The Outlast Trials Review: More than Just a Jump Scare (Xbox Series X/S)

Outlast Trials is a fantastic example of how horror can be done right. While most horror games feel like a jump scare loop, game developers channeled so much more to inspire fear within the player. Using real historical events, Red Barrels was able to create a fictional horror tale that feels plausible.

Outlast Trials is available on Steam, Epic Games Store for $29.99, it is additionally available on Xbox, and Playstation consoles for $39.99.

Story – Conspiracy Theories Meet Horror

The Outlast Trials takes place in America, under the Eisenhower administration. With rising war tensions in 1959 largely due to the historic Dulles Brothers, Murkoff Corporation was formed to train the perfect sleeper agents dubbed ‘Reagents’. While completing trials, Reagents are subject to various forms of mental and physical torture to strip them of all they hold sacred or taboo. This practice is to ensure perfect obedience.

Murkoff Corporation takes advantage of the weak within the Outlast Trials.

Ironically the trials are referred to as therapy. By completing your therapy, you can ‘forget your primal instincts’ and be reborn as Murkoff Corporation and the CIA intended. By utilizing real historic timelines and events, Red Barrels is able further cultivate a terrifying fictional tale that feels plausible. While it may have been their intent to desensitize the Reagents, the player themselves starts to feel desensitized to the atrocities committed after long play sessions. 

Without previous knowledge, players would probably not be aware that this story falls within a trilogy. Developed by Red Barrels, the Outlast Trilogy began in 2013. Outlast Trials story is a prequel, allowing those new to the trilogy to play it without feeling lost or confused.

Gameplay – Atrocities Made Enjoyable

Gameplay is overall very smooth with easy to learn controls that are customizable if you find any issue with default binds. In addition HUD is highly customizable for those seeking maximum immersion. By default, HUD provides the fantastic immersion without compromising on necessary warnings such as low health. 

Controls use standard binds of most popular console games allowing you to jump right in. For example, players will use A to jump, X to interact, and B to crouch. Players such as myself have come to expect these controls in first person games.

Trials

Trials are easily accessible and managed from the social space. Once entering a trial you’re given a cutscene to give you a taste of the horrors you’ll experience. Cutscenes are not overly long and enjoyable even those who have a short attention spans such as myself. Trials are also replayable featuring new equipment and enemy locations every time.

Players can matchmake a group for any trial. – Outlast Trials

After completing the first conditioning trial, I felt more than capable of understanding any mechanic found throughout Outlast Trials. Many of the trials feature similar mechanics, masked by new appearances. A tactic known as re-skinning. The side effect of this is sometimes feeling you’ve ‘done this before’. 

Customization

By completing Trials, players are able to unlock a selection of customization items. Customization items are not only limited to character appearance, but even include decor for your Reagents bedroom. Gaining access to them requires completing more trials which to earn the required currency. Most of the items are priced reasonably but some require a significant grind.

Additionally, players are also able to customize their gameplay experience by purchasing upgrades from helpful ‘Denizens’. Capable of equipping you with rigs, physical upgrades, and amps that amplify your characters abilities within trials. Denizens upgrades are not only but fun, but make later level trials easier to complete. Doris, who sells powerful amps, is only available after therapy level 10. This makes earlier levels perfectly challenging, but assists you in later trials that become more difficult.

Co-op

Outlast Trails was designed with Co-op in mind and this is very apparent when playing. All Trials or ‘therapy sessions’ can be completed with a group of up to 4 players. Trials are made far easier with helping hands, but not boring. This is partially due to the upgrades that are sold to players from helpful Denizens. Some upgrades made to your Reagent solely focus on assisting teammates. 

Players are able to utilize matchmaking if their friends do not have Outlast Trials and they are looking to experience co-op horrors. Game chat is fully functional and allows you to communicate with your fellow Reagents. This is sometimes necessary for multiplayer tasks that require more than one player. Though game chat is not necessary if you choose to use the games built in ping system.

Solo

While Outlast Trials may feel heavily oriented towards co-op gameplay, solo play is still possible. Red Barrels does an incredibly great job at balancing task load to make the same trials feel enjoyable with a team and while playing alone. Objectives that require multiple players while playing co-op, now only require one.

While solo play may feel slightly more challenging, it also feels slightly more rewarding. Players should note that while playing solo, an internet connection is still required.

Graphics/Audio – Chilling Imagery and Instrumentals 

Music is fitting and not overpowering, something many horror games struggle with. Some of the music and art found within the game is wildly reminiscent to early Call of Duty Zombies. Powered by Unreal Engine, the graphics are more than adequate, excelling in Character appearances. Blood could be more realistic as splashing effects sometimes seems less impressive, but without ray tracing this is hard to achieve.

Even trials found within the same program and map feel different. While some horror games feel like an endless loop of the same dark hallways, Outlast Trials is far more. By having uniquely designed maps it makes it easier for players to have a sense of situational awareness. Dark environments are still fully designed as can be seen when using night vision goggles.

Using newer consoles, players will be able to reach 60 frames per second at 1440p without noticing frame rate drops. Those who are playing on PC will be able to reach even higher resolution settings with the proper requirements. 

Outlast Trials was reviewed on Xbox Series X with a key provided by Dead Good.