The Outlast Trials is a first-person cooperative survival horror game that thrusts players into the chilling experiments of the Murkoff Corporation during the Cold War era. As unwilling test subjects, you navigate a nightmarish facility filled with psychological terror, where survival hinges on stealth, quick thinking, and teamwork. This title blends action, indie, and adventure elements, emphasizing multiplayer cooperation for up to four players, though solo play remains an option. Released in 2024, it has evolved into a live service game with ongoing seasons, appealing to those seeking intense horror experiences without direct combat.
Gameplay
In The Outlast Trials, the core loop revolves around avoiding detection by grotesque enemies while completing objectives in a hostile environment. Players must hide, flee, or use limited tools to evade pursuers, as direct confrontation is not possible. Tools include items that stun enemies, blind them temporarily, allow seeing through walls, or heal yourself and teammates. These tools are earned and upgraded through progression, encouraging strategic playstyles.
Character customization lets you tailor your trial patient with specific tools, upgrades, and perks that suit stealth or support roles. The game incorporates a therapy system divided into phases: Break the Self, where personal beliefs are dismantled; Build the Self, introducing new ideologies; and Salvation, marking full acceptance. This narrative framework ties into tasks that challenge morals and endurance, all set within the Sinyala Facility.
Cooperative elements shine in group play, where coordination can create opportunities to distract foes or share resources. Solo runs demand careful planning, relying heavily on environmental awareness. The absence of weapons shifts focus to tension-building mechanics like limited battery life for night vision, heightening the horror atmosphere.
Game Modes
The Outlast Trials features two primary types of challenges: Trials and MK-Challenges. Trials are longer, story-driven sessions that immerse players in detailed narratives, requiring completion of disturbing tasks to progress through the therapy program. MK-Challenges offer shorter experiences in modified map sections, focusing on quick objectives with high replayability.
Recent additions include Invasion mode, which introduces competitive elements where players can turn against each other, adding a layer of betrayal to the horror. Specific examples from updates encompass Despoil the Auction as a new Trial and Fabricate the Idol as an MK-Challenge, both part of Season 5 content.
Updates and Current State
As a live service title, The Outlast Trials receives regular updates and seasonal content to keep the experience fresh. Season 5, titled Project Messiah, launched in December 2025, bringing new environments, a Prime Asset named Liliya Bogomolova, and additional challenges. Earlier patches, such as the Under Surveillance update in March 2025, enhanced surveillance mechanics and addressed community feedback.
The game supports cross-platform play across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, fostering a broader player base. With user reviews continuing into 2026, it maintains an active community, though some call for more frequent content drops to combat repetition.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player reception highlights The Outlast Trials as a strong choice for cooperative survival horror enthusiasts, with a Metascore of 75 on PlayStation 5, 69 on PC, and 74 on Xbox Series X, all indicating generally favorable reviews. User scores average 7.7 on PlayStation 5, praising the intense multiplayer sessions and atmospheric design.
Critics and players appreciate the seamless co-op integration and progression system, but note that solo play can feel less engaging due to repetition. If you enjoy stealth-based horror with friends and don't mind graphic content, it's worth trying, especially with ongoing seasons extending its lifespan. For those preferring narrative depth or solo adventures, it might not fully satisfy.
