Embark on a terrifying journey with The Outlast Trials, a horror game developed by Montreal’s Red Barrels, where players unite to face the malevolent forces of the Murkoff Corporation. Following its May launch after an early access phase, the game has witnessed a surge of brave Reagents (in-game players) who’ve tackled numerous challenges and sinister experiments. As the game continues to reshape the multiplayer horror genre, we interviewed game director Alex Charbonneau to unveil the thrilling details of Season 2: Project Breach. This upcoming major update promises an array of exciting new features, including the Downtown map, the Molotov enemy, the Jammer rig, and various other additions. Moreover, it marks the return of the Winter Kills event, adding a chilling holiday twist to the gameplay. “With The Outlast Trials being a live-service cooperative game, every update presents an opportunity for us to enhance the experience,” Charbonneau shares with the Epic Games Store.

The Outlast Trials offers something for everyone, whether you’re a dedicated player investing long-term, or a casual gamer seeking weekly fun. New seasons and events attract both new and returning players, a trend the team comprehends, as the game provides both deep engagement and lighthearted weekly play, especially when life gets too stressful.

• Unraveling Mysteries: A Journey Through Worldbuilding
• What Lurks in the Shadows of the Theater?
• Jamming Devices: How to Hack Securely?
• Winter Kills, Molotov Threats, and Fresh Content: What’s New?

Unraveling Mysteries: A Journey Through Worldbuilding

Players progressing in The Outlast Trials may encounter Amelia Collier, a former Reagent voiced by Caroline Dhavernas, who escaped the Murkoff-run Sinyala facility and returned to expose the corporation’s darkest secrets. As they delve deeper, players will discover hints and messages left by the team, building toward a larger narrative. Charbonneau explains that worldbuilding in the game is tied to these hidden clues, like morse code and graffiti, hinting at something bigger happening behind the scenes. Just like the test subjects in the game, players will uncover secrets and clues leading to an overarching story.

Inspired by movies like Rob Zombie’s 31 and the Saw franchise, The Outlast Trials immerses players in a journey that connects to the previous Outlast games. Government experiments, a concept derived from novels like The Manchurian Candidate, play a pivotal role in the game’s narrative, along with the real-world CIA-backed Project MKUltra’s use of hallucinogens to brainwash patients. According to Charbonneau, the inclusion of Project MKUltra as a prominent element was a deliberate choice. “We wanted a setting that’s not completely fictional and not totally outlandish,” he explains, adding that aliens were consciously avoided. Instead, The Outlast Trials remains grounded in real-life events, wrapped in an air of mystery, ensuring a thrilling and engaging experience for players eager to explore the game’s rich storylines and connections to the Outlast universe.

Immerse yourself in a world of mysteries and secrets. As events unfold in-game, players can anticipate what’s next, drawing from historical parallels, intriguing conspiracy theories, or clues hidden in other Outlast titles. This worldbuilding aspect not only enriches the gameplay but also fosters a sense of discovery.

What Lurks in the Shadows of the Theater?

In the new Downtown map of Project Breach, players embark on a thrilling mission called ‘Pleasure the Prosecutor’. The objective? Navigate from a subway to a gaudy, neon-lit cabaret, all while fending off enemies and staying within a ‘capture point’. Teaming up allows players to strategize – some can distract hostiles while others hold the capture point. Inside the cabaret, a secret room loaded with loot awaits, accessible by pressing two buttons. But first, a grisly spectacle: Franco ‘Il Bambino’ Barbi, a prime asset from Project Lupara, returns to torture a victim onstage. Once he leaves, players must swap out ‘kinky’ mannequins encircling the victim with even grislier versions to proceed. This level promises heart-pounding action and悬疑.

Jamming Devices: How to Hack Securely?

The Jammer, a Season 2 update addition, is a versatile rig that disables electronic devices and traps. With upgrades, its hacking distance and efficiency increase, giving players more control over the battlefield. Besides disabling traps, the Jammer can also be used to stun pursuing enemies, though this requires line-of-sight and careful execution. Another notable feature is its ability to unlock locked doors, granting access to secret areas like the cabaret’s hidden room. The rig operates on a cooldown system, with unlocking containers having a shorter cooldown compared to distracting enemies or opening large doors. According to Charbonneau, the team’s design approach for new rigs is shaped by player behavior and preferences, ensuring a seamless integration into the gameplay experience. The Jammer, with its unlimited charges and multifaceted uses, is a prime example of this philosophy in action.

Charbonneau explains the team’s approach to balancing issues in their game, emphasizing leniency unless a rig becomes overpowered. The Jammer, a rig designed for defensive-oriented and loot-loving players, offers mechanics like marking traps and lockpicking, with a short cooldown for repeated use. While popularity and frequent use don’t typically raise concerns, the team remains vigilant to ensure it doesn’t break the game’s challenges.

Winter Kills, Molotov Threats, and Fresh Content: What’s New?

In the latest update, a new enemy has emerged – the Molotov. This dangerous foe can randomly appear in trials, throwing Molotov cocktails that ignite fires, dealing damage, and blocking paths. According to Charbonneau, “Fire dissipates over time, and players can’t manually extinguish it, forcing them to adapt their strategies.” Additionally, details have surfaced about the return of the holiday-themed Winter Kills event. This year’s catalog features new cosmetic items obtainable by completing objectives and collecting tokens, along with rewards from the previous year. Charbonneau notes, “The Outlast Trials wasn’t available on consoles during early access,” hinting at the excitement of this year’s Winter Kills for all players.

The Season 2 update brings a host of exciting changes and additions to the game. Players can now acquire previously unavailable rewards, as we’ve reintroduced them for console users. This update also enhances the Psychosis state, introducing eerie tentacles and enemies actively targeting those afflicted with Reagent. Moreover, based on fan feedback, players can now customize their poses in their rooms and profile borders. Three new amps are also introduced: Short Circuit, which restores some of your rig’s cooldown when using a battery, Evasive Maneuver that helps solo players escape enemy grasp and reduce incoming damage, and Bandages Expert that allows faster bandaging and double usage. As we wrapped up our preview session, we spoke to Charbonneau about what’s next for Red Barrels after Season 2. He mentioned that players are eager to see roadmaps for future content, ensuring they’re always informed about upcoming updates.

We aim to dial up the fear, grisly horror, and unexpected jump scares, while incorporating more paranormal psychosis elements,” Charbonneau hints with a knowing wink. Innovation is key; like Murkoff, we’re committed to pushing boundaries and exploring new concepts. While we can’t reveal everything, rest assured, we’re keeping things exciting with plenty of surprises in store.