The Outlast Trials

Developer: Red Barrels
Release: Mar 5th 2024
Platforms:
Action
Adventure
Indie
Innovative
Immersive
Cooperative
Repetitive
Grindy
The Outlast Trials Poster

" Innovative action-adventure with strong co-op and immersive horror but repetitive missions limit longevity "

The Outlast Trials Review

The Outlast Trials delivers a unique co-op horror experience that blends intense gameplay with a dark, twisted storyline. Players engage in various challenging objectives across creatively designed levels filled with gruesome enemies and traps. The game’s progression system, featuring perks and upgrades earned through gameplay, keeps players hooked and encourages replayability. Frequent updates and community-driven content, including a level editor, enhance its longevity. The co-op mode is highly praised for adding tension and fun, especially when playing with friends, while solo play remains viable though less favored. The horror atmosphere is enriched by detailed graphics, immersive sound design, and a complex, meta narrative that explores psychological and disturbing themes. The game balances scares with dark humor and offers multiple difficulty settings to cater to different player skills. However, some players find the one-hit-kill mechanics frustrating and desire more varied content and less grindy unlock systems. Overall, it is regarded as a well-crafted, evolving horror title with a passionate developer team behind it.

Highlights

Players especially praise the innovative level design and creative objectives that differentiate it from typical horror games. The co-op gameplay mechanics add a thrilling layer of teamwork and unpredictability. Graphics receive high marks for their detailed environments and character models, contributing to the immersive horror atmosphere. The storyline and lore are noted for their depth and psychological complexity, providing a rich background that enhances the gameplay experience. Frequent updates and community content creation tools keep the game fresh and engaging.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the repetitive nature of some missions and objectives, which can feel like rehashed content with minimal variation. The one-hit-kill enemy mechanics frustrate some players by reducing strategic options and increasing difficulty unevenly. The game’s progression system, particularly the grind required to unlock cosmetics and perks, is viewed as tedious by parts of the community. Server connection issues and occasional bugs also detract from the experience. Lastly, solo play sometimes lacks the tension and enjoyment found in co-op sessions.

Pros

  • Innovative and creative level design with varied, engaging objectives.
  • Strong co-op mechanics that enhance tension and player interaction.
  • Detailed graphics and immersive sound design elevate horror atmosphere.
  • Deep and intriguing storyline with psychological and meta elements.
  • Frequent updates and community-driven content keep game fresh.
  • Progression system with perks and upgrades adds replay value.
  • Humor and dark themes balance the horror for a unique experience.

Cons

  • Repetitive missions and objectives reduce long-term engagement.
  • Frustrating one-hit-kill enemy mechanics limit player agency.
  • Progression and unlock systems can feel grindy and tedious.
  • Server connection errors occasionally disrupt gameplay.
  • Solo play less enjoyable due to reduced tension and challenge.
  • Limited content updates over extended periods frustrate some players.
  • Some bugs and technical issues affect smooth experience.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Red Barrels invites you to experience mind-numbing terror, this time with friends. Whether you go through the trials alone or in teams, if you survive long enough and complete the therapy, Murkoff will happily let you leave… but will you be the same?

Release Date Mar 5th 2024
Publisher Red Barrels
Developer Red Barrels
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (26,105)
95% Positive 5% Negative