I used to say that the day when I'll beat the Outlast games will be the day when I'll know that I've faced and defeated my worst fears. Well, I have to say that Outlast 2 was a very disappointing experience for me. To put it bluntly: story mode is no story mode at all, too much chasing, too much dying, too little was done with an otherwise good story. Did I say too much chasing? It could have been so good, they had all the elements. There could have been more things to find, more terrifying lore, more visual storytelling, and waaaay less chasing. It's almost like the creators went out of their way to avoid having their game labelled "walking simulator". "Let's just never give the player a breather so they can take in their surroundings and the lore they find, let's just chase them until they lose their will to live and end up dying without realizing what is really going on here." I'm sorry, I am very disappointed. Oh well, maybe I'll get back to it one day, when I'll feel more willing to put up with it. But, until then, it'll proudly display the new tag it inspired me to create: RAGE QUIT.
I am not one to write professional reviews. Gameplay this, aesthetics that, sound design, UX, mechanics, categories on top of other categories, scrupulously rated in cold blood, leaving me drained, confused, and not in the least interested to play the reviewed game. No. But I can tell you how I feel about this game. And I feel that I've just experienced a wonderful thing. Will that make me human enough to grant the survival of the Universe? Maybe. We'll see. Weird West is so wonderfully put together! It takes the player through a mystical journey of immortality and discovery as it relates to human nature. What makes us human? That is for the player to discover through the journeys this game faces them with. It gave me chills with all the mysterious mystical elements that I could not avoid. I was the Passenger, I had no control over my next destination, yet all my decisions had consequences I could not always understand or foresee in a context that was out of reach. Yeah, the player has to take the hand that was dealt to them and make the most of it, only being able to see the consequences of their actions at the end of their journey. Wicked, I say, and quite addictive. But no spoilers, I am that selfish. I am curious how each of you, readers of this review, will fare when you reach the end of the journey :) P.S. I had more to say, but I exceeded the size limit of the text *sigh*. Oh well, just keep in mind that I love this game. Thank you for the wonderful experience, WolfEye Studios! I love the game, it will keep me entertained for quite some time. Yes, I'm already replaying it. I usually lose count at 5, I'm sure I'll replay it more than 5 times. Also thank you for releasing it on GOG! I'll also get the soundtrack soon, I think it's wonderful!
Seriously, this game blew my mind! The rich lore and the lore/action balance are amazing! Also, and I can't stress this enough, thank you for the Assist Mode! I've never been the fastest and most accurate gamer around, but as I'm getting older and slower and whatnot, I appreciate this a lot! I am playing for fun, I have nothing to prove. So thank you again, you're awesome for allowing people like me to enjoy a brilliant Universe. Also, for new players, please, *please*, play Alan Wake! You'll thank me later :) Thank you, Remedy! :)
