Outlast

- Reviewed on Switch -

Outlast released on September 4th, 2013. 

Outlast, the one game where I am happy when doors are locked and I can't get through that area. 

Outlast is a survival horror game from 2013 by Red Barrel Studios and it's a game that has been on my radar for years. 

I finally found the perfect opportunity to play this title on my switch due to a Halloween sale and I am very happy that I picked this game up digitally to play for this years Halloween (2020). 

This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing...

You play as the main protagonist, Miles Upshur, who is a journalist and is covering a story about Mount Massive Asylum. 

This story came to Mile's eye from an email that you collect automatically in the beginning of the game. 

Instantly I got a bad feeling from the looks of Mount Massive Asylum.  

A streak of fear hit me when I first pulled up to this Asylum and that was definitely a goal for Red Barrel Studios and their location setting. 

Like I said earlier, I knew about this game for years but I never knew how I would actually feel behind the controller, walking around in the dark with only a camcorder. 

Speaking of the camcorder, this device is literally your life saver in this game. Without this camcorder you won't be able to see in the dark, which is pretty much everywhere, and you won't be able to take notes from the perspective of Miles Upshur. 

Miles is not a fighter in this game, you have to hide and run away from anyone and anything!

Batteries are your friend as well, as they help keep your camcorder's night vision available. 

You can unlock notes by recording specific, unnamed events and also collect documents around the Asylum to figure out the story behind this nightmare, Miles is a journalist after all! 

Battery life was not an issue for me and it was actually nice of Red Barrel Studios to have a system where if you die, your batteries recharge and you get more chances at whatever obstacle is in your way. 

So here we are, as Miles, inside this crazy Asylum, and then you instantly, from opening a specific door on the second floor hallway, get introduced to the crazy horrors of Mount Massive Asylum. 

I like horror in general but this game took it to another level in terms of your heart rate and stress going up and up when that horrifying music plays and the Asylum inmates start chasing you. 

The music during intense events, like being chased, can be repetitive at times but it is not a game breaker in my opinion. 

However, there is one game mechanic that I question whether is ok or not for an average gamer and that is the fact that all chase sequences in Outlast are kind of the same in a way. 

By this I mean, Outlast can be seen in chunks. You start with exploring the Asylum with no threats then immediately get thrown into a chase sequence where you have to solve a puzzle and hide from the enemy.

After this sequence of solving the puzzle and being hidden, it is back to exploring. The repetitiveness of the mechanics can get a little boring / stale at times.  

One thing I give major props to, for Red Barrel Studios, is the lore of Outlast. 

I did not go into this game thinking how deep the story was actually going to go and this factor really bumps up my enjoyment of playing Outlast and collecting documents / taking notes. 

Outlast has all the horror factors, it gives you major stress going into new parts of the Asylum. 

It makes your heart beat go crazy in the dark. 

You have to constantly look over your shoulder (even when running). 

You have to stay in the dark so enemies can't see you, and finally you have to be quiet almost all the time! 

Even though Outlast could've been a little bit scarier, I think I say that because other horror games I have played have really frightened me and this was kind of a step down but still delivered for it's current genre. 

Outlast might have come out in 2013, but for today's current horror genre standards, it definitely holds up for a nice scary adventure!

Pros: 

    - Great Graphics
    - Outstanding Lore
    - Smooth Controls
    - Scary Setting
    - Great Plot

Cons:

    - Repetitive Chase Music
    - Occasional Glitches
    - Repetitive Game Mechanics

My Rating for Outlast (on Switch):

4 / 5


-----



Disclaimer

All Reviews, Ratings, Pros, Cons, and Opinions Shared on this Blog (Press A Reviews) are my (Connor Butler) own Thoughts and Feelings.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Legend of Korra: A New Era Begins

- Reviewed on  3DS  - The Legend of Korra: A New Era Begins released on October 28th, 2014.  Based in the world of Avatar, The Legend of Korra: A New Era Begins is a turn-based strategy game that actually takes place during books (seasons) two and three of the mainline series.  Though Avatar fans would enjoy this title, the laggy input, absurd cutscenes, and dated graphics wouldn't appeal to audiences (I feel) now a days.  This review WILL have  Major Spoilers  so keep that in mind before continuing... The Legend of Korra: A New Era Begins revolves around Korra being stripped of her bending.  The first few missions in this 3DS title are to familiarize the player(s) with how the turn-based combat works.  After you complete missions, you'll eventually unlock the Water, Earth, Fire, and Air bending elements.  This game mechanic blends in well with the mediocre story of Korra facing these chi-blockers and facing off against a new a...
Read more

Layers of Fear

- Reviewed on  Switch  - Layers of Fear released on February 16th, 2016.  To me, I went into this game completely blind with the expectations to have a very scary gaming experience, instead I got more of a walking simulator game with only a few scary moments, and the rest of the game was puzzle related.  Layers of Fear has its fair share of creepy, uncomfortable moments but in the end, this title failed to give me the horror aspects I have grown to love in video games.  This review WILL have  Major Spoilers  so keep that in mind before continuing... You play as a painter who slowly goes mad trying to get the perfect painting masterpiece.  With your daughter gone (SPOILER) because she was taken to a new home / family, and your wife unfortunately dead, the main protagonist must suffer through the horrific process of constant flashbacks and nightmares.  The main issue I have with Layers of Fear is the fact that there is only two chapters th...
Read more

Stardew Valley

- Reviewed on  Switch  - Stardew Valley released on February 26th, 2016.  When it comes to relaxing, stress free games to enjoy, you would be crazy if you did not pick up Stardew Valley.  Stardew Valley has the enjoyment to bring gamers and even non-gamers to the playing field.  This review WILL have  Major Spoilers  so keep that in mind before continuing... Your journey begins when (SPOILER) your grandfather passes away and he grants you his farm land, which of course you rename and customize as you wish. I think there could've been a better way to see how you gain your farmland, but even though I wasn't a fan of this opening, the rest of this enormous, glorious game made up for it. You can choose a different type of farmland as well, that being the default version, water version, and many more. After you settle in, you can also play split screen co op which is a massive plus for people who want to play a nice, relaxing, enjoyable game like menti...
Read more