The Outlast Trials

About The Outlast Trials

The Outlast Trials is a co-op survival horror game developed by Red Barrels. Released March 5, 2024, it drops you into a Cold War-era setting where you’re forced to endure Murkoff Corporation’s sick experiments on human subjects. Play solo or with up to three friends as you scramble to survive brainwashing trials, dodge enemies, and manage limited resources. The game leans into tense stealth, chaotic multiplayer chaos, and grotesque sci-fi vibes. It’s a horror experience that thrives on shared panic, whether you’re hiding in a dark lab or sprinting to a safe zone with your sanity in tatters.

Gameplay

You spend most of your time crouched behind furniture or sprinting between checkpoints, using night vision goggles to glimpse your surroundings. Each trial forces you to collect specific items while avoiding enemies that patrol with methodical brutality. Stamina and sanity meters drain quickly, so pacing is key. In co-op, communication is everything, someone’s always on edge, someone’s always screaming. You’ll scavenge for tools like flashbangs and sedatives, but they’re rare and require teamwork to use effectively. Sessions rarely last longer than 20 minutes, but the constant threat of death keeps every second nerve-wracking. The controls are tight but punishing, rewarding precise inputs with fleeting moments of safety.

What Players Think

The game holds a 7.2/10 on PlayPile, with 68% of players completing the core trials. Average playtime is 10 hours, though 40% of that time is spent replaying failed runs. Community moods skew heavily: 38% “nervous,” 29% “excited,” and 18% “amused” by the absurdity of the scenarios. Reviews praise the “relentless tension” but criticize “unforgiving difficulty spikes.” Twitch rankings have it at #20, with co-op streams drawing the most engagement. Achievements focus on completing trials without dying, with 12 total and 6 required for 100% completion. At $29.99, it’s a mid-tier horror title, with 52% of players earning at least half its achievements.

PlayPile's Take

The Outlast Trials works best with friends who love chaos. If you’re okay with repeated deaths and enjoy high-stakes co-op, it’s worth the price. Solo play is punishing but manageable, though the 10-hour average suggests a shallow campaign. The $30 cost feels steep for what’s essentially a series of short, brutal mini-games. Achievements add replay value, but the real draw is the shared panic of multiplayer. Skip it if you prefer deep narratives or forgiving gameplay. For groups craving a tense, if repetitive, horror fix, it’s a solid pick, but bring teammates who won’t rage-quit after the third death.

Storyline

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 brainwashing and mind control. In a world of distrust, fear, and violence, your morals will be challenged, your endurance tested, and your sanity crushed. All in the name of progress, science, and profit. Red Barrels invites you to experience mind-numbing terror, this time with friends. Work together and maybe you’ll survive The Outlast Trials. It’s always better to shit your pants in good company.