The highly anticipated multiplayer survival horror game The Outlast Trials has received an early access release date. In its next four-player game, developer Red Barrels hopes to do something fresh in the Outlast world. Gamers may collaborate to survive the horrors of the Murkoff Corporation’s next terrible experiment. With The Outlast Trials’ early access coming up shortly, it seems Red Barrels is looking to conduct its own tests.
Outlast had previously only existed as a single-player series of terrifying survival horror games. Outlast was released in 2013, and it introduced players to the Murkoff Corporation’s experiments on dangerous asylum prisoners. Outlast 2 features yet another Murkoff experiment that results in the development of a deadly cult. Since then, Red Barrels has opted to take Outlast in a fresh route, abandoning campaign-driven single-player horror games in favour of something new.
Red Barrels intends to expand its horror series with The Outlast Trials. Each “trial” will include one to four players completing tasks, avoiding horrific foes, and surviving to escape. The gameplay is intended to be repeated, similar to a live service game. It’s unclear how long-form advancement and narrative will work, but players may expect to find out when The Outlast Trials officially releases in early access.
Red Barrels revealed in a teaser posted on Friday that The Outlast Trials would be available in early access beginning May 18. However, the teaser discloses very little about gameplay, instead concentrating on footage of the game’s voice actors providing horrifying audial replies. That definitely captures the vibe of The Outlast Trials. The clip also seems to suggest that early access will be available on both Steam and the Epic Games Store, giving PC players an option between the two.
The Outlast Trials has been in development since 2017. Red Barrels defined it at the time as a “little distinct project” created since Outlast 2 was not intended to be extended with DLC. The Outlast Trials’ scope has certainly expanded since then. Red Barrels had said that it will work on Outlast 3 following this project, but those intentions may have altered.
Although what seems to be a live service-like structure, The Outlast Trials has already been verified to be a paid-for game. As a result, even though Red Barrels is inviting fans to “volunteer” for The Outlast Trials early access, it will very certainly be a paid purchase. Additional details will undoubtedly be released between now and the launch, so keep an eye on Red Barrels’ social media outlets for the latest news.
