74
MONSTER
The Outlast Trials is a survival horror game you can play by yourself or with other players online. You'll have to survive the twisted, sadistic and bizarre experiments of the Murkoff Corporation, alone or in a group up to 4 players.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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73
The Outlast Trials impresses with its Cold War setting and cooperative gameplay, but critics slam its shallow narrative and underdeveloped characters. While the horror premise intrigues, the focus on mechanics over storytelling leaves many players craving a richer experience. Ideal for those who prioritize gameplay, but narrative seekers may be disappointed.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
73
Positive Reviews (80-100)
62%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
35%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
4%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
The Outlast Trials impresses with its Cold War setting and cooperative gameplay, but critics slam its shallow narrative and underdeveloped characters. While the horror premise intrigues, the focus on mechanics over storytelling leaves many players craving a richer experience. Ideal for those who prioritize gameplay, but narrative seekers may be disappointed.
Gameplay Mechanics
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73
The Outlast Trials impresses with its innovative cooperative mechanics and survival puzzle elements, fostering teamwork and strategic gameplay. Critics praise its engaging multiplayer experience and new features like the psychosis bar. However, it falters due to repetitiveness, predictable AI, and a lack of depth, leading to a dull single-player experience. While it succeeds in creating a tense atmosphere, many warn that the excitement may wane over time, leaving players wanting more variety and substance in their trials.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
73
Positive Reviews (80-100)
46%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
46%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
7%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
The Outlast Trials impresses with its innovative cooperative mechanics and survival puzzle elements, fostering teamwork and strategic gameplay. Critics praise its engaging multiplayer experience and new features like the psychosis bar. However, it falters due to repetitiveness, predictable AI, and a lack of depth, leading to a dull single-player experience. While it succeeds in creating a tense atmosphere, many warn that the excitement may wane over time, leaving players wanting more variety and substance in their trials.
Graphics and Visual Design
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82
The Outlast Trials impresses with its stunning graphics and immersive visual design, earning praise for detailed environments and unsettling imagery that enhance the horror experience. Critics highlight effective lighting and smooth performance on next-gen consoles. However, some note issues like repetitive asset design and lackluster enemy designs, suggesting room for improvement. Overall, the game is celebrated for its high-quality visuals that effectively contribute to its chilling atmosphere.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
82
Positive Reviews (80-100)
81%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
19%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
The Outlast Trials impresses with its stunning graphics and immersive visual design, earning praise for detailed environments and unsettling imagery that enhance the horror experience. Critics highlight effective lighting and smooth performance on next-gen consoles. However, some note issues like repetitive asset design and lackluster enemy designs, suggesting room for improvement. Overall, the game is celebrated for its high-quality visuals that effectively contribute to its chilling atmosphere.
Music and Sound Design
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78
The Outlast Trials delivers a haunting auditory experience, with Tom Salta’s chilling score and precise environmental audio praised for amplifying horror. Critics laud the immersive sound effects and directional audio enhancing co-op gameplay, but voice acting and some technical issues (like abrupt cutoffs) draw mixed reviews. Overall, the sound design successfully heightens tension and atmosphere, though there's room for improvement.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
78
Positive Reviews (80-100)
79%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
21%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
The Outlast Trials delivers a haunting auditory experience, with Tom Salta’s chilling score and precise environmental audio praised for amplifying horror. Critics laud the immersive sound effects and directional audio enhancing co-op gameplay, but voice acting and some technical issues (like abrupt cutoffs) draw mixed reviews. Overall, the sound design successfully heightens tension and atmosphere, though there's room for improvement.
Voice Acting
NA
TL;DR
voice acting
Description unavailable
Technical Performance
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68
The Outlast Trials shines on Xbox Series X and S with smooth performance and solid 60 FPS, earning praise for stability and minimal bugs. Conversely, the PS5 version struggles with significant bugs and long loading times, impacting gameplay. The PC version shows mixed reviews, facing issues like loading delays and audio problems. Overall, Xbox offers the best experience, while PS5 and PC need fixes to enhance player enjoyment.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
68
Positive Reviews (80-100)
33%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
58%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
8%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
The Outlast Trials shines on Xbox Series X and S with smooth performance and solid 60 FPS, earning praise for stability and minimal bugs. Conversely, the PS5 version struggles with significant bugs and long loading times, impacting gameplay. The PC version shows mixed reviews, facing issues like loading delays and audio problems. Overall, Xbox offers the best experience, while PS5 and PC need fixes to enhance player enjoyment.
Replay Value
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65
The Outlast Trials boasts appealing features like character customization, cooperative gameplay, and weekly challenges that enhance replay value, attracting players. However, critics warn that repetitive missions and limited content could undermine long-term engagement, suggesting the game needs to address these issues for sustainable appeal.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
65
Positive Reviews (80-100)
26%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
63%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
11%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
The Outlast Trials boasts appealing features like character customization, cooperative gameplay, and weekly challenges that enhance replay value, attracting players. However, critics warn that repetitive missions and limited content could undermine long-term engagement, suggesting the game needs to address these issues for sustainable appeal.
Overall Verdict
74
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
74
Positive Reviews (80-100)
49%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
49%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
The Outlast Trials impresses with its cooperative gameplay and chilling horror atmosphere, earning praise for its engaging multiplayer experience. Critics highlight its strong visuals and sound design, calling it a "masterpiece" in cooperative horror. However, it suffers from a weak story, repetitive gameplay, and technical flaws, raising concerns over long-term enjoyment, especially for solo players. While it’s a solid choice for horror fans with friends, it needs more depth and content to truly shine.
74
MONSTER
Reviews
90 reviews found90
Movies Games and Tech
Jun 13, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The Outlast Trials is a masterpiece in blending cooperative gameplay with the iconic horror of the series. It offers exhilarating and terrifying gameplay moments, unforgettable characters and enemies, stunning visuals, and top-notch sound design. The game's balance between story and gameplay, along with its presentation and design, make it a must-play for horror fans.
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85
Checkpoint Gaming
Mar 8, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The Outlast Trials provides a brutally fresh twist to the franchise, offering a seamless cooperative horror experience that is both horrifying and fun to survive together. Solo play may be more tedious, but the matchmaking system helps alleviate this issue, with more content on the way to keep players engaged.
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85
KeenGamer
Oct 8, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The Outlast Trials delivers a unique co-op horror experience with a disturbing story, engaging gameplay, impressive visuals, and immersive sound design. It is recommended for players seeking a different multiplayer horror experience.
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83
Player 2
Apr 5, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The Outlast Trials provides an intense and gory horror experience that is well-balanced, engaging, and offers a unique gameplay experience that horror fans should definitely consider trying, with potential for long-term enjoyment and replayability.
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83
SomosXbox
Mar 4, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A solid cooperative horror game but lacks the essence that made Outlast stand out in the genre.
82
MeuPlayStation
Mar 17, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Recommended for horror fans looking for a thrilling cooperative gameplay experience with a fair in-game monetization system and regular content updates.
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80
GamersRD
Mar 4, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The Outlast Trials delivers a surprising cooperative survival horror experience, maintaining series gameplay elements while elevating them. Visually disturbing and strategically challenging, especially in multiplayer.
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80
GameSkinny
Mar 7, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The Outlast Trials is recommended as a solid experience for fans of Outlast and horror games, offering a terrifying gameplay that can be completed in about four hours with potential for growth.
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80
COGconnected
Mar 19, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The Outlast Trials offers fun group mechanics, excellent level design, and a terrifying experience. It may be too extreme for some players and lacks variety for solo play, but has a strong foundation that could benefit from additional content in the future.
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80
TheXboxHub
Mar 18, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The Outlast Trials delivers a visually and atmospherically captivating horror experience, with a unique multiplayer approach that may not be as satisfying story-wise as previous titles but excels in creating a terrifying cooperative gameplay experience.
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