Outlast 2 is definitely one of the scariest games I have played. Like a typical horror title, it has the right mix of desolation, isolation, and desperation. There’s no hiding the fact that developers “Red barrel” knows the in and out of horror. The game comes a few years after the highly revered initial version “Outlast” and is set in a similar universe. It will undoubtedly test your faith and leave you glued to the screen while seeking to make you activate your fight or flight response at every turn. Relentlessly scary, the developers made this iteration more open and less domestic like “resident evil,” a feature that ensured that the game had a more authentic experience.

Shortly after the first version, the developers announced this title which was eventually released for windows, PS, and Xbox in April 2017. Since then, the title has received mixed reviews, with more commendation on the environment, graphics, and music. The story, gore, and difficulty received substantial criticism on the other hand. Surprisingly, this new version requires little or no knowledge about the original game as the makers offered enthusiasts a brand new terrain and story with impressive improvements. Unfortunately, for most of the time, it felt like I was a rat in a maze with no help in sight. However, you’re guaranteed maximal immersion till the credit scenes come up.

Even though some have termed the title as a horrific journey into frustration, the wide acceptance and performance on download charts made the developers announce a sequel that will be released sometime in 2021. 

A Story With Roots in Religion

This title is a single-player survival game that centers around a journalist named Lynn and her husband, Blake. Blake is a cameraman who is helping his wife with a missing pregnant girl’s case. During their investigative journey, their helicopter crashes after a light attack around Arizona. Blake recovers from the crash only to find the pilot dead, and his wife is missing. After this incident, he proceeds to Temple Gate, a city where people kill their kids as a sacrifice to God. He eventually finds his wife in a church held captive by a group of criminals led by a guy that rapes women and kills them on the ground that they might give birth to the Antichrist. 

After Blake rescues his wife here, another group kidnaps Lynn after the couple gets separated on the way. The seemingly good news is that this group supports anti-Christ birth. Shortly after that, a man named Ethan rescues Blake and informs him that he is the father of the missing pregnant girl. Unfortunately, an ax-wielding woman comes to murder Ethan, and this event makes Blake proceed to the Temple Gate mines, where his wife is held captive. As Blake travels through the ruins of Arizona, he suffers occasional hallucinations and light flashes from some elementary school demonic memory. 

Eventually, Blake enters the temple and finds his heavily pregnant wife. She delivers the baby but dies in the process. After a while, one of the heretic leaders implores Blake to kill the child, but he refuses till a sizable glowing light engulfs the surviving characters. 

Gameplay and Camera Possibilities

You are expected to control Blake throughout the game as he continues his investigative trial and wife search. The developers didn’t give the player any primary weapon, which is why it’s built on survival. However, you can run, climb, slide, jump and make other advanced movements to avoid danger like the first version. The caveat is that you must monitor the stamina meter as the player loses stamina when you move excessively. You can also hide in many parts of the game, like lockers, water pools, or cupboards.

Notably, you will have the opportunity to use a night vision-enabled camcorder. This device creates a scary aura, but you shouldn’t be too carried away as the batteries run out quickly when you use it for an extended period. The camera affords you more explicit footage and the ability to hear distant sounds through an inbuilt microphone. As you progress in the game, you can check the items and footage you have in an inventory. The game also supplies healing kits and extra batteries that you can obtain at random places in the game’s universe. 

Outlast 2 Has Its Great Moments

The game has a rich and compelling story, and this creates an intriguing experience for horror lovers. The developers also beautifully transformed the well-written story through impressive and detailed graphics. From the expertly crafted jumps to the occasional time transition, it is unlikely that you miss the genuine few the game offers. Interestingly, the story is not entirely dark as the developers mixed it with dark humor and comics. The game also has an impressive 14 track soundtrack which is a significant improvement on the game’s first version. The new tracks combine various musical instruments and tweaks to produce tones suitable for the eerie setting of the game’s universe.

It Also Has A Few Issues.

The developers outrightly announced that the game might not be appropriate for some age groups due to sexual violence and content. It might also not be best to play it in a public setting due to the gore, violence, and mature content. Apart from these ethical concerns, the game also suffers from some slight design issues like enemies phasing into one another. I bet you would even be so frightened to notice these glitches. The story also becomes linear, and this doesn’t bear well with the psychological horror theme. Some players have also shown discontent with the frequent loss of life and one-hit kills within the game. 

Verdict

Even after 13 hours of play, the game successfully retains the scary and frightening atmosphere, which says a lot about the developers’ effort in making an outstanding title. The game subtly strikes a balance between gory scenes and genuine humor, which is the primary cause of addiction in most players. Apart from the ethical and religious concerns, this title can be the best game in its genre. With a sequel on the way, enthusiasts only have more to look forward to after an impressive outing with this iteration.