Therefore, it probably doesn't surprise you that my time with the game was characterised by a lot of replayed and reused levels, for so-called 'trials'. To load into a level, you enter one of four rotating doors, or sit in one of four chairs.

Although the narrative weighs in on the levels, it's immediately apparent that this is best enjoyed with others. It's clear that The Outlast: Trials is designed for four players. The test subjects have then been set free, and you, with up to three extra friends, are let loose in this crazy world. You are trapped in a giant warehouse where the experiments take place, with this warehouse surrounded by other newly built structures designed to resemble a small town. He will continuously talk to you, guiding you between missions. Your character is subjected to horrific experiments and you are released into the world with your psychiatrist as your only friend. You are a homeless/nameless character that you choose the appearance of at the beginning. The Outlast: Trials skips all that and places us chronologically before the first game.

However, it didn't impress everyone with its game mechanics that resulted in a lot of trial and error. The sequel was more strongly characterised by religious cults and hunting scenes. The second countered with its inspiration from films like Children of the Corn and had us hiding in North American cornfields. The first was hailed as a fantastic horror experience where we got to explore a mental hospital, like a journalist. It hasn't been a perfect journey for Red Barrel's Outlast series.

Outlast trials release date full game