Outlast Game Review [PS4]

Today I present you with another game review. Today, I will be reviewing Outlast for the PS4. It is also available for the PC, but I have only played the console version. I actually completed a full play through, earning all but two trophies on the PSN.

Outlast is a straight up horror game. If mutated creatures jumping out at you is not your thing, then I suggest you drop the controller. I have to say, it may be the scariest game I've ever played.

Picture from the Outlast trailer.

You play as a journalist who is going into an insane asylum to document the horrible experiments done on the patients. The game is first person, so you can only essentially see what the character sees. You never actually see what the main character looks like, other than his arm. It gives the illusion that you are in fact the one exploring this abandoned hospital. The first scene is an excruciatingly slow drive up to the building. You are given a video camera with night vision capability, a folder to hold case notes and some batteries. Depending on the level of difficulty you choose, the amount of batteries your camera can hold changes. The camera itself will never turn off if you run out of batteries, but you will not be able to use night vision, which in a dark building will prove difficult to venture through. When you finally reach the actual building, the front gate is locked. If that’s not any indication to leave, I don’t know what is. Instead, you are prompted to find an alternate entrance. The first mistake of the protagonist.

Tip: Once inside the building, you should never put your camera away. Leave the night vision off when there is enough light to see. The camera captures events that will in turn give you notes that will not only give you an achievement for completion but also gives you more insight of the story.

            The mutant people in the asylum are hideous. Seeing a person walk around the building is enough to make you run in the other direction. You can’t actually fight the creatures who come after you, making the game all that scarier. When you actually get up close and personal with the patients, the details seem to be lacking, but not enough to take away any fear from the game. While Outlast is considered an escape game, you are not trying to solve any puzzles to leave the building. The gameplay in this sense is pretty straightforward in which all you have to do is find your way through the building and everything else will fall into play.

            Play Outlast with the volume turned all the way up and the lights off. If you want the full experience, make sure you play at when you won’t mind finishing the game in a full sitting (there is no saving in insane mode for those of you horror fanatics). I played it in portions and still found the gameplay frightening and satisfying but playing in one sitting gives you the feeling that you’re trapped in an asylum and can’t get out. Also, playing with friends around is really fun. I played the game with my brother, and we passed the controller around after every part. The excitement of Outlast is that you’ll have fun watching the game as much as you’d have fun playing the game yourself. In fact, if you don’t have a PS4 and don’t want to buy the game on PC, I recommend watching gameplay videos because some of the player’s reactions are golden.

        

            You don’t have to be an experienced gamer to play Outlast. The gameplay is simple, you have to find your way out of the building with the occasional running away from a crazy mutant patient. Like I mentioned before, why not have a party and invite even some of your non-gamer friends? Outlast has a great story and enough fright to keep everyone entertained. Lastly, for you horror buffs, the attention to detail in certain parts of the game is amazing. Keep an eye out for bloody puddles. Step in those and you’ll be leaving red footprints.

            In short, Outlast is a horror game. There is no fighting your attackers, so you better find the best hiding places. The detail gives you the feeling that you’re actually trapped in an asylum and not just playing a video game. The story and scares are enough to warrant a play through, but if you rather not spend the twenty dollars on a game that is only good for one initial play through (once you know when all the scares happen, it isn't quite fun anymore, unless you’re going to try insane mode) then I strongly recommend watching the walk-through online. There isn't much more that I can say other than, give Outlast a try because I guarantee that it is unlike any other game you've played before.

I hope you enjoyed my review! Let me know in the comments below. Next post is on Friday, stay tuned!