Outlast 2

The critics generally agree that the story of Outlast 2 has its strengths. CGMagazine praises the game for being a vast improvement on the original, leaving players with thought-provoking questions. COGconnected appreciates the quick and impactful story set-up, with big revelations coming fast and hard, leading to a hair-raising experience. Game Rant highlights the exploration of religious horror themes, with references to scripture and macabre events from the Bible, adding depth to the narrative. The Digital Fix mentions that flashbacks provide key insights into the protagonist's motivations, enhancing the storytelling. On the downside, some critics express concerns about the predictability and generic nature of the story in Outlast 2. GameCritics finds the religious themes to be standard and the story too predictable. Game Informer criticizes the narrative for relying too heavily on shock value, leaving too many questions unanswered and struggling to maintain cohesion. Let's Play Video Games notes that the story starts off interesting but becomes generic and distracted by edgy elements, potentially diminishing the impact of the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed regarding the story of Outlast 2. While some, like COGconnected and The Digital Fix, appreciate the intense and impactful storytelling, others, such as Game Informer and Let's Play Video Games, feel that the narrative falls short in terms of originality and coherence. The game's exploration of religious horror themes and psychological terror receives praise from several critics, but its predictability and reliance on shock value are points of criticism. Despite these mixed opinions, it is evident that Outlast 2 succeeds in delivering a disturbing and twisted narrative that immerses players in a world filled with gore, violence, and cult fanaticism, albeit with varying degrees of effectiveness as perceived by different critics.

The opinions of several critics highlight the positive aspects of the gameplay in Outlast 2. CGMagazine praises the exhilarating and tense nature of the gameplay, especially during chase sequences. COGconnected appreciates the smooth movement mechanics and the simplicity of core actions like sliding, climbing, and vaulting. Game Rant notes the introduction of new enemies and challenging sequences in the second half of the game, including environmental puzzles, which add variety to the gameplay experience. GameGrin highlights the survival horror elements, such as running and hiding, bandage usage for healing, and a stamina system that enhances the challenge. On the other hand, some critics express negative opinions regarding the gameplay of Outlast 2. GameCritics criticizes the stealth moments for devolving into monotonous try-and-die runs with limited room for error or improvisation. Metro GameCentral points out the highly repetitive and linear nature of the gameplay, heavily relying on trial and error, which can lead to frustration. PlayStation Country mentions the lack of balance in gameplay, with a shift from stealth to panicked pursuit being frustrating and survival feeling more down to chance. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the gameplay of Outlast 2 is mixed. While some critics appreciate the tense and challenging survival horror elements, such as running, hiding, and exploration, others criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the lack of defensive options. Critics like Game Rant and GameGrin acknowledge the game's strengths in introducing new enemies and mechanics to keep the experience engaging. However, critics such as Metro GameCentral and PlayStation Country highlight issues with pacing, balance, and the heavy reliance on trial and error. In conclusion, while Outlast 2 succeeds in delivering a terrifying and intense gameplay experience for some critics, it falls short in terms of variety and player agency for others.

The majority of critics praised the graphics and visual design of Outlast 2, highlighting its stunning environments, atmospheric lighting, and detailed settings. GameGrin noted that the graphics have been vastly updated, with polished environments and enemies, while PlayStation Universe mentioned that the game features dark and atmospheric visuals that create a terrifying and immersive experience. The use of lighting from candles and torches, along with night vision, was also commended by critics like Trusted Reviews and Windows Central for adding to the tension and atmosphere. Additionally, Game Informer appreciated the larger environments and psychological scares, particularly the brilliantly conceptualized flashbacks to Blake's childhood Catholic school. On the downside, some critics pointed out certain flaws in the graphics and visual design of Outlast 2. CGMagazine mentioned that while the visuals are excellent, the gore and torn bodies may appear plastic and fake. Game Rant highlighted the issue of the constant head-bobbing of the protagonist potentially causing nausea, as well as the film grain effect when using the camera affecting the graphics negatively. The Jimquisition criticized the environments for being confusing and sometimes obfuscated, with the school scenes resembling generic horror titles. Additionally, Hardcore Gamer noted that while the game looks magnificent, the graphics can appear a bit dated compared to other titles like Resident Evil 7. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Outlast 2 delivers a visually impressive and terrifying experience, with the majority praising the graphics and visual design of the game. The detailed environments, effective use of lighting, and immersive atmosphere were highlighted as strong points by multiple reviewers. Despite some minor criticisms regarding specific aspects like character models, visual effects, and graphic limitations, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards the game's visuals being a significant strength. Universo Nintendo even went as far as to describe Outlast 2 as the most beautiful game played on the Switch so far, showcasing comparable graphics to the PS4 and Xbox One versions. The game successfully captures a sense of horror and tension through its visuals, making it a standout title in the horror genre for many critics.

The majority of critics praised the Sound Design and Music of Outlast 2 for effectively enhancing the horror experience. CGMagazine noted that the game effectively utilized unsettling muttering and howls to create a frightening atmosphere. COGconnected highlighted the use of string instruments that slither up your spine, adding a layer of tension and fear. DarkStation commended the tension-infused musical score by Samuel Laflamme, which amplified the action and provided clues to dangers in the environment. GameGrin described the soundtrack as incredible, transitioning quickly to evoke fear and panic, enhancing the player's sense of fear and immersion in the game world. PlayStation Universe also praised the superb sound design, excellent voice work, and detailed sound effects that contributed to the terrifying atmosphere. However, there were some criticisms regarding the Sound Design and Music of Outlast 2. The Digital Fix mentioned that the overuse of the night vision mode and microphone mode could lead to frustration and a lack of direction. Cubed3 criticized the harsh and excessive rumble in the controller, which detracted from the overall experience. Let's Play Video Games pointed out that the frequent and predictable jump scares could potentially lessen the impact of the horror elements in the game. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Sound Design and Music of Outlast 2. Critics like Game Informer praised the effective use of sound to create a palpable sense of tension and danger, while God is a Geek appreciated the unsettling music and sound design that enhanced the horror experience without relying on jump scares. The majority of reviewers, including PlayStation Country, PlayStation LifeStyle, and GameSpew, found the soundtrack, voice acting, and sound effects to be immersive and terrifying, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere of the game. The attention to detail in audio cues, music, and sound effects was widely praised, with many critics highlighting the game's ability to keep players on edge and fully immersed in its chilling world.

The voice acting in Outlast 2 has received a mix of praise and criticism from various critics. PlayStation Universe and Cubed3 commend the voice work for being excellent and well done, respectively, highlighting how it adds to the immersive and unsettling atmosphere of the game. CGMagazine also appreciates the gravelly and unsettling voice acting, which contributes to the horror experience. Additionally, Hardcore Gamer praises the enemies' voice acting for being flat out scary, enhancing the terrifying atmosphere of the game. These positive aspects of the voice acting help in creating a chilling and immersive experience for players. On the other hand, some critics had reservations about the voice acting in Outlast 2. Push Square criticizes the protagonist's dialogue as questionable and mentions hammy writing at times. The Digital Fix and The Jimquisition also point out issues with the writing, with The Digital Fix describing it as cliche-ridden and The Jimquisition criticizing forgettable primary pursuers and uninspired designs. Easy Allies notes inconsistency in Blake's voice acting, which detracts from the overall experience. These negative aspects, such as questionable dialogue, cliche-ridden writing, and forgettable characters, can detract from the overall immersion and impact of the voice acting in the game. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the voice acting in Outlast 2 is mixed. While some, like PlayStation Universe and Hardcore Gamer, praise the voice work for enhancing the game's atmosphere and adding to the horror experience, others, such as Push Square and The Jimquisition, have concerns about aspects like dialogue, writing, and character depth. The varying opinions suggest that while the voice acting succeeds in creating a chilling and unsettling ambiance for some critics, it falls short in terms of consistency and depth for others. Ultimately, the voice acting in Outlast 2 plays a significant role in shaping the game's atmosphere and narrative, but its execution may leave room for improvement according to certain critics, like Easy Allies and The Jimquisition.

In terms of technical performance on different gaming platforms, Outlast 2 received positive feedback from several critics. GameGrin and PlayStation LifeStyle praised the game on the PS4 for maintaining a solid frame rate and providing a smooth gameplay experience despite minor graphical issues. On the Nintendo Switch, Cubed3, Nintendo Enthusiast, and NintendoWorldReport highlighted the smooth performance with no skipping or loading problems, along with stable frame rates at 30 FPS. Additionally, GameSpew and Universo Nintendo commended the Switch version for running smoothly both in handheld and TV mode. However, there were some negative aspects mentioned by critics regarding the technical performance on various platforms. Wccftech noted audio popping issues on the PS4 Pro during early gameplay hours, while also mentioning navigation difficulties without the camera's night-vision mode. TheXboxHub criticized the Xbox One version for issues with camera battery drain causing frustration and impacting gameplay, leading to players easily losing their path throughout the game. Digital Chumps reported black squares appearing on the screen during gameplay on the Xbox One, albeit infrequently. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Outlast 2 generally delivers a solid technical performance across different gaming platforms. While there were some minor issues like graphical glitches, audio popping, and occasional frame rate drops mentioned by specific reviewers, the game was mostly praised for its smooth gameplay experience, stable frame rates, and immersive atmosphere. Critics like GameSpew, PC Gamer, and We Got This Covered highlighted the game's technical strengths, while also acknowledging some shortcomings in terms of level design, AI behavior, and specific platform-related issues.

In terms of positives, several critics highlighted certain aspects that contribute to the replay value of Outlast 2. PlayStation LifeStyle praised the inclusion of different difficulty levels and specific conditions for earning gold trophies, which can enhance the replayability for players seeking a challenge. Press Start Australia also appreciated the addition of a 'Story Mode' difficulty option, making the game more accessible to a wider audience and potentially encouraging multiple playthroughs for those interested in experiencing the story in a less intense setting. On the negative side, critics pointed out various factors that may limit the replay value of Outlast 2. Cubed3 mentioned the linear design and lack of depth in mechanics as potential drawbacks that could restrict long-term replayability. The Jimquisition criticized the game for being a lesser version of its predecessor, lacking improvements and incentives for replay. Xbox Achievements described the experience as joyless and infuriating, indicating a lack of enjoyment that could deter players from revisiting the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics suggests a mixed reception regarding the replay value of Outlast 2. While some elements like different difficulty modes and specific challenges add replayability, issues such as linearity, lack of depth, and a perceived decline in quality compared to the original game may hinder the desire for multiple playthroughs. Fans of survival horror and those who enjoy intense experiences may find value in revisiting the game for its scares, as noted by God is a Geek. However, the general sentiment leans towards limited replay value due to various factors that detract from the overall experience, as highlighted by Hardcore Gamer and TheXboxHub.