The Outlast Trials

About

"The Outlast Trials" is a first-person survival horror game set in the Cold War era, where players are test subjects for the Murkoff Corporation's mind control experiments. Either solo or in a team of up to four, players must navigate through terrifying trials, facing challenges to their morals and sanity. Cooperative play is optional, allowing for tactical teamwork or independent survival.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 29,345 reviews

story363 positive mentions

grinding185 negative mentions

The cooperative gameplay enhances the horror experience, making it engaging and thrilling for players.
The graphics and sound design are stunning, creating an immersive atmosphere that effectively captures the game's horror elements.
The game offers a unique blend of dark humor and horror, providing a memorable co-op experience that balances tension with comedic moments.

The gameplay can become repetitive and grindy, leading to boredom and a lack of long-term engagement.
The story lacks depth and cohesion, often feeling like a series of fetch quests rather than a compelling narrative.
The game suffers from frequent bugs and glitches, which can disrupt the overall experience, particularly in multiplayer scenarios.

story
1,872 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
74%
7%
The story in "The Outlast Trials" is less linear and cohesive compared to its predecessors, focusing instead on a series of missions or "trials" set in a cold war-era context involving mind control experiments by the Murkoff Corporation. While players can uncover lore through collectible documents scattered throughout the missions, many reviewers express disappointment over the lack of a traditional narrative and the repetitive nature of the gameplay, which often feels like a series of fetch quests rather than a compelling story-driven experience. Overall, the game offers a dark and intriguing backdrop, but it may not satisfy those seeking a deep, immersive storyline akin to the earlier Outlast titles.
- “The story is well-crafted, with intriguing plot twists and well-developed characters that add depth to the overall experience.”
- “The gripping storyline and disturbing revelations keep the interest alive throughout the game.”
- “The narrative, although not reaching the heights of its predecessors, still manages to engage players with its mysterious and twisted storyline.”
- “There's no story, and any current story or plot is drip-fed to you through a tube in the form of seasons.”
- “The game is not scary at all and every mission is just annoying to complete.”
- “If you’re a fan of deep storytelling, this might not be the game for you.”
gameplay
1,774 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The gameplay of "The Outlast Trials" has been widely praised for its engaging cooperative mechanics, which enhance the horror experience while maintaining the franchise's signature stealth and evasion elements. Players appreciate the variety of challenges and the ability to customize their gameplay through different rigs and perks, although some find the gameplay can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game successfully combines thrilling multiplayer dynamics with the atmospheric tension that fans expect from the Outlast series, making it a compelling choice for both solo and group play.
- “The gameplay is intense and rewarding, though it can feel punishing at times.”
- “The cooperative gameplay is where 'The Outlast Trials' truly innovates, adding a new layer of tension and excitement that makes the trials feel fresh and engaging.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are intuitive and responsive, allowing for a seamless cooperative experience that enhances the horror elements.”
- “The gameplay, while polished, is really repetitive and it takes a lot of the fear out of it.”
- “There's a lot of repetitive gameplay, so it would be great if they added more content.”
- “The gameplay gets a bit repetitive, but that is gonna be changed when new trials and challenges come as the game ages.”
graphics
763 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
44%
1%
The graphics in "The Outlast Trials" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning detail and atmospheric design, effectively capturing the game's horror elements. Players have noted the impressive optimization, allowing the game to run smoothly even on lower-end systems, while the grotesque visuals enhance the overall immersive experience. However, the graphic violence and disturbing imagery may not be suitable for all players, making it essential to approach with caution.
- “The graphics are stunningly detailed, and the sound design is impeccable.”
- “The graphics and sound design work in perfect harmony to create an environment that feels oppressively immersive.”
- “The graphics are top-notch, with every detail painstakingly designed to give you nightmares for weeks.”
- “The only flaw this game truly has is that it is so graphic and gruesome that you have difficulties finding people who can even stomach it to play with.”
- “The graphic imagery and some of the brutal scenes do make me sick; the game does have a warning, so that's on me.”
- “This game does not pull any punches with graphic imagery, and squeamish players beware.”
humor
493 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
1%
The humor in "The Outlast Trials" is a standout feature, blending dark comedy with horror elements to create a uniquely entertaining experience. Players frequently highlight the game's ability to elicit laughter through absurd scenarios, especially when playing with friends, where chaotic moments and funny character interactions enhance the gameplay. The mix of gory visuals and comedic dialogue contributes to a lighthearted atmosphere, making it a memorable co-op experience that balances tension with humor.
- “Outlast Trials, like the previous games, is filled to the brim with a-grade, pitch-black humor, and now Outlast Trials has shifted fully towards a narrative that lampoons the 50's/60's cold war-era American government and their quest to make mind control programs (such as MK Ultra) a reality; something that we never actually achieved in real life.”
- “The game is scary and when you play it with friends, it is still scary, but also funny.”
- “The outlast trials is a heart-pounding horror ride that’ll have you laughing, screaming, and questioning your survival instincts.”
- “Instead of writing a random, nonsensical text that is supposed to be funny like 90% of these reviews, here's an actual review.”
- “The humor feels forced and often falls flat, making it more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
- “I expected clever jokes, but most of the attempts at humor just left me rolling my eyes.”
atmosphere
471 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
47%
2%
The atmosphere in "The Outlast Trials" is widely praised for its chilling and immersive qualities, effectively combining grotesque visuals, eerie sound design, and oppressive environments that evoke a sense of dread and paranoia. While many players appreciate the game's ability to maintain the series' signature tension, some note that the multiplayer aspect can dilute the horror experience, making it less terrifying compared to its predecessors. Overall, the game successfully creates a haunting atmosphere that captivates players, drawing them into its dark and twisted world.
- “Red Barrels did a great job with the visuals, creating a unique and terrifying atmosphere that adds to the tension of the game.”
- “The atmosphere in the Outlast Trials is truly unnerving, with terrifying environments, gruesome visuals, and heart-racing moments that will have you on the edge of your seat.”
- “The atmosphere is oppressive: an alarming soundtrack, flickering light, and bloody locations plunge you into paranoia.”
- “Outlast Trials fails to capture the terrifying atmosphere, the tension, and the complete powerlessness that you feel when walking around in the first two games; so as an Outlast title, I feel as though Outlast Trials falls flat in this area.”
- “The dark and oppressive atmosphere still helps to freeze the blood in your veins.”
replayability
388 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
52%
6%
The "Outlast Trials" is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its randomized objectives, cooperative gameplay, and a progression system that encourages players to return. While many players enjoy the dynamic nature of the trials and the potential for new experiences with each playthrough, some express concerns about repetitiveness due to a limited number of maps and the need for additional content to sustain long-term engagement. Overall, the game offers a compelling mix of horror and replay value, especially when played with friends.
- “The gameplay loop of utilizing stealth to hide from enemies, using rigs to complement your playstyle and defeat them, and doing all different kinds of objectives on a whole variety of different maps just feels infinitely replayable to me.”
- “The variety in trials and the modifications per difficulty ensure that there’s always something new to experience, keeping the replayability strong.”
- “The trials are all super fun and one thing that I really appreciate is that the RNG is different in every trial, so it keeps the replayability high.”
- “But there is really no replayability.”
- “The game has almost no replay value unless you’ve popped like 30 Xanax and you completely forgot who you are.”
- “The replayability is minimal; the rewards are mostly cosmetics of different sorts, and even after finishing the basic missions and all their challenges, I'm still prohibited from seeing apparently large parts of the game.”
optimization
378 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
39%
4%
The game's optimization has received widespread praise, with many players noting its smooth performance across a range of hardware, including lower-end PCs and the Steam Deck. While some users reported occasional bugs and performance dips, the overall consensus is that the game runs exceptionally well for an early access title, boasting impressive graphics without significant technical issues. Many reviewers highlighted the developers' commitment to optimization, making it a standout experience in a market often plagued by poorly optimized releases.
- “The game is extremely well optimized, just like the others, while at the same time looking beautiful and terrifying.”
- “The optimization is fantastic, feels rare for a 2023 PC game, and I very much look forward to playing this more.”
- “For an early access title, this game runs incredibly well; I haven't had any performance issues and can run the game at max settings.”
- “It was profoundly depressing to see an inspiring IP broken down into nothing more than just another monetization-optimized cog in the capitalist machine.”
- “Frame rate drops, occasional bugs, and other performance hiccups can be particularly disruptive in a game where atmosphere and smooth gameplay are crucial.”
- “The game suffers from frequent bugs, glitches, and optimization issues that detract from the overall experience.”
grinding
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
18%
80%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, often leading to boredom after initial excitement. While some appreciate the lack of pay-to-win mechanics and enjoy the cooperative grinding for cosmetics and upgrades, others criticize the monotonous nature of tasks and the limited variety in missions, making the experience feel more like a chore than engaging gameplay. Overall, the game's grind can be enjoyable for those who thrive on repetition, but it risks alienating players seeking a more dynamic and less tedious experience.
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “I'm not grinding this game for level just to play new content.”
- “It lasted me about 2 weeks not grinding it.”
- “The overall game is still amazing but I wouldn't mind if they would change this farming part.”
- “The game is more tedious and annoying to play rather than being scary.”
- “So replaying these missions over and over and over and over... just gets boring and tedious.”
stability
175 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
3%
73%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting frequent bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in multiplayer scenarios. However, some users noted that despite these issues, the game runs well overall and is relatively polished for an early access title, with only minor technical problems that do not significantly detract from the experience. Overall, while stability concerns exist, many players still find the game enjoyable and worth playing.
- “Very well polished and runs great.”
- “For an early access, it's really bug free, and it's super fun.”
- “It runs great and has minimal bugs.”
- “The game suffers from frequent bugs, glitches, and optimization issues that detract from the overall experience.”
- “Players might encounter bugs, glitches, or server issues.”
- “Game was fine, just really buggy and was unplayable for my friend even though he had a stronger connection.”
music
124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
64%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create an immersive and tense atmosphere, enhancing the horror experience with chilling soundtracks and effective sound design. While many players appreciate the intense chase music and atmospheric scores, some feel it lacks the memorability of previous titles in the series. Overall, the audio elements contribute significantly to the game's suspenseful moments, though there are occasional issues with volume levels and repetitiveness.
- “With enemies chasing you, tense music blaring, and chaos erupting all around, it’s a thrilling, panic-inducing finale that leaves you breathless when you finally make it to safety.”
- “The music perfectly accompanies the gameplay, creating tension when necessary and easing it when appropriate.”
- “The ambient soundscape and eerie musical score perfectly complement the gameplay, further immersing players in a world of terror and paranoia.”
- “Sometimes, the music plays at 100% volume no matter what you do, making it impossible to hear yourself, let alone hear your enemies.”
- “The general sound design is pretty good for the most part, although I found the music to be really uninspired when compared to previous soundtracks in the series.”
- “This game has been a major disappointment to say the least; they completely changed the movement from Outlast 2 and made it worse while also giving only really 4 unique levels, which makes me ask what happened in the 2+ years they worked on it. There is just little to no content to keep you playing. I mean, I had fun for like an hour and a half until I realized all the trials are essentially the same thing over and over again, and don't get me started on the new mediocre soundtrack.”
emotional
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "The Outlast Trials" elicits a wide range of responses, from feelings of warmth and community to intense fear and heartbreak. Players report moments that make them cry, highlighting the game's ability to create deep emotional connections through character development and immersive storytelling, while also acknowledging its capacity to evoke panic and distress. Overall, the game balances wholesome elements with harrowing experiences, resulting in a complex emotional journey for players.
- “This game is so good it makes me want to cry sometimes.”
- “The characters' depth and the unfolding plot twists add an emotional weight that drives the gameplay forward.”
- “It's a wearying, nerve-wracking experience that leaves you emotionally drained, but that's precisely what makes it effective.”
monetization
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
70%
19%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the absence of intrusive microtransactions and the focus on gameplay rather than profit. While some mention the presence of optional cosmetic purchases and free battle passes, the overall sentiment leans towards appreciation for a user-friendly model that prioritizes player experience over aggressive monetization strategies. However, concerns about potential future monetization practices linger, reflecting a cautious optimism among the community.
- “But once you unlock all the rigs, there's still cosmetics galore (95% of which you can unlock for absolutely free; there's no fast-tracking progression with microtransactions) among a super fun gameplay loop. There's plenty of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to help keep you going.”
- “Outlast Trials has in-game purchases, but for money, you can only buy cosmetic items that do not affect the gameplay, which does not create the effect of 'envy' or unfairness, that in this game you can 'buy victory' for money.”
- “Absolutely 0 microtransactions and you earn your way into everything, which is great.”
- “It was profoundly depressing to see an inspiring IP broken down into nothing more than just another monetization-optimized cog in the capitalist machine.”
- “It feels like the developers have either given up on what their original roadmap might've been with more frequent new missions or it might've been a cash grab.”
- “There's a ton of grindy mechanics like level ups, collect the random stuff, cosmetic microtransactions, etc. just all the worst part of capitalistic video games.”
character development
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
53%
8%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its intricate lore and unique character designs, which enhance immersion and emotional investment in the narrative. While some players appreciate the grotesque and memorable character aesthetics, others criticize the lack of depth in personalities and repetitive missions. Overall, the game's strong visual and audio elements contribute to a thrilling and immersive horror experience, despite some concerns about character depth.
- “The character development and intricate lore further enhance the immersion, making you emotionally invested in the harrowing journey.”
- “The narrative and character development in the Outlast Trials are top-notch.”
- “Not only are their character designs extremely lazy and uninspired, so are their personalities!”
- “The character designs are grotesque and unforgettable, and they will haunt my nightmares for weeks to come.”
- “The attention to detail in character design and environmental elements adds an extra layer of immersion, making every encounter feel all the more real.”