The Outlast Trials

Red Barrels latest is a twisted treat for series fans and newcomers alike

89%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

95% User Score Based on 19,221 reviews

Critic Score 78%Based on 4 reviews

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About

The Outlast Trials is a multiplayer survival action adventure game with a horror theme. It was developed by Red Barrels and was released on May 18, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"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.

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 19,221 reviews

story209 positive mentions

grinding113 negative mentions

story
1,215 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
76%
7%
The story in "The Outlast Trials" is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling and collectible documents, offering a backdrop of horror centered around the Murkoff Corporation's sinister experiments. While some players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and the lore that unfolds through gameplay, many express disappointment over the lack of a cohesive, linear narrative compared to previous installments in the series. The game focuses more on mission-based gameplay rather than a traditional story mode, leading to a repetitive experience for some, though it retains the chilling essence of the Outlast franchise.
- “With its immersive atmosphere, intense gameplay, and gripping story, it delivers a thrilling and unforgettable experience that will keep you coming back for more.”
- “The story unfolds gradually, keeping you engaged and hungry for more, while also providing enough context and backstory to make the experience emotionally impactful.”
- “The well-crafted storytelling adds depth to the horror, elevating it beyond mere jump scares and gore.”
- “The story is very bare-bones, I'm pretty sure everybody knew that going into the game.”
- “What little story there is so far doesn’t amount to much: you’re abducted by an evil corporation and kept in a prison under the guise of rehabilitation, but instead are subjected to a seemingly random series of murder playgrounds.”
- “The game itself can be compared to other outlast games, with more progression (rigs, outfits, etc.) and less linear story.”
gameplay
1,110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The gameplay of "The Outlast Trials" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fast-paced, cooperative mechanics and immersive atmosphere, which enhance the horror experience. Players appreciate the variety of gameplay elements, including stealth, resource management, and unique character abilities, although some find the gameplay loop repetitive and the AI frustrating at times. Overall, while the game successfully retains the essence of the Outlast series, it also introduces new mechanics that may appeal to both fans and newcomers, though some players express a desire for more content and variety in missions.
- “With its immersive atmosphere, intense gameplay, and gripping story, it delivers a thrilling and unforgettable experience that will keep you coming back for more.”
- “The gameplay is satisfying and immersive.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are polished and intuitive.”
- “The actual gameplay ends up mind-numbing after the first few trials - go to the place, push the cart, bring object here, run to the exit.”
- “Gameplay is so messy.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive, the hiding mechanics are not consistent, and your abilities suck.”
graphics
473 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
1%
The graphics in "The Outlast Trials" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning detail and immersive atmosphere, effectively enhancing the horror experience. Players have praised the game's ability to run smoothly on various hardware configurations while delivering high-quality visuals, including grotesque enemy designs and atmospheric environments. Overall, the game's graphics are considered top-notch, contributing significantly to its chilling and engaging gameplay.
- “The graphics are top-notch, immersing us completely in its eerie atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are phenomenal for Unreal Engine 4, running smoothly on a low-end PC and has very fun mechanics and stealth.”
- “The graphics are astonishing, the sound is amazing, and the music is to die for.”
- “The graphics are competent, and the visual horror is strong, but that's completely par for the course compared to the previous games.”
- “The graphics are properly incapacitating sometimes.”
- “Not sure why, but this game has low FPS for me and sometimes it's difficult to play. I have an AMD Radeon graphic card and running an AMD Ryzen 5625U graphic card. If it can be optimized for that, it would be great; the FPS and graphics are killing me from wanting to play this.”
atmosphere
303 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The atmosphere in "The Outlast Trials" is widely praised for its chilling and immersive qualities, characterized by stunning graphics, detailed environments, and exceptional sound design that heighten the sense of dread. Players appreciate the game's ability to maintain tension and fear through its oppressive settings and grotesque character designs, creating a captivating horror experience that resonates with fans of the series. While some note that the atmosphere may diminish over time, the overall consensus is that it effectively captures the essence of horror, making it a standout title in the genre.
- “The detailed environments, realistic character models, and atmospheric soundtrack all contribute to a truly immersive experience that pulls you into the game world.”
- “The atmosphere is thick with tension, and every corner of the eerie facility feels like it's hiding secrets and horrors just waiting to be uncovered.”
- “The game's atmosphere is hauntingly atmospheric, capturing the paranoia and tension of the cold war era perfectly.”
- “The game doesn't hold back in creating a chilling atmosphere that constantly keeps you on high alert.”
- “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.”
- “Absolutely ruined the horror atmosphere with friends.”
humor
288 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
1%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its chaotic and absurd nature, particularly when played with friends, leading to a mix of laughter and screams during intense moments. Players enjoy the dark, often over-the-top comedic elements, such as the ridiculous enemy designs and funny voice lines, which create a unique blend of horror and humor. Overall, the game is described as a hilarious experience, especially in multiplayer settings, where the interactions and reactions of players add to the comedic atmosphere.
- “While I run for my dear life in the game, my brother proceeds to bully the enemy by throwing stuff at them and laughing every time they fall over. Is this healthy???”
- “The circumstances of the game—being captive in a facility and being forced to run these trials of demonic and extremely brutal challenges—is so horrifying and absurd that it actually ends up being more funny than anything.”
- “It's funny to play with friends, especially when getting chased down by enemies, as this makes for some hilarious moments.”
- “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.”
optimization
276 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
38%
4%
The game's optimization has received widespread praise, with many players noting its impressive performance across a range of hardware configurations, including lower-end systems. Reviewers highlight the smooth gameplay, minimal bugs, and high frame rates even at maximum settings, making it stand out as one of the best-optimized early access titles in recent memory. Overall, the game's optimization contributes significantly to an enjoyable and immersive experience, setting a high standard for future releases.
- “The optimization and graphics are exactly what you want for a PC game.”
- “A well-optimized game that runs at consistent and high frame rates even on lower-end PCs at maxed settings.”
- “The game is extremely well optimized just like the others while at the same time looking beautiful and terrifying.”
- “The only issue with the Outlast Trials, similar to other early access games, is the game's performance.”
- “This optimization issue can be a drawback for some players, hindering the overall experience.”
- “Some people have been reporting bad performance and lag issues.”
replayability
258 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
54%
5%
The replayability of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it enjoyable and engaging due to its cooperative elements, randomized trials, and progression systems that encourage repeated play. However, some reviewers express concerns about the repetitiveness of the content, as many trials involve replaying the same levels with varying difficulty and modifiers, which can lead to fatigue. Overall, while the game shows potential for high replay value, especially with future updates and additional content, its current state may leave some players wanting more variety.
- “One of the most addictive, replayable horror, and maybe even stealth games ever made.”
- “The replayability is certainly high as I continue to come back week after week to grind through the various programs available in the game, and it’s even more fun to play with friends.”
- “The gameplay loop is very fun, the unlock/progression system is wonderfully straightforward, and it's got infinite replayability.”
- “This game has no replay value.”
- “My only complaint is that there is not a 'huge' replay value as the same trials over and over gets a bit aggravating.”
- “This game has so little replayability, oh my god. Finishing the actual game means completing the same trial but with modifiers that don't make it more challenging but less fun; it's awful.”
grinding
139 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
17%
81%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive due to the necessity of replaying the same missions for cosmetic rewards and upgrades. While some enjoy the cooperative gameplay and the challenge of grinding for achievements, others criticize the lack of content variety and the overwhelming grind required to progress, leading to a sense of boredom and frustration. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant factor that can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game, especially for solo players.
- “I'm not grinding this game for level just to play new content.”
- “It lasted me about 2 weeks not grinding it.”
- “a bit grindy sometimes”
- “Having to replay levels on easy mode after already tackling harder difficulties in the beta is tedious.”
- “While new cosmetics and map variations have been added, as well as some unnecessarily grindy events, I'm reluctant to recommend the game due to its price point, especially considering the observed content quality and cadence.”
- “You'll likely go from being scared of the game to just being bored and annoyed, because you're just doing the same thing again and again except with some extra modifiers that just make these missions more tedious.”
stability
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
4%
71%
Overall, the game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that while it is in early access, it runs surprisingly well with minimal bugs and glitches. Some users reported occasional technical issues and AI behavior quirks, but these did not significantly detract from the gameplay experience. Many praised the developers for their quick response to any reported issues, contributing to a generally polished feel for an early access title.
- “No glitches or issues yet too, which is rare with games these days.”
- “For an early release version, this game is excellent, I have found no glitches and the gameplay is great, just really hard at times.”
- “Super polished and runs great, especially for an early access game.”
- “The game is very buggy after the launch.”
- “Game was fine, just really buggy and was unplayable for my friend even though he had a stronger connection.”
- “Every time I turn a corner, or see a guy, or put on night vision, or be in any real key moment that requires my immediate action, there is a 3-5 second FPS drop where the game just completely freezes.”
music
87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
60%
3%
The music in "Outlast Trials" is generally praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the game's tension and horror elements. While some players find the soundtrack to be less memorable compared to previous installments, many appreciate its ability to create a sense of dread and complement the gameplay. Overall, the sound design, including both music and ambient effects, is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
- “The ambient soundscape and eerie musical score perfectly complement the gameplay, further immersing players in a world of terror and paranoia.”
- “The sound and music design can't be understated, and the levels are also each unique and very fun, in their own ways.”
- “The graphics are astonishing, the sound is amazing, and the music is to die for.”
- “Outlast Trials' soundtrack is tense and does give you chills, but it's far from being as memorable as the previous two games, especially Outlast 2. When you compare the music to the previous games' tracks, it's a little... disappointing.”
- “The rest of the game is a bit janky right now, but I found that what I missed the most was the Outlast chase music.”
- “They don't feel that special and they don't have any distinct soundtrack like in the previous games.”
emotional
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a complex blend of wholesome moments and intense horror, eliciting a wide range of feelings from players. Many express that the game effectively balances heartwarming experiences with gut-wrenching scenes, leading to tears and emotional investment in the characters and story. However, some players find the emotional impact overwhelming, describing it as a rollercoaster of fear and stress that challenges their mental resilience.
- “This game made me cry.”
- “The characters' depth and the unfolding plot twists add an emotional weight that drives the gameplay forward.”
- “The story unfolds gradually, keeping you engaged and hungry for more, while also providing enough context and backstory to make the experience emotionally impactful.”
monetization
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
64%
19%
The game has received widespread praise for its complete absence of microtransactions, ads, and in-game purchases, allowing players to enjoy a pure gaming experience without interruptions. Reviewers appreciate the straightforward pricing model, emphasizing that all content is earned through gameplay rather than additional purchases, which they believe enhances the overall enjoyment and integrity of the game. Many hope this model remains unchanged, as it stands in stark contrast to the prevalent monetization strategies seen in modern gaming.
- “No annoying microtransactions, no ads, a super friendly community willing to help new players, and more.”
- “Absolutely 0 microtransactions and you earn your way into everything, which is great.”
- “A noteworthy aspect of this game that deserves applause is the absence of any intrusive microtransactions.”
- “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.”
- “Simple, it's not Outlast anymore and yeah I get it, it's fun at first and with friends blah blah blah but after a few hours it's no horror anymore and it's boring. They are out of early access, which is a surprise for me because it doesn't feel like a full game, to be honest, and $10 for the DLC is ridiculous. They might as well put in a battle pass and in-game purchases like everyone else. Fuck games these days.”
- “I wouldn't even be surprised if this is Red Barrels' money-making scheme to monetize off the Outlast franchise by adding microtransactions later on for hats and different gear for your characters.”
character development
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
50%
14%
Character development in the game is highly praised for its intricate lore and emotional depth, enhancing player immersion in a harrowing journey. The grotesque and memorable character designs contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere, creating a sense of dread and paranoia. Overall, the combination of detailed environments, engaging narratives, and unique character interactions makes for a compelling horror experience.
- “The character development and intricate lore further enhance the immersion, making you emotionally invested in the harrowing journey.”
- “The game, however, does excel completely when it comes to artistic design, map creation, character development, lore, and its multiplayer aspects.”
- “The character designs are grotesque and unforgettable, and they will haunt my nightmares for weeks to come.”
- “The attention to detail is astounding, from the decrepit surroundings to the gruesome character designs.”
- “The narrative and character development in the Outlast Trials are top-notch.”

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78%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

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16h Median play time

31h Average play time

6-30h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 75 analyzed playthroughs

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The next update for The Outlast Trials features a terrifying new enemy and map that might be the thing that scares me so much I can't play anymore

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Outlast Trials is a survival action adventure game with horror theme.

The Outlast Trials is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 31 hours playing The Outlast Trials.

The Outlast Trials was released on May 18, 2023.

The Outlast Trials was developed by Red Barrels.

The Outlast Trials has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

The Outlast Trials is a multiplayer game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Labyrinthine, Backrooms: Escape Together, PARANOIA PLACE, Escape the Backrooms, Species: Unknown and others.

The Outlast Trials

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