Outlast was one hell of an unexpected game. Thinking back, I think I'll give it an 8 instead of a 7 score out of 10.
Outlast is a horror game that won't disappoint. It'll make you scream in fear, shriek in surprise, and of course, run for your life.
You know how you watch videos of other people play a game, such as Outlast, and feel like their reactions are over-exaggerated? I was in utter disbelief. But guess what? Nope. Everything was real. Outlast is the real deal. And I'm not going to lie, it is crazy a** scary, that I will admit. I started playing, just 7 minutes in, and then after that, I turned the game off immediately. What a chicken. I know.
I've seen walkthroughs on youtube, and some other videos of people playing it. By just looking at them play, the game seems incredibly lame, and I had no impact or whatsoever by the horror elements and sudden pop-up scenes in the game. Pftt, yeah right. You call that scary? But behind the screen, I assure you, there is nothing funny about it. The atmosphere while playing the game is completely different by simply watching a video of a gameplay. There is a tension there which will make your heartbeat pickup its pace, and boy, did they do a great job on the background music and sound effects. I completely regret buying this game because it is truly horrifying.
EXPECTATIONS | I went into the game with low expectations, thinking it will be one if those cheap, money-grab games that's short in length and has the guts to call itself a horror game without being scary. But boy, was I wrong. I feel absolutely guilty that I even thought about the game like that.
HOW IT BEGAN | Miles Upshur, an ambitious reporter takes you into a gruesome mental asylum where you'll learn disturbing secrets, meet some pretty messed up people, and beg for your mamma. Upon receiving a mysterious email from an insider in the asylum (the Whistleblower), claiming 'strange things are taking place in the asylum', Miles feels the need to investigate... poor us. Having to be locked in an asylum with no knowledgeable way out, your choices are pretty darn limited. With only a camera and a few batteries, there is no way to defend yourself against these insane people when you're trying to find a way out- not to mention, the longer you stay in there, the less sane you become yourself.
GAMEPLAY | Moving around is quite easy in this game, moving around unnoticed is the only problem, since the asylum is filled with violent and twisted-minded mental patients whom wants to do unimaginable things to you . The only choices you have in this game is run, hide or die. Throughout the game, there are several lockers, beds and open vents available for you to hide in. Some AI's are dumb enough to leave you alone in the lockers and under the beds, however, for other slightly more intelligent AI's... you know what they say: You can run, but you can't hide.
BEHIND IT ALL | Now, the story. Again, when I first went into the game, I thought there would be a weak storyline... oh please, I don't feel like telling you how wrong I was again. The story is one hell of a deep... thing. I know, I need to flex my vocab a little more, but I think you know what I mean. Throughout the asylum, there are documents lying around which helps you uncover the story behind all this madness, as well as scenarios throughout the game that will leave you speechless.
BRILLIANT... CRAZY... PEOPLE | One thing I am really impressed about the game is the script. What the patients and people in the asylum all say and the short conversations they tell each other throughout the game is simply brilliant. It reflects there personality and shows how they completely accept their condition and/or belief.
EXECUTION | Brilliant. Of course, its not without flaws, but the overall impact of the game was fantastic. Once you get use to the game, the 'scariness' will decrease, but trust me, its still there. Will definitely be replaying it again sometime.
P.S I wish they had a "Baby Mode" for this, "Normal Mode" (and yet, the easiest mode to select from) is already making me pee in my pants.