Draft:Outlast (video game series)
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Outlast is a a first-person survival horror game series developed and published by Red Barrels.
| Outlast | |
|---|---|
| Genre(s) | |
| Developer(s) | Red Barrels |
| Publisher(s) | Red Barrels |
| Producer(s) | J. T. Petty |
| Writer(s) | J. T. Petty |
| Composer(s) |
|
| Platform(s) | |
| First release | Outlast September 4, 2013 |
| Latest release | The Outlast Trials March 5, 2024 |
Setting
[edit]The Outlast series incorporates several horror film clichés and Easter eggs, while also drawing on real historical experiments, creating a chilling blend of fiction and reality. The game often references classic horror tropes, such as isolation in a creepy institution, deranged antagonists, and mysterious, horrifying events. These familiar elements unsettle players and heighten the atmosphere, much like the tension found in classic horror films. At the same time, Outlastincludes disturbing experiments based on real history, particularly psychological research and unethical human experimentation. For example, the game draws on the legacy of dream therapy, which has roots in psychological studies where individuals were subjected to manipulated sleep and dreams to study human behavior. In the series, the manipulation of reality and perception, through experiments causing hallucinations or psychological degradation, reflects these real-life research practices, which often crossed ethical boundaries. The human manipulation experiments in Outlastare reminiscent of the infamous MKUltra program, where the CIA explored mind control through drugs, sleep deprivation, and other techniques. The game's depiction of institutions that disregard human rights and manipulate their subjects highlights the historical misuse of psychological research for power and control. Themes of psychological degradation, where individuals break down mentally and physically, are central to the game's horror, portraying how extreme stress or experimental procedures can fracture the mind. The overarching sense of complete ignorance—whether it’s the institution's disregard for morality or the patients' ignorance of their own suffering—adds another layer of horror, emphasizing how institutions and individuals can lose touch with humanity in pursuit of unethical goals. By combining these elements of real historical experiments with horror film clichés, Outlast creates a terrifying narrative that feels both grounded in reality and exaggerated for maximum horror impact.
Gameplay
[edit]The Outlast series is designed to immerse players in a deeply unsettling first-person perspective, amplifying the feeling of vulnerability and fear. This perspective enhances the tension, as players experience the terrifying environments and encounters directly, heightening the sense of helplessness. The core gameplay revolves around stealth, where players must avoid detection and find safe spots to hide, relying on strategy to survive. A key mechanic of the series is the use of a camcorder equipped with night vision, which is vital for navigating the dark, oppressive environments. While it helps players see in low light, the camcorder consumes limited batteries, adding an extra layer of tension as resources must be carefully managed. This mechanic increases the sense of fear as players are forced to make strategic decisions in low-visibility situations. Exploration is a central element, with players roaming through various horrifying locations such as asylums and cult compounds. As they progress, players uncover pieces of the story through documents, notes, and audio recordings, contributing to the game’s environmental storytelling. This indirect method of narrative delivery draws players into the dark secrets behind each setting and creates a more immersive experience. While environmental puzzles are present, they are not the primary focus of the gameplay. Players may need to find keys, activate machinery, or unlock doors to progress, but these puzzles serve more to deepen the narrative and break up the tension of constant fear. The Outlast series blends psychological and grotesque horror elements, using hallucinations and disorienting effects to blur the line between reality and nightmare. This psychological horror intensifies the overall sense of dread. A defining feature of the Outlast series is that the protagonist cannot engage in combat. This absence of direct confrontation forces players to rely solely on stealth and strategy to survive, heightening the tension as the constant threat of danger looms. The game’s mechanics emphasize two key elements: evasion, where players must avoid enemies, and escape, where they either outrun pursuers or hide in places they cannot follow. The series also explores a range of phobias and uses grotesque imagery and psychological scares to terrorize players on multiple levels, creating a truly harrowing experience.
Games
[edit]| 2013 | Outlast |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Outlast: Whistleblower |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | Outlast 2 |
| 2018 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2021 | |
| 2022 | |
| 2023 | The Outlast Trials |
Outlast
[edit]Outlast is the debut installment of the franchise, released in 2013. Developed by Red Barrels, it is a first-person survival horror game that follows investigative journalist Miles Upshur as he explores the abandoned Mount Massive Asylum. Armed only with a camcorder equipped with night vision, players must navigate the asylum while uncovering the dark experiments conducted by the Murkoff Corporation. The game is renowned for its intense atmosphere, stealth-based gameplay, and psychological horror elements.
Outlast: Whistleblower
[edit]Outlast: Whistleblower is a downloadable content (DLC) expansion for Outlast, released in 2014. Serving as both a prequel and epilogue, the DLC introduces Waylon Park, a software engineer who exposes Murkoff's unethical experiments at Mount Massive Asylum. Players experience the asylum's descent into chaos through Park's perspective, while navigating new threats and environments. The expansion builds on the original game’s narrative with even more graphic and brutal horror elements.
Outlast 2
[edit]Outlast 2, released in 2017, is the second main entry in the series. The game shifts the setting to a rural area in Arizona and follows investigative journalist Blake Langermann and his wife, Lynn, as they investigate the mysterious death of a pregnant woman. The story delves into themes of religious fanaticism, psychological trauma, and human depravity. Featuring expanded outdoor environments and an enhanced narrative, Outlast 2 is a spiritual successor that retains the stealth and survival mechanics of its predecessor while introducing new enemies and challenges.
The Outlast Trials
[edit]The Outlast Trials, released in 2024, is a multiplayer-focused prequel set during the Cold War. Players take on the roles of test subjects forced to endure unethical psychological experiments conducted by the Murkoff Corporation. Designed for both solo and cooperative play, the game emphasizes teamwork and survival as players navigate a series of horrifying trials. The installment introduces a new layer of social dynamics while maintaining the franchise’s hallmark psychological horror and tense gameplay.