Scary Game Review: Outlast for PC and PS4

 

(Keep in mind: Generally I am not a big gamer. I love watching other people, whether it may be commentators playing the game, friends or family, play these games. But I do not play horror games. I do, however, enjoy them for the story. So this is more of a story, atmospheric, etc. type of review, rather than a review on gameplay. There are plenty of those around though, so you'll have no problem if that's what you're looking for.)

For awhile I thought, Amnesia: The Dark Descent was the scariest game I've ever watched. It still ranks up there, and is still number one, but a there is a new sheriff in town. A scary sheriff at that. 

And that is the newest game, Outlast.

The Story (No spoilers):

This is the type of game that when I first heard of it, I thought it was going to be a cookie cutter like game, that relies solely on jump scares, weird creatures that don't revolve around the plot, and a plot with so many holes in it. 

Not at all! Actually I was quite surprise by it. 

Here's how it goes, we follow the horrific adventures of an investigator journalist by the name of Miles. There's been some reports of shifty malpractice at the once abandoned Mount Massive Asylum in a remote part of Colorado. The asylum was reopened by a research facility by the name of Murkoff Corporation. Miles takes the task of being the first to exploit the facilities secrecy. He is sorely going to regret it. 

Upon finding a way into the asylum, he finds out that all of the guards are dead and there is a massive break out of asylum patients everywhere. Miles is in for a long night, between playing a horrifying game of hide and seek with psychos who want to kill him; a metal patient religious zealot who wants to help him; a mad doctor who wants to torture him; and, oh yes, this mysterious Walrider. 

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Scare Factor:

Oh boy. I will by lying if I said I didn't jump during this entire game. I did in quite a few places. And just when you think you're used to it, they change it, and you're biting your nails once again. Between mental patients chasing you in long and frightening sequences, two deranged (plus naked) patients who want to skin you like a deer, and a monstrous man who wants to rip your head off; you will have plenty of chest pounding moments if you watch or play the game. 

Also, the atmosphere in this game is really nice. Very well done.

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Some videos to watch: 

The first video is courtesy of video game commentator, and my personal favorite, The Rad Brad. This has to do with a particularly crazy doctor who says he wants to be your buddy, but has something else in mind. 

Please note before watching: There is gore, there is swearing, and there is one part with vomit. So if you don't like any of those or if you plan on playing the game and don't want any spoilers ... don't watch! 

The next video is the part that scared the hell out of me! Holy jeez, I thought I was going to have a heart attack at one point. For all my paranormal friends out there, there is some paranormal like activity in this video. This video comes from AestheticGamer and the same warning as above still applies with this, except for this one is a bit more...scary! 

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Rating: 8/10. Damn good! Highly recommended. The only reason why it's 2 down from a perfect ten is because some of the objectives are repetitive, as well as some of the enemies the player faces. 

Outlast is currently on sale for both the PC and soon for the PS4. 

 Next game I'll be reviewing is Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs. Possibly. I am in the process of watching other games right now, such as Eleusis, so either or.