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The Outlast Trials

The Outlast Trials is a first-person psychological survival horror video game developed and published by the independent studio Red Barrels.^[1] Set in the Cold War era, the game casts players as unwilling test subjects, or "reagents," recruited by the fictional Murkoff Corporation for experimental mind control programs involving grueling trials of endurance and sanity.^[2] It functions as a prequel to the earlier Outlast titles, expanding the series' lore through cooperative multiplayer gameplay supporting up to four players online, alongside a solo mode, where participants must complete objectives in hostile environments while evading grotesque enemies without weapons or combat mechanics—relying instead on stealth, hiding, and limited tools like bandages or lockpicks.^[3] The title entered early access on May 18, 2023, for PC, achieving full release across platforms including PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, and PC on March 5, 2024.^[1]^[4] Gameplay centers on "trials," structured missions within procedurally influenced maps that test players' ability to sabotage facilities, rig explosives, or extract data amid pursuits by deranged pursuers and environmental hazards, with progression unlocking character customizations, rigs (gadgets), and murkoff credits for further enhancements.^[5] Post-launch support has included seasonal updates introducing new modes like Experimental Therapy variants, like the 2025 Invasion mode allowing one player to impersonate enemies and hunt others, alongside limited-time events and an in-game store, maintaining its live service elements.^[6] Upon release, The Outlast Trials garnered generally positive reception for its tense cooperative horror dynamics and atmospheric fidelity to the series' roots, evidenced by "Very Positive" user ratings on Steam from over 29,000 reviews, though some critics noted repetition in trial variety and technical issues in multiplayer sessions.^[1]^[7] It marked Red Barrels' first foray into multiplayer, distinguishing itself from prior single-player entries by emphasizing shared vulnerability and emergent chaos among players, contributing to its status as one of March 2024's top-played new adventure releases.^[8]

Gameplay

Core Mechanics

The Outlast Trials is played from a first-person perspective, immersing players as vulnerable test subjects devoid of weapons or combat capabilities, forcing reliance on stealth and flight for survival.^[1]^[9] Enemies, manifested as deranged former inmates or facility guards, patrol dynamically and pursue aggressively upon detection, with players unable to fight back effectively.^[9]^[10] Core survival tactics center on evasion through sprinting—limited by a depletable stamina meter—and hiding in interactive environmental elements such as lockers, under desks, inside vehicle trunks, or crawling through ventilation ducts.^[9] Closing doors during chases disrupts enemy line-of-sight and slows pursuit, providing brief respite.^[11] Detection triggers intense auditory and visual cues, amplifying tension as enemies exhibit persistent searching patterns.^[10] Trials structure gameplay around primary objectives like navigating facilities to activate mechanisms, collect items, or manipulate devices amid puzzles that demand environmental interaction, all while evading threats and traps such as electrified grates or noise-emitting hazards.^[12] These tasks simulate Murkoff Corporation experiments, blending puzzle-solving with survival under duress in dimly lit, labyrinthine settings.^[2] Resource scarcity heightens peril: night-vision goggles, activated to pierce darkness and reveal enemies or obstacles, drain batteries that must be scavenged or rationed carefully from crates or the environment.^[9]^[13] Lockpicks, finite tools found similarly, enable access to locked doors and containers holding batteries or other aids, underscoring strategic inventory management.^[13] Depletion of these items forces risky exposure, reinforcing the game's emphasis on caution and planning.^[14]

Multiplayer and Solo Modes

The Outlast Trials features cooperative multiplayer for teams of up to four players, enabling participants—known as Reagents—to collaborate on completing experimental trials set by the Murkoff Corporation.^[1] In this mode, players can assist each other by sharing limited resources like batteries for cameras, performing revivals on downed teammates using specific mechanics, and coordinating to solve objectives amid enemy pursuits, which heightens tension through reliance on human unpredictability rather than scripted AI behaviors.^[15] While primarily cooperative, group dynamics allow for hindrance via player errors, such as excessive noise alerting enemies or failing to support during chases, integrating social friction into the core horror experience without formal betrayal systems in standard trials.^[16] Solo mode adapts the trials for single-player execution, scaling enemy aggression, objective complexity, and resource availability to preserve the series' emphasis on isolation and vulnerability without multiplayer dependencies.^[17] Unlike co-op, solo play eliminates teammate coordination, relying instead on individual stealth and timing, with post-1.0 release adjustments in March 2024 reducing certain difficulties—such as enemy spawn rates—to make progression feasible while maintaining psychological dread through unassisted encounters.^[18] No AI companions accompany the player, ensuring the horror stems from environmental threats and self-reliance rather than artificial support.^[19] In October 2025, developer Red Barrels introduced Invasion mode as a permanent experimental therapy, blending PvP elements into trials by permitting select players to invade as disguised "Imposters" who stalk and eliminate Reagents while mimicking their appearance to sow paranoia.^[20] Launched on October 21 via patch updates, this mode supports both solo and co-op sessions for 2–4 players, where Imposters leverage trial environments to ambush victims, amplifying horror through uncertainty over whether threats are AI enemies or human adversaries.^[21] Limited Imposter slots per session prevent overcrowding, focusing disruption on targeted interference that disrupts cooperative trust without altering core trial structures.^[6]

Progression Systems and Rigs

In The Outlast Trials, player progression occurs through Murkoff Corporation's structured "therapy" program, where completing trials awards experience points (XP) to advance therapy levels, unlocking persistent enhancements separate from session-specific survival tools.^[22] This meta-progression emphasizes cumulative performance across multiple runs, enabling access to rigs, prescriptions (passive perks), and amps (temporary boosts purchasable mid-trial), which customize loadouts for replayability without altering core stealth-horror loops.^[23] Therapy levels, starting from novice intake and scaling to advanced regimens, require XP thresholds met via trial completions, with higher difficulties yielding more points for faster unlocks.^[22] Rigs function as selectable class-like systems, equipping players with one primary ability per trial to adapt strategies, such as the Stun Rig for launching electric projectiles that temporarily immobilize pursuers and create distraction opportunities, or the Blind Rig for deploying disorienting gas clouds to obscure vision and enable stealth evasion.^[22] Additional rigs include the Heal Rig, which generates restorative items for self or team recovery, and the X-Ray Rig, allowing scans to reveal hidden items, weak points, or enemy positions through obstacles for informed navigation.^[24] Each rig unlocks sequentially at therapy milestones—typically the Stun Rig at level 5, followed by others at levels 10, 15, and 20— and can be upgraded to level 8 via further XP investment, enhancing capacity, duration, or recharge rates for specialized playstyles like aggressive disruption or reconnaissance.^[23]^[22] Post-trial evaluation assigns a grade (ranging from F to A+) based on metrics including objectives completed, damage taken, deaths incurred, and efficiency penalties like excessive hiding or rig misuse, directly influencing reward payouts in credits and tokens.^[25] Achieving A or higher—often by minimizing red-flagged categories (e.g., under three deaths and maximal black-flagged positives like quick extractions)—unlocks permanent upgrades such as baseline health increases, stamina extensions, or expanded inventory slots, compounding across therapy progression for enduring character fortification.^[26]^[27] The rebirth mechanic, introduced as a prestige endpoint, permits character reincarnation after amassing rebirth tokens from elite trial performances, resetting therapy progress while inheriting select traits like enhanced starting stats or cosmetic markers for sustained meta-advancement.^[28] This allows reagent persistence beyond initial therapy arcs, with inherited bonuses (e.g., minor ability multipliers) carrying forward to new cycles, encouraging repeated high-grade runs without full loss of prior investments.^[29] Rebirth requires solo or coordinated final trials under variator constraints, such as no rigs, to verify "cured" status before token expenditure.^[30]

Plot and Setting

Cold War Era Context

The Outlast Trials situates its narrative within the Cold War period, particularly the late 1950s and early 1960s, a time of heightened geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Murkoff Corporation, a fictional private entity with ties to government interests, operates covert programs that mirror historical efforts in psychological manipulation and behavioral conditioning. These initiatives involve subjecting unwilling participants—referred to as "reagents"—to rigorous trials designed to engineer resilience and obedience, ostensibly to counter foreign ideological infiltration.^[31]^[32] Central to this framework is the adaptation of Project MKUltra-like methodologies, where Murkoff's experiments prioritize the development of sleeper agents capable of withstanding interrogation and executing directives without detection. Real-world parallels, such as the CIA's documented use of LSD, hypnosis, and sensory deprivation from 1953 onward, inform the game's depiction of unethical human testing, but Murkoff's role amplifies corporate overreach in what was historically a state-driven endeavor amid fears of communist mind control tactics. The emphasis lies on causal mechanisms of trauma induction to reprogram subjects, reflecting era-specific anxieties over subversion and loyalty in a bipolar world order.^[32]^[33] Aesthetic and atmospheric elements evoke institutional horror through representations of fortified, utilitarian facilities—evoking mid-century asylums, bunkers, and labs—stocked with period-appropriate technology like reel-to-reel recorders and rudimentary electroshock devices. Soviet threats manifest thematically as the ideological foil justifying such extremes, with propaganda underscoring the need for unbreakable operatives against espionage from the Eastern Bloc. This context establishes a backdrop of sanctioned atrocity, where individual agency erodes under the pretext of national security imperatives.^[34]

Primary Story Phases

The narrative progression in The Outlast Trials centers on the Reagents' entrapment in Murkoff Corporation's Sinyala Facility, where experimental programs escalate from behavioral reprogramming to rebellion and regression, emphasizing the futility of resistance against institutional control.^[2] These phases unfold non-linearly through in-game documents, audio logs, and program sequences, revealing Murkoff's objective to engineer psychologically resilient operatives via trauma-induced compliance during the Cold War era.^[2] The Rebirth phase initiates the Reagents' transformation, commencing with their involuntary recruitment as test subjects and immersion in conditioning trials designed to dismantle personal identities and instill obedience. Abductees, selected for their societal expendability, endure introductory experiments that simulate societal reintegration as "perfect citizens," stripping away inhibitions through exposure to fear, pain, and moral ambiguity.^[2] This establishes the core thematic tension of rebirth as a false promise, with Murkoff's directives—voiced by overseer Dr. Easterman—framing the process as therapeutic purification for national security purposes.^[35] As trials advance, the Escape phase emerges amid accumulating revelations about Murkoff's deceptions, including falsified success metrics and hidden casualties from prior cohorts. A underground resistance, spearheaded by the captured operative Amelia, coordinates a mass breakout from the facility, exposing layers of the corporation's conspiracy involving unethical human testing for mind-control applications.^[36] Despite partial successes by some Reagents, the attempt fractures group cohesion and invites brutal reprisals, heightening the narrative's focus on betrayal and the illusion of autonomy within a surveilled panopticon.^[37] Project Relapse constitutes the culminating phase, triggered by the escape's failure, wherein Murkoff halts Rebirth operations and enforces total containment to eradicate dissent. Reagents undergo accelerated psychological unraveling, manifesting as relapses into conditioned behaviors and hallucinations, with Easterman's protocols mandating indefinite internment over release.^[35] This denouement reinforces Murkoff's dominance, linking the trials to the broader Outlast lore through precedents for the corporation's variant mutations and Walrider pursuits, as failed subjects are repurposed for escalating experiments in psychic dominance.^[2]

Development

Announcement and Pre-Production

The Outlast Trials was first teased by Red Barrels in October 2019 as a prequel to the Outlast series, with its full reveal occurring during The Game Awards on December 12, 2019.^[38] The announcement positioned the game as an expansion of the franchise's psychological horror into cooperative multiplayer, set amid Cold War-era experiments by the fictional Murkoff Corporation on human test subjects known as "reagents."^[2] This shift marked Red Barrels' departure from the series' traditional single-player focus, aiming to create shared terror experiences where up to four players endure randomized trials featuring traps, enemies, and moral dilemmas inspired by films like Saw.^[39] Pre-production emphasized prototyping core systems for replayability, including the "rig" mechanic—customizable wearable devices granting temporary abilities such as night vision or healing, distinct from the series' prior reliance on handheld cameras.^[40] Early teasers and concept art showcased grotesque facility environments and procedural elements in trial layouts to ensure variability across playthroughs, addressing the linear nature of prior Outlast titles.^[41] Red Barrels' co-founders, including creative director Philippe Morin, cited a desire to innovate beyond solo narratives by leveraging multiplayer dynamics for emergent horror, such as player betrayals and cooperative escapes, while preserving the studio's commitment to vulnerability without combat.^[42] Development began shortly after Outlast 2's 2017 release, with the team of around 40 expanding from Montréal to explore these mechanics in closed prototypes before public demos.^[43]

Early Access Development

The Outlast Trials launched in early access on May 18, 2023, exclusively for Microsoft Windows through Steam and the Epic Games Store, enabling initial testing of multiplayer trials, co-op dynamics, and survival mechanics within the Murkoff facility setting.^[44]^[1] The early access version achieved rapid commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies within its first week, which reflected strong player interest in the game's horror elements and cooperative features despite ongoing development.^[45] Developer Red Barrels released multiple patches throughout 2023 to iterate on gameplay based on community feedback gathered via forums, Steam discussions, and direct input channels. Update #2, deployed on June 13, 2023, focused on bug fixes, quality-of-life enhancements such as improved rig accessibility, and balance adjustments to player rigs—including requirements to purchase them from in-game vendor Cornelius Noakes, introduction of upgrade systems, and icon revisions—to address complaints about usability and progression pacing.^[46] Subsequent updates continued this feedback loop, with October 2023's Update #3 incorporating substantial refinements like new trial maps (e.g., Courthouse), MK-Challenges, and enemy behavior tweaks derived from player reports on difficulty spikes and content variety, while maintaining emphasis on core trial integrity over expansive narrative additions.^[47] These changes prioritized mechanical stability and balance for rigs and encounters, fostering iterative testing of co-op synergies without preempting full-release content expansions.^[48]

Full Release Preparation

In preparation for the full 1.0 release on March 5, 2024, developer Red Barrels integrated the final major content updates drawn from over eight months of early access player feedback, including refinements to trial progression, level organization, and balance adjustments to core horror mechanics such as enemy AI behaviors and environmental hazards. ^[49] This phase emphasized stabilizing multiplayer infrastructure to handle larger player lobbies and cross-platform interactions, addressing reported desynchronization issues and server latency from PC-only early access testing.^[50] ^[51] A key milestone was the implementation of full cross-play functionality, enabling seamless multiplayer sessions across PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, which had been limited to PC during early access.^[52] ^[18] Console ports incorporated hardware-specific optimizations, such as full controller support with haptic feedback and vibration, alongside performance tuning to mitigate frame rate drops and input lag observed in early access benchmarks on lower-end PCs, ensuring parity with the horror intensity of solo and co-op modes.^[53] ^[54] Story mode refinements culminated in a new narrative ending and expanded single-player options, enhancing the Cold War-era Murkoff experiments without altering core plot beats, while pre-release hotfixes polished audio cues and visual terror elements like dynamic lighting in new areas such as the Toy Factory trial.^[18] ^[55] These updates, announced in a February 2024 developer log, aimed to deliver a cohesive experience syncing early access expansions with console debuts, prioritizing empirical stability over experimental features.^[55]

Release and Marketing

Early Access Launch

The Outlast Trials launched in early access on May 18, 2023, available exclusively for PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store.^[56] ^[1] The initial release was priced at $29.99, positioning it as a paid early access title focused on core survival horror trials in a multiplayer context.^[57] Red Barrels intended this phase to enable community-driven testing of the game's cooperative mechanics and horror elements, gathering player data to assess co-op dynamics and pacing before broader expansions.^[44] ^[48] Launch-day operations faced immediate challenges, including server overloads and connection errors that disrupted multiplayer sessions and matchmaking.^[58] High player concurrency strained backend infrastructure, leading to frequent disconnects and failed joins, particularly in co-op modes.^[59] These issues compounded perceptions of the build's unpolished nature, with content limited to a subset of trials and rigs, prompting criticism over incomplete features and optimization gaps.^[60] Despite technical hurdles, the early access rollout provided initial validation for the game's shift to multiplayer horror, allowing Red Barrels to collect empirical feedback on team-based survival viability amid the series' signature tension.^[61] Player reports highlighted effective scares in controlled groups but underscored the need for server scalability and content depth to sustain engagement.^[62]

Full Release and Platforms

The Outlast Trials achieved full release status on March 5, 2024, transitioning from early access with a simultaneous digital launch on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.^[4]^[1] This rollout followed console certification processes by Sony and Microsoft, which required platform-specific optimizations including enhanced graphical fidelity on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S hardware, alongside full controller integration for seamless input across devices.^[4] Cross-platform play was enabled from launch, permitting multiplayer sessions between PC and console users, though cross-progression between accounts remained unavailable at that time.^[63] The standard edition retailed at $39.99 across major platforms, positioning it as a mid-tier priced title in the survival horror genre, with no physical editions announced for the initial global rollout.^[64] Availability was worldwide digitally, subject to regional storefront restrictions such as age gating in certain territories, but without platform-specific delays beyond certification timelines.^[64] No port for Nintendo Switch was included at launch, owing to technical constraints on the hardware for the game's resource-intensive environments and multiplayer features.^[2] A day-one patch addressed minor launch stability issues, including server synchronization for co-op trials, but did not introduce new content or progression systems.^[1]

Promotional Campaigns

Red Barrels first promoted The Outlast Trials with a reveal trailer at The Game Awards on December 12, 2019, showcasing the game's co-op survival horror mechanics within a Cold War-era Murkoff Corporation facility, where players endure psychological experiments as test subjects.^[65] A subsequent gameplay trailer debuted at Gamescom on August 25, 2021, demonstrating core features like character customization, team-based trials, and environmental hazards to generate anticipation for the multiplayer format. To build player engagement prior to early access, the developer conducted beta tests, including a closed beta from October 28 to November 1, 2022, and an open beta accessible via Steam starting October 30, 2022, enabling participants to explore the lobby, rig customization, and introductory trials solo or in co-op.^[66] These sessions emphasized the game's tension without combat, relying on stealth and resource management, while Steam demos and free weekends were periodically offered to broaden accessibility and hype.^[1] Merchandise efforts included the release of the original soundtrack composed by Tom Salta, available digitally in October 2023 and as a limited-edition double vinyl through Laced Records, featuring tracks that amplify the game's dread-infused ambiance to appeal to horror enthusiasts beyond gameplay.^[2] Seasonal promotions centered on Halloween, such as the 2023 Program Geister limited-time event launched October 26, which introduced event-specific challenges, catalogs, and discounts on platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store to leverage the holiday's horror affinity.^[67] Similar annual events, including returning catalogs and mini-games, continued to foster community participation through timed content drops.^[68] Promotional collaborations involved developer streams and partnerships with gaming platforms for live events, though direct ties with horror influencers were primarily community-driven via Twitch integrations for reward drops during seasonal updates.^[69] Trailers for major features, like the console announcement at The Game Awards 2023, further sustained visibility by highlighting cross-platform expansion.^[70]

Post-Launch Updates

Major Content Expansions

The full release of The Outlast Trials on March 5, 2024, was followed by immediate post-launch patches primarily focused on stabilizing cross-platform performance, fixing progression blockers, and tweaking balance for trials and enemy encounters to address launch-day feedback from PC and console players.^[71] These early updates included adjustments to rig effectiveness, such as reduced cooldowns on certain defensive tools, and refinements to enemy patrol patterns based on aggregated telemetry data showing uneven difficulty spikes in specific programs.^[72] A key balance patch in late March 2024 targeted multiplayer dynamics, nerfing exploitable stun-locking mechanics against primary enemies like the Screamer while enhancing their recovery speeds to promote more dynamic evasion gameplay.^[73] Subsequent minor content additions through April incorporated variant trial modifiers, such as increased reagent vulnerability in environmental hazards, to extend replayability without overhauling core structures.^[74] The Prime Time update, deployed on May 28, 2024, marked the first major content push post-release, introducing permanent special abilities for Prime Assets Sergeant Coyle and Mother Gooseberry that integrated into standard trials beyond the event.^[75] These enhancements allowed Coyle to deploy area-denial traps with lingering effects and Gooseberry to summon temporary minions, escalating threat coordination and forcing players to adapt strategies mid-trial.^[76] Accompanying the update was a limited-time event featuring themed MK-Challenges and programs with elevated enemy aggression, alongside exclusive cosmetics earned through completion milestones, which ran until June 18, 2024.^[75] This expansion aimed to reinvigorate veteran player engagement by layering procedural horror elements onto existing maps.

2024-2025 Developments

In March 2025, Red Barrels marked the one-year anniversary of The Outlast Trials' full release with a developer update outlining future content and the release of Update 2.1 on March 25. This patch introduced limited-time anniversary rewards, including an E.S.O.P. skin, player border, player icon, and a legendary one-year cake cell item, accessible through special tasks in the Under Surveillance event.^[77]^[78] On April 22, 2025, Season 3: Project Relapse launched as a free update across platforms, featuring new trials such as Liquidate, a custom Trial Maker mode for player-created challenges, and the introduction of the Jaeger enemy type designed to heighten pursuit mechanics following the narrative fallout from prior seasons. The season incorporated a new map environment centered on suburban settings, expanding trial variety beyond industrial facilities.^[79]^[80]^[81] A major update on October 21, 2025, added the permanent Invasion experimental therapy mode, enabling player-versus-player interactions where one participant acts as an "Imposter" to stalk and disrupt a team of up to three Reagents during trials, blending cooperative horror with competitive hunting elements. The update also revived the Geister limited-time event with enhanced hallucination effects, increased enemy aggression, and new trials, running in two phases through November 4 before transitioning to a second part; additionally, an in-game store was implemented for cosmetic purchases. Hotfixes on October 22 and 24 addressed issues like voice chat overlaps, result screen displays, and progression continuity in Invasion matches.^[20]^[6]^[82]

Reception

Critical Response

Upon its full release on March 5, 2024, The Outlast Trials garnered generally favorable critical reception, though scores reflected a mixed consensus on its depth relative to its innovations in multiplayer horror. Metacritic reported a score of 75 for the PlayStation 5 version based on 27 critic reviews, while the PC version aggregated at 72; OpenCritic compiled an average of 72 from 65 reviews across platforms.^[83]^[84] IGN assigned a 7 out of 10, highlighting the game's "really enjoyable and unique cooperative horror" mechanics that distinguish it in the genre.^[7] Reviewers frequently praised the atmospheric tension cultivated through dimly lit, labyrinthine environments and relentless enemy pursuits, evoking the series' hallmark sense of vulnerability without weapons or combat.^[85] The customizable rig system—equipping abilities such as healing, stunning foes, or scanning with x-ray vision—enhanced replayability by permitting varied team compositions and strategies across trials, encouraging multiple runs to experiment with loadouts and optimize survival.^[86]^[7] Critics commonly critiqued the repetitive structure of the core trials, which recycle objectives like evidence collection or trap navigation with insufficient procedural variety, leading to perceptions of content brevity despite post-Early Access expansions.^[7]^[87] Game Rant noted a "lack of polish and scares" in prolonged play, attributing diminished impact to formulaic enemy behaviors and predictable layouts.^[88] Overall, the game was seen as a successful adaptation of the single-player Outlast lineage into co-op territory, preserving the psychological dread of helpless evasion while leveraging multiplayer dynamics for emergent chaos and shared panic, though some argued it prioritized quantity of encounters over qualitative terror innovation.^[85]^[7]

Commercial Performance

The Outlast Trials sold over 500,000 copies during its first week in early access, launched on May 18, 2023.^[89] By July 2023, cumulative sales exceeded 1 million copies across platforms.^[90] The title reached 3 million players by March 11, 2025, as announced by developer Red Barrels.^[91] PC estimates indicate approximately 2.3 million copies sold (with a range of 1.4–3.3 million), generating $54.5 million in gross revenue from the base game alone.^[92] On Steam, the game recorded a peak concurrent player count of 36,689 on May 21, 2023.^[93] Following its full release on March 5, 2024, The Outlast Trials ranked 30th among adventure games by monthly active users that month.^[8]

Criticisms and Community Feedback

Players have frequently reported server instability and frequent disconnects, particularly during trials like the courtroom map, leading to lost progress and frustration in multiplayer sessions.^[59] Community discussions on Reddit highlight worsening server issues since Season 1, rendering the game borderline unplayable for some due to high latency and connection failures amid player traffic.^[94] These problems persist despite hotfixes addressing related bugs like invasion balancing and reward errors as of October 2025.^[95] Post-launch progression has drawn complaints for its grindy nature, especially in limited-time events requiring extensive repetition to unlock rewards, which players describe as excessive for those with limited playtime.^[96] Steam forums echo this, noting the "insane" grinding demanded during events, which detracts from core enjoyment despite overall positive mechanics.^[97] The core campaign's brevity has been a point of contention, with players completing primary trials and maps in a limited number of hours before encountering repetition, though full badge collection extends playtime to around 40-45 hours including co-op tasks.^[98] Feedback on narrative depth criticizes its arcade-like focus over the series' traditional storytelling, lacking the immersion and plot progression of prior Outlast titles.^[99] Co-op mode, while central to the design, dilutes the solo horror intensity valued in the franchise, as multiplayer reduces scares through coordination and diminishes tension compared to isolated play.^[100] Steam discussions affirm that group play inherently lessens fear, prioritizing teamwork over psychological dread.^[101] Player counts peaked at 36,689 concurrent on Steam in May 2023 but stabilized lower post-hype, averaging around 11,000 by late 2025, reflecting waning initial buzz yet sustained by updates like new trials that retain a dedicated base.^[93]

References

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Save 70% on The Outlast Trials on Steam
Rating 4.5 (29,191) Developer: Red Barrels. Publisher: Red Barrels. Franchise: Outlast. Release Date: Mar 5, 2024. Early Access Release Date: May 18, 2023. READ MORE. Is this game ...Sweet Release Pack · Buy Outlast Franchise Bundle · Reagent Starter Pack
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The Outlast Trials - Red Barrels
Set in the era of the Cold War, human guinea pigs are involuntarily recruited by the good folks at the Murkoff Corporation to test advanced methods of ...
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The Outlast Trials | Download and Buy Today - Epic Games Store
In stock 14-day returnsThe Outlast Trials is a horror survival game where you experience mind-numbing terror in the Cold War era, testing your sanity and endurance.
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Mar 5, 2024 · The Outlast Trials launches digitally on March 5, 2024 for PC, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox® Series X|S and Xbox One®.
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Rating 7/10 · Review by IGNThe Outlast Trials is a cooperative horror game set in the Cold War, where players are guinea pigs testing mind control methods, playable solo or online. It is ...
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The Outlast Trials Review - IGN
Rating 7/10 · Review by Travis NorthupMar 4, 2024 · For those tuning in to this multiplayer torture porn extravaganza for the first time, The Outlast Trials is a cooperative survival-horror game ...<|separator|>
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The Outlast Trials: the most-played new adventure release in March ...
Apr 30, 2024 · Developer and publisher Red Barrels first announced the game at the tail end of 2019, with a slated release in 2021. PC fans got early access to ...
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Mar 7, 2024 · As such, your only recourse is to run and hide. There are numerous hiding spots in levels, including lockers, desks, the trunks of vehicles, and ...
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Tips and Tricks - The Outlast Trials Guide - IGN
Jun 5, 2023 · Below, we'll list some key tips and tricks for surviving The Outlast Trials' main maps and evading their scariest inhabitants.
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May 24, 2023 · 1. WHEN RUNNING USE THE DOORS When you're running from an enemy, closing doors behind you will impede their movement and cut line of sight if ...
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Jun 1, 2023 · The only downside to night-vision goggles is that they require batteries to function properly. 5 Batteries: Never Leave Home Without Them.
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May 19, 2023 · Small/Large Battery: Recharges the night vision goggles. Can be found in the tool boxes and on the ground. Small ones can be found in door ...
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You can choose to complete the trials by yourself or you can tackle them in a team of 2, 3, or 4 players. Description. Set in the era of the Cold War, human ...
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May 20, 2023 · Online co-op is a unique feature for the Outlast series, but it's very useful in The Outlast Trials. Here's how to play multiplayer matches.
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Can You Play The Outlast Trials Solo? The Outlast Trials Single Player
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The Outlast Trials hits 1.0 release with new ending, single player ...
Mar 6, 2024 · The 1.0 release introduces a new ending, full controller support and crossplay with the just-launched console versions (though not cross-progression).<|separator|>
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How is the Solo Experience? :: The Outlast Trials General Discussions
Jan 13, 2025 · It's fully playable solo but it's made for coop in mind and usually easier. Plus side is you don't have to share resources or worry about other people messing ...Is there Single Player? :: The Outlast Trials General DiscussionsSingle Player :: The Outlast Trials General DiscussionsMore results from steamcommunity.comMissing: mode | Show results with:mode
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New Invasion Experimental Therapy, Geister is Back & More
Major Update | New Invasion Experimental Therapy, Geister is Back & More. TOT-Seasson04.2_PatchNotescover. October 21, 2025. The Outlast Trials ...
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[22]
How to Unlock Rigs In The Outlast Trials - Game Rant
May 22, 2023 · There are four Rigs in The Outlast Trials: Stun Rig: A projectile that releases an electric shock that temporarily stuns and disorients enemies.
[23]
The Outlast Trials: Best Rigs - TheGamer
May 21, 2023 · From night-vision goggles to lockpicks, anti-psychotic drugs, and healing items, the game provides you and your team with a wide array of ...
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The Outlast Trials – How To Unlock and Use Rigs - Wccftech
Jun 28, 2023 · You have four types of Rigs to choose from: Stun, Blind, Heal, and X-Ray. Each needs to be unlocked before being equipped, and this will cost ...
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What are all the ways to impact your trial grade? - Arqade
Jun 13, 2023 · In The Outlast Trials, you are given a personal grade (and a team grade) when you complete a trial. It is a letter-grade style score (A+, A, A- ...
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How To Get An A+ In The Outlast Trials - TheGamer
Mar 7, 2024 · As a general rule, if you want to get an A+ rank, aim to have two rankings at most in the red and at least ten in the black, and you'll likely get it.
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Jun 14, 2023 · Getting the top grade in The Outlast Trials is no easy task, but with these tips and a lot of practice, players can achieve it.
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[29]
Is there a point in rebirthing? :: The Outlast Trials General Discussions
Jan 25, 2025 · Is there a point in rebirthing? I feel like the only thing I got was a statue and that's it. Is there a reason in using the rebirth tokens?for anyone struggling Reborn Trial - Steam CommunitySad me with a question :: The Outlast Trials General DiscussionsMore results from steamcommunity.com
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The ultimate and indepth guide to being reborn in Outlast Trials
Mar 19, 2024 · Hey everyone, today we're going to be showing you all how to beat the final trial you need in order to be reborn. This final solo trial is ...
[31]
The Outlast Trials Story Explained & Walkthrough
The Outlast Trials is a prequel to the original Outlast game, set during the Cold War era (late 1950s–early 1960s). It tells the horrific origin.
[32]
The Outlast Trials redefines multiplayer horror - Epic Games Store
Oct 4, 2023 · Project MKUltra and the Sleep Room ... The Outlast Trials is heavily inspired by Project MKUltra, a top-secret CIA operation that lasted from 1953 ...
[33]
Project MKUltra - Outlast Wiki - Fandom
In Outlast's universe, some branches of MKUltra were overseen by the Murkoff Corporation over the course of the Cold War. One such branch was established in ...Missing: era | Show results with:era
[34]
'The Outlast Trials' Narrative & Level Designers Interview
Aug 15, 2025 · “Many of our trials are loosely inspired by real people or unsettling events from the 1950s-1960s; moments in time marked by tragedy, trauma, or ...
[35]
The Outlast Trials - Project Relapse: Escape Aftermath | Dev Log 2
Apr 30, 2025 · In this Dev Log, our Senior Narrative Designer delves into the ... Games Store → https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/the-outlast ...
[36]
The Outlast Trials Reveal Season Three Details & Date
Apr 17, 2025 · The Outlast Trials – Season Three: Project Relapse. Amelia's escape plan has been foiled, with the freedom fighter herself captured and ...
[37]
Build Your Own Nightmares as The Outlast Trials Season 3 ...
Apr 22, 2025 · The narrative takes a dark turn. “Nobody's leaving. No more release. No more rebirth.” Amelia's escape attempt has failed, and she now serves as ...Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
[38]
Every New Game Announcement at The Game Awards 2019 ... - IGN
Dec 13, 2019 · The awards show included more than a dozen new looks, game reveals, and more. So, without further belaboring the point, let's dive into everything showcased ...
[39]
The Outlast Trials: how Red Barrels created a scarily fun co-op ...
Jul 6, 2023 · Developer Red Barrels talks to us about The Outlast Trials, and turning its horror series into a Saw-style co-op survival game.
[40]
Rigs | Outlast Wiki - Fandom
Jammer - Disable electronic devices, unlock padlocked containers and doors. Each rig starts at level 1 and can be upgraded to level 8 through the use of ...
[41]
Trial #6: Design | The Outlast Trials - Behind the Scenes - YouTube
Sep 29, 2022 · The time has come to pull back the curtain on The Outlast Trials gameplay in our latest game design clip. Here's a glimpse into the game and ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[42]
Montreal's Red Barrels on the evolution of The Outlast Trials ...
Jul 27, 2024 · The independent Canadian developer wanted to challenge itself rather than do another single-player horror game, and that's how The Outlast Trials came about.
[43]
Full Documentary Making of The Outlast Trials - YouTube
Nov 11, 2023 · Props to releasing a successful horror co-op game. We know how very difficult it can be to scare people in a multiplayer environment.
[44]
The Outlast Trials Early Access coming May 18th, 2023 - Red Barrels
May 10, 2023 · We are excited to officially announced the Early Access release date for The Outlast Trials, which will come to Steam and Epic Games Store on May 18, 2023.
[45]
Early Access release of The Outlast Trials sells 500k copies in one ...
May 31, 2023 · Early Access release of The Outlast Trials sells 500k copies in one week ... Nearly 6 years after the last entry in the series, Outlast is back, ...
[46]
The Outlast Trials :: Update #2 - Steam
Greetings Reagents! This update brings bug fixes, quality-of-life improvements, and balance changes based on player feedback. This update also introduces a ...
[47]
The Outlast Trials Patch Notes | October 2023 – Update #3
Oct 26, 2023 · This latest update delves into a substantial amount of changes, enhancements, and new content, many of which are a result of all the feedback we obtained from ...
[48]
Steam :: The Outlast Trials :: State of Early Access & What's to Come
State of Early Access & What's to Come | Developer Update. Here's what we have been working on and what will be coming to The Outlast Trials Early Access!
[49]
Players are helping The Outlast Trials evolve in its first season ...
Jul 16, 2024 · With each completed Trial and secondary objective, players will unlock elements like Rigs (which grant players powers like healing teammates or ...
[50]
Outlast Trials V1.0 Launch Patch Notes - Reddit
Mar 5, 2024 · Outlast Trials is now available for all consoles! For those that have been with us since early access, there have been some changes.Is the Outlast Trials crossplay with pc, ps5 and xbox? - RedditDoes outlast trials have cross gen play? - RedditMore results from www.reddit.comMissing: ports | Show results with:ports
[51]
Crossplay :: The Outlast Trials General Discussions
Mar 4, 2024 · The console players have a newer version of the game so the only way we'll be able to play with them is if we get an update to our games to match up theirs.Missing: ports | Show results with:ports
[52]
The Outlast Trials crossplay: How to play with friends cross-platform
Mar 6, 2024 · With the release of version 1.0, Red Barrels enabled the crossplay feature which means you can play across all platforms. During the early ...
[53]
Latest Outlast Trials Patch Notes 1.0 Update - March 2024
Mar 5, 2024 · The Outlast Trials is now available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X. · Experience full controller support, vibrations, ...Missing: preparation | Show results with:preparation
[54]
Outlast Trials Now Out on Xbox and PlayStation - Rely on Horror
Mar 6, 2024 · As well as being out on consoles now, Trials is also cross-play, which means you can play with others no matter which platform you're on. The ...Missing: changes | Show results with:changes
[55]
The Outlast Trials Launch March 5th | Developer Update
Feb 21, 2024 · The Outlast Trials Launch March 5th | Developer Update. View full event information here: The Outlast Trials Announcement Feb 21, 2024. The ...
[56]
The Outlast Trials launches in Early Access on May 18 - Gematsu
Mar 10, 2023 · The Outlast Trials will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on May 18, developer Red Barrels announced.
[57]
The Outlast Trials is Out Now in Early Access on PC - GamingBolt
May 19, 2023 · The Outlast Trials is out now in early access. The game is available on PC through Steam and Epic Games Store, and is priced at $29.99.<|separator|>
[58]
The Outlast Trials Early Access Multiplayer Online Fix - YouTube
May 19, 2023 · ... Launch The Game Through "Launcher.exe", which is located in the ... Server : Use the terminal - Invite Friends and wait for them to ...
[59]
[SERVER DISCONNECT ISSUE] :: The Outlast Trials General ...
Apr 27, 2024 · Lately it's been kicking entire parties so when anyone tries to rejoin it will tell you the party no longer exist.
[60]
The Outlast Trials Early Access Review – Cooperative Horror Done ...
Rating 8/10 · Review by Shunal DokeMay 22, 2023 · With The Outlast Trials, developer Red Barrels is trying something new by bringing a co-op horror experience. How well does this work out?
[61]
The Outlast Trials :: Early Access Date Announcement - Steam
We are excited to officially announce the Early Access release date for The Outlast Trials, which will come to Steam and Epic Games Store on May 18, 2023.
[62]
The Outlast Trials is out in early access in May | Eurogamer.net
Mar 11, 2023 · Red Barrels' third Outlast game, The Outlast Trials, will release in May 2023. The co-operative four-player horror game – which some of you may have ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[63]
Outlast Trials launch Q&A - Reddit
Mar 4, 2024 · A: The Outlast Trials will release at approximately 10AM ET on March 5th. Q: Will cross play be available day 1 between all consoles and PC? A: ...Is Outlast Trials fully out or is it just early access still? - RedditOutlast Trials coming out to consoles on March 5, 2024! - RedditMore results from www.reddit.com
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The Outlast Trials - PlayStation Store
$$39.99 Free deliveryThe Outlast Trials ; Platform: PS4, PS5 ; Release: 3/5/2024 ; Publisher: Red Barrels ; Genres: Horror ; Voice: English, French (France) ...
[65]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example_tga2019
[66]
FREE The Outlast Trials Beta on Steam - GG.deals
Oct 30, 2022 · During the beta, players will be able to play the game's introduction. You can explore the in-game lobby, customize your character and take part ...
[67]
"Trick-or-Trial? Red Barrels Unveils Halloween Update For The ...
Oct 18, 2023 · Subjects are invited to experience a new Trial and content updates from October 26. Plus, additional treats include Steam and Epic Games Store ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[68]
The Outlast Trials: The Halloween Event "Program Geister" Explained
Oct 26, 2023 · The Halloween update for Outlast Trials comes with a new program and the event "Program Geister". Here you can find all the info about it.
[69]
Dev Stream The Outlast Trials | ️ Celebrating Halloween with ...
Nov 1, 2024 · Happy Halloween Reagents! Join our Community Developer, Rosie, Asistant Art Director, Hugo, UI Artist, Roxx, and Video Game Lore Goblin, ...
[70]
The Outlast Trials Goes 1.0 And Comes To Consoles In March
Dec 8, 2023 · During The Game Awards, we learned that The Outlast Trials is wrapping up its time in PC early access and is heading to consoles next March.<|separator|>
[71]
The Outlast Trials Patches and Updates - SteamDB
Rating 92% (75,973) Early Access Release Date, 18 May 2023 – 00:00:00 UTC ( 2.4 years ago ). Anti-Cheat Software, Easy Anti-Cheat - Requires manual removal after game uninstall.
[72]
Patch Notes for The Outlast Trials - PatchBot
Sep 9, 2025 · PatchBot will keep your Discord channel up-to-date on all the latest The Outlast Trials patch notes.
[73]
Update #3 Patch Notes | New Trial, Limited Time Programs, & More!
Oct 26, 2023 · The Screamer has undergone significant changes. The stun effect has been eliminated, and players who are subject to the scream will experience a brief period ...New Update Patch Notes : r/OutlastTrials - RedditWhere are the update patch notes? : r/OutlastTrials - RedditMore results from www.reddit.com
[74]
Seasons :: The Outlast Trials General Discussions - Steam Community
Jul 17, 2024 · Season 1 is not going to expire, they have stated in the patch notes that it'll be here forever. That is why there isn't a end date.<|control11|><|separator|>
[75]
The Outlast Trials - Prime Time Patch Notes - New Update Out Now!
Take part in the Prime Time Event and face Coyle and Gooseberry with their new permanent special abilities in the Trials.
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New event Prime Time is finally here! (Patch notes in comments)
May 28, 2024 · Prime Time is HERE and Sergeant Coyle and Mother Gooseberry are center stage! Featuring new Prime Asset abilities, this update may be the deadliest yet!
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The Outlast Trials | New Update - Under Surveillance ... - Red Barrels
Mar 25, 2025 · The one year anniversary items up for grabs include: an E.S.O.P. skin, a Player Border, a Player Icon, a Legendary 1 year cake Cell Item, Epic ...
[78]
Steam :: The Outlast Trials :: Year One Anniversary & Dev Update
The Outlast Trials has had an eventful year and the Sinyala Facility will be seeing some movement very soon. Our next update will be released on March 25.
[79]
News - Red Barrels
December 10, 2024 / Project Breach Update Patch Notes | Season 2, New Environment, Winter Kills and more!
[80]
The Outlast Trials Season 3 Launches April 22nd with Trial Maker ...
Apr 17, 2025 · Launching on April 22, the new chapter extinguishes all hope of future escape and promises a frightening new phase for Murkoff's twisted ...<|separator|>
[81]
The Outlast Trials Preview - A Close Encounter With Season 3's ...
Apr 18, 2025 · Developer Red Barrels. Release March 5, 2024. Rating Mature. The Outlast Trials' third season arrives on April 22, kicking off Project Relapse ...
[82]
Hotfix Patch Notes | Invasion - October 24th - Red Barrels
Fixed an issue with continuing as Reagents after a Global or Friend Invasion. It should now properly launch an Invasion Trial. Remember that you ...
[83]
The Outlast Trials Reviews - Metacritic
The Outlast Trials is by far the best co-op horror experience on console right now. The intensity and the well-crafted design of each trial make you want to ...Critic ReviewsUser ReviewsFull Credits & Details
[84]
The Outlast Trials Reviews - OpenCritic
The Outlast Trials is rated 'Fair' after being reviewed by 65 critics, with an overall average score of 72. It's ranked in the top 49% of games...
[85]
The Outlast Trials review | GamesRadar+
Rating 4.0 Mar 4, 2024 · FAST FACTS. Release date: March 5, 2024. Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X, PS5, PS4, Xbox One Developer: In house. Publisher: Red Barrels ; Genre ...
[86]
Review : The Outlast Trials : Grotesque Horror Party
Mar 4, 2024 · When it comes to gameplay, each player can pick between four different rigs: the stun, heal, mine, and x-ray rig. ... For me it's the atmosphere, ...
[87]
The Outlast Trials review - GodisaGeek.com
Rating 4.0 · Review by Chris WhiteApr 22, 2024 · The Outlast Trials is in better shape now it's out of Early Access, and while AI and fixes have been made, it's still light on content.
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The Outlast Trials Review - Game Rant
Rating 7/10 · Review by Brie HobanMar 4, 2024 · The Outlast Trials 1.0 is a delightfully disturbing multiplayer experience, but a lack of polish and scares may leave some disappointed.
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The Outlast Trials has sold over 500k copies in its first week ... - Reddit
May 27, 2023 · The Outlast Trials has sold over 500k copies in its first week in Early Access and we could not be more proud!The Outlast Trials Early Access has sold 500000 copies in its first weekThe Outlast Trials has sold more than 1.5 million copies in Early ...More results from www.reddit.com
[90]
Outlast Trials Sales Hit Impressive Milestone - Yahoo
Jul 18, 2023 · It's worth stating that the game is still in early access, so this milestone is equally impressive. The developer is not resting on its laurels.
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The Outlast Trials clocks up 3 million players since launch | News-in ...
Mar 11, 2025 · The Outlast Trials clocks up 3 million players since launch. News-in-brief: Red Barrels' brutal co-op horror celebrates first year with all-new review trailer.
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The Outlast Trials Steam stats | Gamalytic
Copies sold: 2.3m (1.4m - 3.3m). Gross revenue (base game):. $54.5m ($32m - $77.1m). Gross revenue total (experimental): Upgrade to Starter to unlock this.
[93]
The Outlast Trials Steam Charts - SteamDB
Rating 92% (76,132) Steam player count for The Outlast Trials is currently 11313 players live. The Outlast Trials had an all-time peak of 36689 concurrent players on 21 May 2023.
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Server connection issues : r/OutlastTrials - Reddit
May 12, 2025 · I mean, they've had server issues getting successively worse since Season 1 so this just sounds like typical RB issues. You can use the Discord ...Bad Servers or Bad Connection? : r/OutlastTrials - Redditoutlast trials has been borderline unplayable lately : r/OutlastTrialsMore results from www.reddit.comMissing: instability | Show results with:instability
[95]
https://twistedvoxel.com/the-outlast-trials-hotfix-addresses-invasion-balancing-and-key-gameplay-issues/
[96]
Timed events are too grindy for people with lives : r/OutlastTrials
Mar 31, 2025 · It's tough. But an hour or two every couple nights is about all I need. I may not get everything, but I unlock what I want and have a good time.Anyone else regret playing during Early Access due to progression ...How is trials? : r/outlast - RedditMore results from www.reddit.comMissing: feedback | Show results with:feedback
[97]
Look I know grinding is a thing in games - Steam Community
Sep 10, 2024 · And I love this game. I genuinely really enjoy it, but the grinding they expect from you during these limited time events is insane.event too grindy :: The Outlast Trials General DiscussionsUnnecessarily gating off previous trials, other ramblingsMore results from steamcommunity.comMissing: player | Show results with:player
[98]
Length of a single "playthrough"? :: The Outlast Trials General ...
Dec 11, 2023 · I heard in a review that there are only a really limited amount of maps and you can complete all of them in a very short amount of time.
[99]
How's the single-player? :: The Outlast Trials General Discussions
Mar 5, 2024 · well it's definitely more arcadey than your average outlast game, don't expect an in-depth narrative, since it's supposed to feel more like " ...
[100]
how much am i missing out on by playing The Outlast Trials by myself?
Jun 10, 2023 · Imo, the game is way more fun solo. Like all horror games, co-op makes it lose its horror factor. With a decent team (by that I mean one ...Playing The Outlast Trials single player - RedditPlaying alone vs playing coop (Outlast Trials) - RedditMore results from www.reddit.comMissing: feedback | Show results with:feedback
[101]
https://steamcommunity.com/app/1304930/discussions/0/4302697906486667318/