Outlast Trials Review: How I became a willing experiment

Outlast Trials is the long-anticipated addition to this horror series. A prequel that changes the single-player pace of the originals into a multiplayer game, I'm not mad about it a bit. In fact, I am very, very happy about it.

While most of the fear from the first two games (plus the legendary Whistleblower DLC) came from the fact that we were on our own with no way to fight back, Outlast Trials managed to recapture that fear even while introducing team play; it kept to its roots while evolving to something better.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere of the Outlast series is not for everyone. It's gruesome, filled with a lot of gore, torture, and sexually explicit content. But for the series' fans, the atmosphere of Outlast Trials matches the atmosphere of Mount Asylum perfectly. After being disappointed by Outlast 2 overall, I am very happy to get that fear back.

All of the maps are designed to be as scary and as claustrophobic as possible. The orphanage was one of my favorite maps, with its creepy child mannequins as some of the scariest designs in the game. They didn't even attack me, and I was as scared of them as I was of some of the big grunts.

Related: All Tier 1 and Tier 2 Prescriptions in Outlast Trials

Every detail in the game is put together to increase the unease and the uncomfortable feeling you get while spending just a few seconds in the place. Dead bodies of failed experiments, creepy photographs, even creepier mannequins, blood on every possible surface — what more could I ask for?

The missions that you have to complete just add to how great this game is. While you have seen many atrocities committed by the patients in Mount Asylum, Outlast Trials forces you to join in. Electrocuting a snitch and cutting off a sinner's legs are just a small part of it. The change from an observer recording everything to an active participant (even if unwilling) makes me love this game even more.

Atmosphere: 5/5

Gameplay

The Outlast Trials lets you play either solo or in a group of up to four people. Both have their benefits and drawbacks. In true Outlast fashion, I found it scarier to play the game solo, especially at the start. I found myself hiding under desks for so long that my first trial was 80 minutes long.

However, even when I got used to the map layouts and enemy patterns, playing the trials solo took me longer. I had to find all the items and complete all the tasks on my own, whereas in a group, we were able to spread out across the map and complete everything quickly.

While it is less scary to play in a group by a slim margin, I have to say it is definitely more fun. There's an additional aspect of having to pay attention to what my teammates are doing, especially helping them if they are attacked. I also play the Heal Rig, so I'm always on the lookout if I need to run in and help.

Another great aspect is the game's customization options. I especially enjoyed putting flowers as wallpaper in my room and then adding the creepiest items I could find to contrast it. The customization of the characters is also extensive, with the ability to unlock new items after each trial. I was changing my looks more times than I thought I would in a facility conducting experiments on me.

Gameplay: 5/5

Enemy Design

One thing Red Barrels will always be on top of is enemy design. Frank and Eddie from Whistleblower will forever be some of my favorite enemies because of how well they were executed. From the visuals to the sound to the dialogue, the world of Outlast Trials is filled with creepy humans ready to take you out at any moment.

The experiments of Murcoff Industries all have a very unique design, even the lowly grunts, as well as experiments like Mother Gooseberry or Leeland Coyle. I loved Skinner Man the most, with his skull head and a fancy suit. His mechanic to attack you when you are in Psychosis was incredibly interesting. It reminds me of Freddy in Dead by Daylight, who needs to put you in a Dream State to be able to hurt you.

Overall, the mechanics of the enemies are very well refined. Even when you are far away from them, if you are in clear sight, the enemies will come after you. I've been chased so many times when I thought I was too far away to see. This really added to the fear factor of the game, knowing that you have to be careful and not let the enemies see even a glimpse of you.

Related: How to use all items in Outlast Trials

However, once you break their eyesight and manage to get into a locker or under a bed and desk, you are pretty safe. When you figure out an enemy's pattern and find a good looping spot, you will become pretty invincible. This was my biggest issue with it, but it is still on par with Outlast. I was just waiting to be dragged out from under a bed. It would have been a fun addition like in the original when you think you are safe in a locker, but then Eddie shows up to make you his wife.

Enemy Design: 4.5/5

Story

The story isn't always explicit in the Outlast series, but it felt more lacking in the trials. There are a lot of documents with the backstory to collect throughout the programs. Finding all of them will take a lot of time and grinding, as it's randomized when and where these documents will appear. And with a limited pool of maps, it can get tiring going through the same trials over and over again.

You can also interact with the denizens of the Sleep Room, and while I love chatting with Dorris, there isn't really a lot of substantial story there. Outlast 1 and its DLC had an amazing take on the story of Mount Asylum's downfall, whereas this prequel bases a lot of its story on the fact that you have probably played one of those two games. However, I just wanted another scary Outlast game, and I got it, so I don't even really mind that I don't get some amazing plot twists like in the original.

Story: 3/5

Verdict - The trials have brought Outlast its fear back

While the primary goal of this game isn't storytelling, it is absolutely just as enjoyable as the first one. It's about challenging yourself and your fears on your own or having fun with teammates as you escape the big bad of a map. Outlast has a unique style that it commits to, and to the longtime fan of the series, this game hits just the right spot. I am definitely looking forward to new updates and trials in the future.

[Disclosure: A free copy of the game was provided to PGG by the publisher for review purposes.]

If you want to know how to complete the first trial in the game, check out How to find all keys in Kill the Snitch in Outlast Trials on Pro Game Guides.