Outlast Should Go Back to the Drawing Board Following Its Recent Experiment

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Outlast Should Go Back to the Drawing Board Following Its Recent Experiment

Highlights

  • The Outlast Trials introduces a multiplayer twist, departing from the Outlast franchise’s usual single-player gameplay.
  • The game has received positive feedback, but arguably isn’t as scary as its predecessors and clashes somewhat with the Outlast brand.
  • The franchise could benefit from returning to its single-player roots for future installments.

As a long-time fan of the Outlast franchise, I must admit that The Outlast Trials was an intriguing twist for the series. The multiplayer aspect added a new layer of excitement and challenge to the gameplay, but it didn’t quite hit the same nerve as its single-player predecessors.

As a diehard fan of the horror genre, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of “The Outlast Trials”. When the original “Outlast” dropped, its chilling atmosphere and pure survival gameplay quickly made it a favorite among gamers like me. The sequel, “Outlast 2”, ramped up the stealth-based scares, but “The Outlast Trials” is taking the franchise in a completely new direction.

Instead of the traditional solo survival mechanics that Outlast is famous for, The Outlast Trials marked the series’ debut into multiplayer games. Launched in March this year, this cooperative game acts as a prequel to the terrifying Outlast franchise, subjecting players to cruel experiments during the Cold War era. While it offers a chilling atmosphere and a unique twist on the gameplay, The Outlast Trials might be best experienced as a test rather than a direction for future games in the series.

The Outlast Trials is a Thrilling Experiment, but Doesn’t Hit the Same Notes of Its Predecessors

Making the Move From Single-Player to Multiplayer Was a Bold Risk

In its earlier versions, such as Outlast and Outlast 2, the series has been predominantly focused on a single-player experience. Players were thrust into these terrifying environments armed only with a camera and their determination to survive. The games offered a gripping, nerve-wracking journey as the players navigated through the stories, gradually uncovering puzzle pieces that formed a larger narrative. This approach proved to be quite engaging. However, when it comes to The Outlast Trials, while it offers compelling trials and narratives, there seems to be a void in the absence of a single-player mode.

Generally speaking, The Outlast Trials has garnered largely favorable responses. Solid Steam reviews suggest that the game effectively showcases the top qualities of the original Outlast within a multiplayer context. Nonetheless, there’s debate about how long-term viable a multiplayer format might be for the franchise’s continuation. It seems unlikely that Outlast would persist solely as a multiplayer-centric title, given its roots in delivering singular, single-player horror narratives. Consequently, it seems plausible that the next installment of the series could revert back to its original format.

Although The Outlast Trials has been successful and received positive feedback, it hasn’t quite generated the same level of excitement as its earlier versions. This might be because The Outlast Trials isn’t as terrifying as the first two games. The original Outlast was groundbreaking in its genre, but there are numerous co-op horror games that share similarities with The Outlast Trials. For instance, Dead by Daylight and Phasmophobia have become leaders in this genre, making it challenging for The Outlast Trials to keep pace.

The Outlast Franchise Should Return to the Basics

In a fun test for developers at Red Barrels, The Outlast Trials has shown itself. However, it lacks the punch to truly propel the franchise forward. If Red Barrels intends to expand the series with a fourth entry, revisiting single-player gameplay could rekindle interest in the series. The shift towards a live-service model for The Outlast Trials was motivated by player preferences, but it ultimately feels like a standalone title rather than a continuation. It’s plausible that both The Outlast Trials and a fourth installment could coexist, making this a probable path for Red Barrels to pursue.

As a die-hard fan of the Outlast series, I can’t help but feel a glimmer of hope about a potential new game. Although there’s no official confirmation yet, the success of previous games and the recent addition of new players with The Outlast Trials hints at its possibility. Red Barrels’ foray into multiplayer was an exciting twist, but I believe another installment that revisits the elements that made the original Outlast games so captivating could strike a chord with fans like me.

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2024-08-04 23:33