detract from the gameplay experience by overshadowing important audio cues.

    • “The music swells at just the right moments, amplifying the terror as you flee from danger or brace yourself for what’s behind the next corner.”
    • “Sound and music are so well done that I can't even put it into words; every run, every chase, every time you successfully hide or get brutally killed, the music concludes so well that your heartbeat actually gets in sync with it.”
    • “The soundtrack is a masterpiece, every song fits its respective scene perfectly, the music really adds to the horror factor by building tension and making you experience a suffocating feeling of dread whenever you hear the violin.”
    • “The atmosphere just doesn't hit right at all, the music is closer to a scary part in a shooter than a genuine horror game, the story is forgettable and the enemies are closer to annoying than scary with some exceptions.”
    • “The music is probably the most annoying thing I've ever heard.”
    • “The music is (by default) extremely loud and the style of music can make it difficult to listen for the subtle audio cues you need to pay attention to in order to detect enemies.”
  • humor240 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as dark and absurd, with many players finding themselves laughing at the terrifying scenarios and quirky characters rather than feeling scared. Reviews highlight moments of unintentional comedy, such as the absurdity of enemies and the protagonist's reactions, making it a fun experience, especially when played with friends. Overall, while the game is primarily a horror experience, its blend of jump scares and humorous elements creates a unique and entertaining atmosphere.

    • “In conclusion, Outlast is a rollercoaster of terror with an adrenaline-pumping mix of horror and dark humor.”
    • “The notes that your character writes are a standout because it’s straight up hilarious that this guy sees horrific murder and disfigurement and torture while being chased by a monstrous beast man, and while you’re running away he has time somewhere to stop and write a two-page note like 'what the hell is that thing?'”
    • “I started to treat Outlast as a good laugh since a naked-arsed psycho tried to chase me with his huge scissors - it was just hilarious.”
    • “Not funny.”
    • “You're not funny!”
    • “It wasn't funny anymore and I mean literally not funny anymore.”
  • replayability200 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting its linear structure and predictable scares as significant drawbacks, leading to limited replay value. While some enjoy revisiting the game for achievements or higher difficulty settings, the consensus is that it lacks substantial replayability beyond the initial experience. Overall, players recommend it for a single playthrough but caution against expecting much in terms of replay value.

    • “Played this game many moons ago in January 2017, I have over 400 hours on this game just because of how good the replayability is.”
    • “This game offers almost endless replayability even though you've already beaten the game.”
    • “The game's replay value is also noteworthy, with multiple endings based on player choices and actions throughout the game.”
    • “As for replayability, I don’t plan to go back to it.”
    • “Once the story is completed, the game’s replay value is minimal.”
    • “Unfortunately, there is not much replayability due to the linear storyline; however, there is very little that is more deserving of your twenty bucks.”
  • grinding177 mentions

    The aspect of "grinding" in the game is frequently criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that the gameplay becomes a chore rather than an engaging experience. While some players found enjoyment in specific achievements or collectibles, the overall sentiment is that the constant backtracking, enemy encounters, and fetch quests detract from the horror elements, leading to a loss of immersion and excitement as the game progresses.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “The collectibles aren't really tedious, and they give you good insight into what is going on lore-wise.”
    • “The effort required to push through the prolonged and, at times, tedious gameplay made completing Outlast feel like a grueling task rather than an enjoyable experience.”
    • “The gameplay itself varies from walking from point A to point B, tedious search for batteries.”
    • “Unfortunately, those moments are tied together with remarkably tedious and repetitive gameplay.”
  • emotional155 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Outlast" is profoundly impactful, with many players reporting intense feelings of fear, vulnerability, and even tears throughout their gameplay. The game's atmosphere, combined with its chilling narrative and chase sequences, creates a unique emotional rollercoaster that leaves players feeling drained yet satisfied. While some found the experience overwhelming, others appreciated the deep emotional connections formed with the story and characters, making it a memorable entry in the horror genre.

    • “I cannot tell you how emotional I got when I reached the last part of the Whistleblower DLC when I saw the sunrise outside of Mount Massive Asylum. This is a dream come true for me. I've been a viewer and had nightmares when I was younger about being in the asylum, but this is my first time ever finishing the game by myself, also... in insane mode.”
    • “The emotional journey of 'Outlast' is unparalleled.”
    • “This game honestly made me feel sick at some parts.”
    • “Very linear, boring story and not fun all around.”
    • “Cliché and boring story.”
  • stability120 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed feedback from users, with many reporting minor glitches and bugs that occasionally disrupt gameplay, such as freezing or AI issues. While some players experienced significant crashes or game-breaking glitches, others noted smooth performance with no major issues, particularly on PC. Overall, the game is generally considered playable, but potential players should be aware of the possibility of encountering bugs.

    • “Outlast runs great on the Steam Deck!”
    • “Runs great on every setup I've had.”
    • “No glitches or bugs, and I was delighted to find that the main character, Miles, has a bit of parkour ability.”
    • “Bluf: cautious recommendation based on the amount of crashes/freezes (4070/win11) I got and that random time a door stopped working mid-chase.”
    • “The game is buggy and will do things like requiring a process kill on shutdown.”
    • “I have experienced game-breaking glitches like being stuck in a wall and not being able to pick up an item that is required to progress through the game.”
  • optimization102 mentions

    The optimization of the game receives mixed reviews, with many players praising its ability to run smoothly on both high-end and low-end systems, often achieving impressive graphics without significant lag. However, some users report issues with performance drops and poor optimization on certain setups, particularly older or lower-powered PCs. Overall, while the game is generally well-optimized, there are notable exceptions that suggest room for improvement.

    • “The game looks beautiful at 4k 60 fps and the performance is perfect for me.”
    • “This game is perfect for both low performance and high performance systems.”
    • “I could play the whole game on highest graphics settings with 60fps without any frame drops, and I only have a GeForce GTX 1050 with an AMD FX™-8300 eight-core processor, so you really can tell that they worked well on the optimization.”
    • “Miserable tech performance.”
    • “Great horror game, nice story but....awful optimization.”
    • “The only thing I would knock this game for is being poorly optimized.”
  • character development50 mentions

    Character development in "Outlast" is generally viewed as lacking depth, with many players noting that while the character designs and lore are intriguing, they do not significantly enhance the emotional connection to the protagonist. The game's strength lies in its atmospheric visuals and terrifying character designs, which create a sense of dread, but the narrative fails to provide substantial character growth or backstory, leaving some players feeling detached from the story. Overall, while the character designs are praised, the development aspect is often criticized for being minimal and repetitive.

    • “The entire story and character development is fantastically realized by reading the notes Miles writes when you record footage, taking a look into his mindset and also learning more about him and what he has to lose.”
    • “This is a brilliantly tense game with some nice character development throughout.”
    • “I would say that its character development and story plot is a complete success.”
    • “There wasn't a lot of character development through the story, but you still felt like you were the man trying to escape.”
    • “Overall, the game was definitely worth the buy, and provided a horror game experience like no other, it outranked even Amnesia: The Dark Descent in terms of horror, but felt like it needed more story and character development - something that was mastered in Amnesia: The Dark Descent.”
    • “With no text logs fleshing out the history of the setting and no character development of Miles Upshur, it sucked all atmosphere away because there's zero connection to anything in the game.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game features a mix of free access with microtransactions, leading to varied opinions among users, with some labeling it as a cash grab while others appreciate the overall experience despite its short playtime. While the game offers decent scares and unique elements, the reliance on microtransactions has raised concerns about its value.

    • “The game is free to play, but it does include microtransactions.”
    • “There are some good features, but there are also some cash grabs.”
    • “Some good ones, some cash grabs.”
    • “The game at normal difficulty was completed within 5 hours, but don't let the amount of playtime fool you into thinking it was a short and sweet cash grab by the developers.”
    • “Free, but has microtransactions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
5hMain story
11hCompletionist
3-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 116 analyzed playthroughs

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