I absolutely love anything related to horror, and Outlast is without a doubt a perfect example of video game horror. Outlast is a single player, first person horror video game released back on September 4. 2013 for PC, and then the following year on both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Outlast is developed and published by Red Barrels, an independent video game developer based out of Quebec, Canada.
The premise of the video game, is very simple. A reporter ventures into a mental asylum attempting to find the truth after a Whisteblower claims that a massive scandal is waiting within. Only to to find himself trapped in the asylum with unspeakable horrors. Whether they are natural or unnatural.
Now, when trying to describe why Outlast is so horrifying, the most important element to begin the description with is certainly the game's environment. Taking place in a Mental Asylum, the chances for horror are massive. The Asylum has been completely taken over by it's patients. Blood and bodies are everywhere, around every single corner there is something equally horrifying. Some of the patients are completely harmless, and do nothing more than cower in a corner. While other ones are far more horrifying, chasing the player all throughout the asylum. While it does use jump scares maybe a little to often, they're incredibly effective.
Gameplay is divided into two sections, chase/stealth sequences and exploration. In the exploration sections the player attempts to find documents that flesh out of the world and give more insight into the characters. But the chase sequences are where the game shines. Chased by all types of madmen, killers, and monsters. Outrunning them isn't an option, as the chase environments and small and claustrophobic. If the player is able to hide, it will not be for long as whoever is chasing them is hunting and isn't going to rest until they find them. While there are very few moments of rest within the game, and these themselves don't last very long. During these chase sequences, the player needs to spend what time they can hiding from monsters's chasing them. Using a camcorder as the player's only source of light in the darkness of the asylum, the player needs to find batteries and using them careful as they don't get stranded in the dark with murderous madmen.
One of the best parts of the game is it's soundtrack. Composed by Samuel Laflamme, the horrifying soundtrack adds so much to the game. Adding another layer of horror within the game, it sets a massive stage and escalates every single situation to a terrorizing stage. Every level and character as a unique theme which sets it apart from other levels.
With a sequel in development, and some amazing demo footage already released, the franchise has the potential to become a landmark franchise. With the first game already gathering countless play-throughs on YouTube. It's a fantastic horror game, and I'm very excited to see what scares are coming forward from the developers.
