Outlast Reviews:
a)
Genre
Within the Telegraphs review of Outlast, they
identify the genre as a horror, thriller game by analysing the games
atmosphere, “It’s the noise that really gets you in Outlast’s Mount Massive
Asylum. The creak of each floorboard, the moaning of each bough in this
decrepit madhouse, the steady whumph of a ceiling fan dripping blood, the dull
tone of a phone left off the hook, faraway screams that curdle the veins and
your own panicked, desperate struggle for breath.”
Within a
review from Gamespot it slightly
depicts the genre of which Outlast may fall into, simply by describing the how
tense and terrifying the game is. “You're always in danger, and when that
danger is nipping at your heels and all you can do is flee, desperately hoping
to shake off your pursuer, Outlast is a terrifying roller-coaster ride.” The
thought of the game being a thriller is also shown throughout the review as the
writer notes how he is apprehensive at times during the game, “every shadowy
room fills you with apprehension, since you never know when someone might be
waiting to leap out at you.”
In a review
from Polygon the genre of Outlast is
highlighted straight away within the opening lines, whilst depicting what makes
it a horror game, as well as stating that it takes inspiration from previous
survival horror games. “Outlast manages to squeeze new kinds of scares out of
the very basic, very primal human fear of being chased…It taps into other
sources of terror well-trod by its survival horror predecessors”. The review
later goes on to describe the way in which Outlast creates the genre of horror,
as well as giving their opinion on the pace of the game which ultimately
lessens how ‘scary’ the game is, “Outlast weaves together a web of jump scares
and scripted eviscerations, which, while fairly well paced, do not always hit
the mark.”
The YouTube review by TGN begins by stating
that the games genre is horror, “Outlast is the new horror game by red barrels”
and goes on to joke that they had a “sleepless night” after playing the game
through. It later goes on to describe the game as adopting very traditional
aspects of the horror genre, “It’s very traditional horror, you’ve got your
jump scares, your chase scares, the limited battery life on your night vision,
thunderstorms, curtains blowing in the wind, an asylum…it doesn’t suggest
originality and yet red barrels managed to do something that feels fresh” It
also goes on to describe how the atmosphere within the game, including the
audio, create a horror/thriller like atmosphere, “the audio is strong,
breathing echoes in your ears, always harsh and ragged but becoming
increasingly panicked as danger approaches…the forced awareness of your own
presence is a terrifying way of drawing you into the game and putting you in
the shoes of a faceless avatar”.
b)
Target
audience
The Telegraphs review suggests that the
game is for those who are older as the player says that, “Outlast put me on
such edge that every door I peeked into or ladder I climbed, I was bracing
myself for shocks that never came.” This would suggest to the reader that the game
is not for the light-hearted, or for children to play. “Outlast’s haunted house
is so brutally effective at keeping you afraid...”
Gamespot indirectly explains that the
game is aimed towards those who are older. It frequently talks about the
“Unspeakable horrors” which have evidently taken place within Mount Massive,
maybe suggesting that the game is not for children, “Mount Massive's crumbling
walls and bloodstained floors successfully create the illusion that you're in a
once-functioning facility where unspeakable horrors have occurred”.
Polygon talks about Outlast as being a
‘survival horror’ game, as well as describing how stunned the player was upon
discovering the terrifying setting, this would suggest that the game is not
necessarily suitable for those of a younger age, “pretty much every wall of the
asylum is caked in gore; the setting actually kind of undercuts itself with the
almost comical amount of viscera strewn across the grounds.”
Whilst the YouTube review is not outspoken about
the target audience of the game, it suggests as those it’s for an older age
range, as well as for hard-core gamers as it later talks about the ‘several
hours’ of gameplay in which the player goes through in order to complete the
game. The horror genre would also suggest that the game is for those who enjoy
scares, “The world is so rich and dense with threats that you’ll be constantly
trying to second-guess the developers, desperately trying to predict the source
of the next scare and so distracted that you rarely see it coming”
c)
Storyline
The Telegraph identifies the storyline
within Outlast quite simply, they state who you are and why you’re at the
location that features within the game. “You are Miles Upshur, a journalist leads
to the asylum by an anonymous tip suggesting shady goings-on at the
corporate-owned madhouse.” They also mention how they feel as though the
storyline is a problem with the game, “The main issue, however, is the story.
Most of Outlast’s sparse narrative is told through discarded hospital documents
and Upshur’s own manically scribbled notes”, they then go on to say that the
method is effective enough and balances the contrast between the technical medical
notes and the character’s sparse diary entries. The review also briefly states
what happens throughout the game, as it goes on to say “while a crazed ‘priest’
stops you from escaping while organising his own crazed cult”, which slightly
gives away part of the storyline.
A review from Gamespot describes how the player is at
a place called ‘Mount Massive’ in order to investigate allegations that have
recently arisen. As well as recognising that the game is played in first person
and how the environment contributes to the genre of the game. “Drawn by an
anonymous tip, you come to Mount Massive to investigate allegations that an
unscrupulous corporation is doing horrible things to mental patients in the
pursuit of profits. You move through Mount Massive in first person…Mount
Massive is supposed to be a place with a long, dark history, and as you make your
way through it, you come to believe that it has been home to many horrors over
the decades” As well as this, it identifies that the game includes classical
elements of horror, with your character being chased throughout the asylum,
“You're hunted through much of Mount Massive by a massive man who doesn't
hesitate to rip your heart right out of your chest if he gets his hands on
you.”
The storyline
within the Polygon review is only
briefly mentioned, it talks about the environment of the Mount Massive Asylum
later one within the review but to begin with states the basics of the plot,
“Following a lead, he (Miles Upshur) enters the dilapidated Mount Massive
Asylum armed only with a notebook and night vision-equipped video camera.”
However, the review does go on to talk about how the main character encounters
patients within the asylum who disrupt his investigation, “Just about every
patient is self-mutilated, gaunt and partially nude, either locked in a
catatonic state or screaming obscenities while grabbing at the player through
the bars in their cells.”
The IGN review which was featured on YouTube mentions the storyline of
Outlast within the first few minutes of the video, it tells the viewer how the
character arrives at Mount Massive Asylum after receiving an anonymous tip
about abuse that may be taking place, it then goes on to say who the character
is and the equipment they have with them, “after receiving a tip about abuse at
the Mount Massive Asylum, Journalist Miles Upshur decided to
investigate…alone…at night, armed with nothing but a camcorder…the gates shut
leaving you alone”.
d)
Characters
The Telegraph review mentions the main
character within the game, Miles Upshur, as well as the tormenting villains
throughout the game, “recurring menace named Chris Walker”. The review does not
mention any other characters that are within the game by name, but does hint at
there being a ‘crazed priest’.
The Gamespot review briefly explains the
simplicity of the character, and how they have a simple set of skills, “You're
not a cop or a soldier or a genetically enhanced superhero. You are just a
reporter”.
Polygon mention the main character of
the game, Mile Upshur, and give a brief description of who he is, “Outlast
casts you in the shoes of reporter Miles Upshur, a tenacious investigator with
very few self-preservation instincts”. The review also talks about some of the
other characters within the game which include ‘violent’ patients and monsters
within the asylum who torment the main character.
The YouTube review talks about the main
character within the game, “Journalist, Miles Upshur”, and goes on to state the
equipment which he has with them, as well as briefly mentioning the inmates
within the asylum who often chase and torment the lead character.
e)
Gameplay
The Telegraph’s review identifies the key
equipment within the game, as well as how vital the equipment is, “This camera
is essential to Outlast’s atmosphere and the only piece of equipment you will
ever use. Most of your trip through Mount Massive’s bowels will be seen through
the camera’s viewfinder…...the video camera also serves as a life-saving tool,
with its night vision mode used to negotiate the blacker depths of the asylum”.
It also notes what the characters can do throughout the game, which they
identify is very little, “There is no combat in Outlast and no way to defend
yourself against knife wielding nutcases”. The review also states that Outlast
is a first-person game, as well as that there is “a pleasing physicality to
Outlast that many first-person games fail to evoke”. The review talks about the
way the character can move and look around, to the extent that the player can
see his own legs, as well as this, it states that its ‘clever’ within the way
it keeps the player curious about who, within the asylum, is a threat. “It’s
also very clever in keeping you guessing over which inmates are threats.”. The
review also takes note of other features within the game that you interact
with, “your progression is occasionally blocked by busywork such as turning
valves or finding fuses, clichéd objectives that bog down the pace of the
game.” It also mentions that length of the game play, being around five hours
long, however later the player gives their opinion that this is longer that the
game can sustain.
Within a
review from Gamespot, they identify
the lack of control the player has within the game, as there are limited skills
in which the character has. “You don't possess many skills with which you can
fend off the hulking brutes, knife-wielding stalkers, and other homicidal… You
can't shoot them, or punch them…You can only run and hide.” The review also
depicts how the game allows the players to discover tracks in order to continue
within the game themselves, without the game just doing all the work.
“Outlast…requires you to go hunting for the track yourself”. As well as this,
the review states that the game is played in first person, which allows the
player to feel the movements within the game in a more realistic way. Gamespot
briefly mentions some of the equipment in which the character has access to, referring
to the camcorder whilst describing the atmosphere within the asylum, “you can
penetrate that darkness with your trusty camcorder's night vision”. The review
recognises objects in which the character interacts with throughout the game in
order to continue playing Outlast, “You…venture off of your narrow route a bit
to find batteries to power your camcorder's night vision or documents that shed
a bit of light on what has taken place at the asylum”. It also hints at what
the characters aim may be when being chased by the monster within Mount
Massive, “finding a locker to hide in or a bed to slide under”.
Polygon starts describing the gameplay
early on, whilst first talking about one of the abilities in which the main
character can perform, which they give their opinion on as being ‘impractical’,
“Outlasts modus operandi is found in
a single, completely impractical ability: While running away from a pursuer,
you can look over your shoulder to catch a glimpse of the monster that wants to
tear you apart.” The review also talks about the way in which the game can
either become extremely scary or not, depending on the options in which the
player makes, “Where Outlast shines is in its moments of emergent horror; the
optional moments that occur entirely at the will of the player. Unlike many
survival horror games, Outlast will only scare the bejeezus out of you if you
really want it to.” The review talks about the equipment in which the lead role
has upon entering the asylum, as well as giving a brief description of what
each thing does, “…armed only with a notebook and night vision-equipped video
camera. The former provides all of Upshur's colourful internal monologue, as
his mental state steadily deteriorates as he witnesses the facility's horrors.
The latter lets him see in Mount Massive's pervasive darkness, though it chews
through batteries faster than an overclocked Game Gear…The night vision effect
is one of the scariest things Outlast has going for it, as it cuts the player's
depth of view to just a few feet in front of them. The camera also serves as a
documentation tool, expanding Upshur's insight into Mount Massive's operation
when he captures footage of certain, especially horrifying set pieces.” The
review talks about how the character has no weapon in order to defend
themselves throughout the game, “You never wield a weapon throughout the course
of Outlast's campaign; the only real power you're afforded is the ability to
see in the dark, provided you've found enough batteries in the environment to
keep your camera powered.” Polygon explain how the patients/monsters within the
asylum interact with the main character and the way in which the player can go
about escaping them, “When you do encounter a violent patient, your only option
is to flee until you can break line-of-sight — an enterprise aided by closing
doors in your wake or vaulting over obstacles — and find an adequate hiding
spot. The latter strategy is far from fool proof, as your pursuer will spend
some time turning over the room he last saw you in.” Checkpoints is another
thing that is mentioned by Polygon, as they explain that it is alright if you
die frequently as Outlast contains many checkpoints throughout the game, “Even
if you manage to die, Outlast is liberal with its checkpoints.”
The YouTube review by IGN begins talking about the gameplay with the identification that
the game is played in first person, this is presented through the physical
presence created within the game, “where many first person games will forgo
proper character models, Outlast provides you with legs and arms that respond
naturally with the environment around you, your hands will rest against all
frames as you lean cautiously outwards, legs will stretch ahead as you creep
downstairs with your arms taking the weight as you do…” It also explains that
the game includes several tasks of ‘sneaking’, as well as the player
encountering many jump scares and having to ‘carefully manage light resources’.
It also hints at some of the other activities within the game, stating that
these are its strongest moments, “It’s at its strongest when its simplest,
driving you relentlessly forward by fear and instinct…Enemies often patrol
specific points but without a fixed route forcing emergency retreats as inmates
swivel and come hunting for you, they actively seek out sources of noise and
randomly search hiding places when nearby, and the tension as the locker next
to yours is yanked open is heart-stopping.” The review goes on to explain other
activities within the game which the player must complete in order to advance
within the game, also hinting that often this is where the game may lose pace,
“…the final levels begin to drag, it’s not helped by the fact that the many
obstacles encountered in the course of the game are contrived fetch quests,
‘the generator is broken turn on two gas pumps to fix it’ ‘the pipe is blocked,
turn two valves to release the water’, the strangely artificial tasks which
feel out of place in an otherwise unpredictable place and outlast would benefit
by having some of the fat stripped from its bones.”
f)
Platforms
The Telegraph Review states simply that the
game is available on PlayStation 4 and PC, whilst saying that the game was
tested on the PS4 in order to complete the review, however no comparison or
notes are made on the accessibility/play-through experience of playing the game
on PS4.
The Gamespot review of Outlast is based on
the gameplay for PS4 however does not mention throughout the review that this
is the platform in which the game was played on, in order to identify any
special features, etc., which may have been useful throughout the game.
To the side of
the review, Polygon states which
platforms Outlast is available on (PS4 and Xbox One), however refrains from
informing the reader which console the game was played on in order to from the
review.
Within the
review by IGN on YouTube, they don’t mention any
platform in which Outlast is playable, or what console the game was played on
in order to create the review.
The overall
personal review of the film from the Telegraphs
review, states that whilst the game was entertaining enough and will stay
with the player forever due to the jump scares, etc., the player is more likely
to look out for new games from the upcoming developer. “While the ending will
stay with me for all the wrong reasons, my main memories of Outlast will be of
a deliriously scary debut by a developer destined to go far”. The reviewer also
goes on to explain that they feel as though the silly actions throughout the
game ‘spoils’ the atmosphere in which Outlast had ‘carefully cultivated’.
Overall, the Gamespot review concludes that although
the game is terrifying to play through the first time, it can get less
exciting/scary, the more you have to play again in order to advance within the
game, before deciding overall that the game takes the player on a very exciting
journey. “When you need to repeat scenarios, Outlast's gameplay takes on a rote
feeling of trial and error…In the end, though, Outlast's few weak moments are
overshadowed by the effectiveness with which it so often gets inside your head
and scares the hell out of you. You sometimes end up feeling like you're just
going through the motions the game requires you to go through, but when the
ride is as well designed as this, the best thing to do is just get in and hold
on tight.
Polygon overall concludes that whilst
the game is ‘never frustrating’, which can be a common issue amongst other
survival horror games, the game doesn’t ‘establish a fear of failure’, which is
one of the main strengths in which a horror should have, whilst overall rating
the game 7.5/10. “Outlast’s general lack of difficulty sounds damning, but it’s
actually a double-edged sword. All survival horror games struggle with the
mechanics of simulating danger with virtual death without being annoying about
it. Outlast leans heavily on the latter — it doesn't establish a fear of
failure, which kind of neglects one of the biggest strengths that interactive
horror has going for it, but it's never frustrating; a boon few other horror
games can claim.”
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