When I previewed the Outlast Trials back in May of 2023, I came out of that experience impressed with a game that exuded a level of polish that screamed anything but early access, with my only concern stemming from its future, which, at the time, remained uncertain.
Thankfully, Red Barrels have not only continued to polish their already solid take on a multiplayer-focused Outlast experience as it leaves early access on PC, but with its launch on consoles, The Outlast Trials now feels like a complete and feature-rich game that both fans of the source material and just those looking for a horrific co-op game to play with their friends can enjoy.
For the uninitiated, The Outlast Trials is a spinoff and prequel entry into the duology of survival-horror titles from Red Barrels, set during the height of the Cold War in the late 1950s. Unlike Outlast and its sequel, The Outlast Trials is a multiplayer-focused romp through over 15 trials spread across three maps in addition to the recently added Courthouse level, which will be available on consoles on Day 1.
Thankfully, The Outlast Trials can also be enjoyed solo, although the difficulty can be an issue. I found myself able to complete most of the trials present, give or take, but your mileage may vary, depending on your familiarity with the series mechanics and overall patience.
“For the uninitiated, The Outlast Trials is a spinoff and prequel entry into the duology of survival-horror titles from Red Barrels, set during the height of the Cold War in the late 1950s.”
Instead of a linear level of progression with one or two expansive areas to explore, The Outlast Trials features distinct levels that compose the bulk of the game, which can be selected from the starting area of the game, known simply as the Sleeping Room or the Murkoff-funded facility and loony bin that acts as the game’s central hub area.
Before getting access to the Sleeping Room hub, a 20-minute or so intro must be completed, which not only acts as a solid story-driven prologue to the game but also as a fun and concise tutorial that teaches you the basics mechanics of survival. If you’ve played an Outlast game in the past, then you’ll be right at home, at least, if your idea of a home is a cesspool of miscreants and lowlifes under the equally unlawful gaze of Murkoff scientists.
Missions or Trials in the game are done via the Sleeping Room terminal, with the player initially only having access to the Core Therapy playlist, which consists of unlocking the four levels present in The Outlast Trials, which include the Police Station, Fun Park, Orphanage, and the recently added Courthouse trial to the game.
The levels themselves feature objectives that generally boil down to killing a specific target after getting through various other missions that range from finding key items inside corpses to chasing down and microwaving the heads of guilty lunatics.
These minor objectives add a lot of variety to The Outlast Trials and keep the game feeling fresh throughout. Still, four levels might not sound like a lot on paper. In truth, however, Red Barrels has taken the time to ensure each of the available areas feels expansive, gradually unlocking new sections of the map as players get through the trials made available per level, which usually consist of 3 objectives per map.
Completing the Core Trials unlocks Program X, which features remixed and tougher versions of the initial Core Trial experiences and acts as end-game content for The Outlast Trials. Additionally, newly minted for release on consoles, an Extreme difficulty preset can be accessed, granting players who have mastered the game additional challenges to grind out. Finally, weekly challenges can also be selected via the Sleeping Room, which, as the name may suggest, rotates on a weekly basis, mixing things up and potentially giving new players, earlier than average, access to some of the later stages present in the game.
Speaking of grinding out, The Outlast Trials features healthy unlockables to keep you busy while incentivizing playing on the harder difficulties. Upgrades include augments for your RIG and prescriptions for your player avatar. RIGs are skills tied to a cooldown that grant useful abilities, such as being able to heal yourself and your friends, stun and blind enemies, see through walls, and other essential boons that can make or break your chances at freedom.
On the other hand, Prescriptions are permanent stat buffs and abilities for your character that augment their parkour and survivability during the various gauntlets in The Outlast Trials. Prescriptions include simple things, like the ability to slide, move faster while holding items, and even being able to kick down enemies, something imperative while playing with friends.
“…The Outlast Trials features a healthy amount of unlockables to keep you busy while incentivizing playing on the harder difficulties.”
Finally, outside of gameplay augments, The Outlast Trials also grants the player their private chambers, which is your only safe haven in the game. Trinkets and oddities can be purchased here to give your cell a unique flair. At the same time, character skins and outfits can also be unlocked via your wardrobe, further adding to the customization present.
I need to hand it to Red Barrels, as The Outlast Trials successfully transforms the anxiety and tension-fueled atmosphere of the series proper into a fun and engaging multiplayer experience with friends, which is no easy feat regarding the survival horror genre.
Finally, with its arrival on consoles, The Outlast Trials takes full advantage of the PlayStation 5, with graphics that look substantially sharper than Outlast 2, a high framerate and even options for crossplay with PC players, which should be available on release.
