Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying. Outlast has single-handedly scared me more than anything in 20 years of life. Granted I'm not usually the one to be seeking horror.
Outlast does so many things right by avoiding typical horror cliches. This makes the game seem more real rather than just another crappy scare story.
And that's another thing--Outlast actually has a gripping story. You are some reporter who thinks he can take on the world. And when everyone is too afraid to check out this over the top sketchy asylum, your character does not hesitate to take on the job. Within the first several minutes of the game your character quickly realizes that he has made a horrible mistake. In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say, he has never been more wrong in his life.
After the first 10 minutes or so your mission objective quickly changes--do whatever it takes to get out of the asylum.
At the beginning of the game I thought it was going to be a bunch of jump scares but it is so much more than that. It's almost more scary just being afraid of what's going to happen--not what actually does happen.
The game is wonderful in being one of the most terrifying things ever and being an actual and psychological horror. However, the game lacks details in the characters faces and I feel that really deters from the scariness of the game. The rest of the game is beautiful but facial expressions are not its strong points. It's terrifying being chased by some horrible being that wants to rip out your organs but once they actual catch you it seems to no long be very scary.
Maybe I'm over analyzing but that is how I feel. Other than that the game is great. The story is very gripping and (if you play it right) gets you attached to the main protagonist and by the end it leaves you wondering and wanting more.
I give this game a 9 out of 10.
Outlast has a new DLC to be released this month. The DLC is called Whistleblower.
