A Survival Horror Gem
*Spoilers*
When Playstation revealed that this game was going to be free for PSPlus members, I was stoked. From the moment I saw the trailer, I knew this game was going to have me hooked. I was excited to play a game that took a toll on you mentally and boy was I in for a ride.
You play as nothing more than a reporter armed with a video camera sent to investigate Mount Massive Asylum after receiving a tip off from someone inside. Of course you decide to pay the place a visit during a thunderstorm only to find the doors are locked and you are forced to sneak in through a window. My biggest issue with the game is the story. The main story of this game is confusing enough, but to even have a clue as to what is going on requires a variety of documents scattered across the asylum. I personally do not like hunting down documents and trying to piece together what is actually going on, but I do see how this adds to the mystery and creepiness of the game. Not only is the story confusing, but this game is a TROLL. You will constantly find yourself having to travel deeper and deeper within the asylum because you have to fix things that have been sabotaged (turn on power, turn on water valve, etc.). This does make the game seem very repetitive at points.
One of my favorite things about this game is how it makes you feel helpless and weak. You can not fight, only run and hide. As if that was not enough, the only way to traverse the pitch black asylum is with your night vision video camera, but the threat of battery running out is a constant threat. Word of advice...hoard batteries. You do NOT want to find yourself roaming the halls in the dark. Another highlight of this game is the characters. There is only a couple characters of significance, but they really add to the environment. Father Martin is instantly hated when he decides to turn off the power when you are trying to escape. You spend a better part of the game hunting him down only to finally confront him as he crucifies himself and sets fire to the asylum. Then there is the psycho doctor. This guy takes you right to the exit only to pull you away deeper into the building. He then proceeds to cut off some of your fingers and leave you for dead. However, you do get some sweet revenge later when he is crushed by the elevator.
The ending...where do I even start. I do not think I have ever been so mad at the end of a game in my life. Don't get me wrong, I did not think the ending was bad. In fact, it was brilliant. The game managed to capture every emotion: fear, terror, anger. Your character has literally gone through hell and you begin to bond with the guy who is experiencing this terror with you. After you think you have rid the asylum of its evil presence, you limp your way to the exit. The door is within sight. Just when you think you have finally escaped, military soldiers storm in the doors and open fire, killing you. You then learn that you have become the new host of the evil spirit as you kill all of the soldiers that had killed you.
Outlast is a spectacular game. Between the unexpected jump scares and constant feeling of helplessness and worry, it is sure to give you that thrill that all good survival horror games provide.
