The horror gaming community is in for a treat, with The Outlast Trials releasing on May 18, 2023. The new game in the franchise features many new mechanics compared to the older titles, the main one being the co-op multiplayer mode. This is a huge diversion from the formula that the previous Outlast games have followed, which encapsulates being alone and helpless in a dark and gruesome world.
The Outlast Trials can be played in single-player mode or with friends in co-op mode, which is something the series has not offered before. The latest game will serve as a prequel to the initial games and is set during the Cold War era where test subjects are brainwashed and manipulated using mind control methods for the profit of the Murkoff Corporation.
Co-op mode in The Outlast Trials
Red Barrel Games is heavily promoting the The Outlast Trial’s multiplayer mode, which lets a party of up to 4 players join the gory action together. While there is a lot yet to be uncovered from what we have seen in trailers, it is clear that the game will be more focused on cooperation to escape the Murkoff facility.
The co-op feature changes the dynamic of the game from being alone in an eerie setting to having friends who can help out during combat. Players will be able to fight off enemies using special skills and new weapons introduced in The Outlast Trials. The game also features new character customization systems that help players strategize and join forces to beat the Murkroff Corporation.
The closed beta for The Outlast Trials
Red Barrel Games released a closed beta last Halloween for players to test the waters and see how they resonate with the significant changes in gameplay. Unlike the first two parts of the series, The Outlast Trials is a twist on the non-combat survival gameplay and promotes more of a multiplayer environment with a Left-For-Dead type playstyle.
During the release of the closed beta, Red Barrels’ co-founder Philippe Morin said,
“Our first round of willing participants to take part in the trials provided us with some insightful feedback and very interesting data, which we have used to improve the experience.”
The original Outlast game was a massive success for Red Barrel Games, and the studio expanded the series with Outlast 2, The Outlast Trials being the third. With the original game selling over 4 million copies as of October 2016, it is safe to say that the series is here to stay.
