Hello, ladies, gentlemen and those of a non-binary nature, my name is Daibhi and this is the Gamerhub community. As we gear up towards the Halloween season, you might have noticed that my reviews are more horror based videogames than average. This is because a film adaptation of Five Nights At Freddy’s is due to release into cinemas and we’re all about getting people to read our reviews and then potentially buy the game after reading them. So, whilst Galadrius The Mighty is being the absolute legend that he is, and Zenbloke is giving Scottish gamers a voice over on Youtube, I’m working my way through reviewing some of the best horror videogames out there for you. Next on my list is a game that gave me nightmares when I first played this with a certain Joey back where I used to live. He knows who he is, and I give him my deepest thanks, because this game is hands-down one of the best horror games ever made. You can stick your pointy-shoot games where the sun doesn’t shine, so move over, Resident Evil games, this is a game that really will get under your skin.
Outlast, developed by Red Barrels and released firstly on PC in 2013, is a spine-chilling masterpiece of a horror game that redefined the genre. From the moment you step out of your car and into the nightmarish world of Mount Massive Asylum, you’re in for an adrenaline-pumping, heart-racing experience that really will give you nightmares. This isn’t me quoting from a blurb, this game is absolutely blood-curdling in all the best ways imaginable. This game, as I said before, gave me nightmares, and that is not an easy thing to do.
At the core, Outlast is a first-person survival horror game that places you in the shoes Miles Upshur, an investigative journalist with a knack for uncovering dark truths in everything he investigates. Armed with nothing but a camcorder and a relentless determination to expose the secrets of the asylum, you soon find yourself engulfed in a story that is as disturbing as it is captivating. This isn’t your average horror game, and I adore the fact that the game literally tells you that you cannot fight, you can only run or hide.
What truly marks Outlast apart from other games in this particular sub-genre of horror games is the commitment to psychological terror. The game wastes zero time in plunging you into this nightmarish world filled to the brim with deranged inmates, each with their own unique brand of insanity. The atmosphere is heavy, with dimly lighted hallways, flickering lights and blood-spattered walls that make you question your every step. The use of the camcorder’s light vision adds an extra layer of tension as you must constantly monitor your remaining battery life. This forces you to ration the use of said light, making you make agonising choices about when to use it and it heightens the sense of vulnerability.
The narrative unfolds through documents, audio recordings and terrifying encounters with the inhabitants of the asylum liable to make your underwear change colour at a moment’s notice. It’s this storytelling technique that immerses you deeply into the lore and history of Mount Massive Asylum, with equal parts dread, intrigue and disgust. Whilst you face all these inhabitants who are all… well… terrifying, it’s hard not to feel sorry for them, because at one point, they were human. As you explore further and further into this Victorian-inspired maze of hallways and chase scenes, you’ll likely find yourself drawn further into the darkness as you explore the asylum’s gruesome history.
The thing that makes Outlast arguably one of the best horror games ever made is the game’s ability to induce sheer terror, not only for the gamers but the people watching others play the game. There are countless Twitch streamers and YouTube gamers who have made an absolute fortune out of terrifying themselves and their viewers by playing this game online with others watching, and I’m honestly not surprised. This game really does have a knack for making people jump right out of their socks, and I think whilst reviewing this game, this was the first time where I couldn’t submit the audio recording notes to YouTube on the account of me swearing profusely at every jump scare. This game is an absolute masterclass in jump scares, expertly crafted to keep you on the very edge of your seat at all times. The asylum’s inhabitants are grotesque and completely unpredictable, ensuring this foreboding sense that every corner you turn in this game might very well be your last. The relentless pursuit of danger, combined with the feeling of complete powerlessness creates an intense and truly unforgettable experience.
Visually, Outlast is a dark, gritty and atmospheric marvel. The graphics, while dated by today’s technology, excel in creating a hauntingly realistic environment. They really are a testament to the game’s commitment of creating a sense of foreboding and dead. The asylum’s decaying halls, the corridors that only seem to have a pinch of light, and gruesome scenes are depicted with meticulous attention to detail. The use of lighting and shadows is a particularly masterful, casting eerie silhouettes and obscuring danger in the darkness, leaving you in a constant state of anticipation. The character models, though unsettling and grotesque, are rendered with unsettling realism, making the encounters you have with them all the more terrifying. The game’s grimy aesthetic adds to the sense of hopelessness and despair, immersing you in a world where every single step feels like a descent into insanity.
visuals succeed in creating an unforgettable world, plucked straight out of nightmares. It really does feel as though you are playing in a horror movie, and the game is all the better for it.
Outlast’s soundtrack is a haunting composition that doesn’t get appreciated enough in my opinion. It perfectly complements the game’s commitment to suspense and tension. From the very beginning, the eerie and unsettling musical score sets the tone for a harrowing journey through the twisted maze that is Mount Massive Asylum. The soundtrack skilfully blends ambient sounds, discordant notes and haunting melodies to create a frightfully oppressive atmosphere. It’s not just about the jump scares; it’s about the continuous sense of dread that the music instils in you as you explore the darkest corners of this nightmarish asylum. The sound design, including the disturbing noises that echo through the facility, add to the sense of unease. Outlast’s soundtrack is an integral and truly unforgettable part of the game’s ability to suck you in to the world where fear is your only and constant companion, making this an essential part of the experience. Do NOT play this game with your TV on mute.
In conclusion, Outlast is a tour-de-force in the horror gaming world that really did break new ground (for those who have already played this game, that pun was completely intended and I have no regrets). It’s a nerve-wracking, arse-cheek-clenching, pulse-pounding experience that will take you to the darkest corners of the human psyche. With a rich narrative, immersive world and more than a few jump scares, this game is a must-play for any horror game or horror movie enthusiast. Just remember that once you enter Mount Massive Asylum, there’s no turning back, and the nightmares might linger in your mind for years afterwards. Enter at your own risk, and prepare for a descent into madness that you won’t soon forget.
4.6/5 Joysticks
For the Gamerhub, I’ve been Daibhi and you are all legends.
