The Outlast Trials | Beginner’s Guide

You are about to learn three things that you need to know when you go into The Outlast trial. If you have no idea what this game is or if you have just fired it up, you need to know, first, how the game actually works and what you can expect to do when you get into the game.

How the Game Works

Let’s go over how the game actually operates. You are going to start with a tutorial, which is very “Outlasty”. You have a mission and different things going on, and the tutorial walks you through the inventory system and some of the objectives that you will have to do when you start the base game.

The tutorial is basically a 10 to 20-minute level, depending on how fast you go. It is designed to introduce you to carrying a heavy object, sneaking around, or making noises when you walk on glass.

Home Base and Upgrades

After the tutorial, you enter your home base, which is where the game setup takes place. Here, you will be talking to different NPCs who offer you upgrades, details of which you will explore later. You will also see other online people around you, though they are not part of your group yet; they are simply random people walking around.

You have your own customizable cell where most of your upgrades go. When you complete a level, you receive various items, including money and currency. A lot of that currency can be spent in your cell on floors, wallpaper, or a different colored bed so that you can show off your room to other online players or to your group if you choose to.

Matchmaking and Group Formation

Next, you use matchmaking by opening your menu to find a group, whether you are looking for one, two, or three people. It is recommended that you find a group of three. If you are alone, you look for a group of three, and once the group is formed, the group leader picks the level and the mission.

There are three different levels or maps, and within those, you have different missions you can choose from. You choose the mission you want to do. These are essentially different parts of the map, making the game feel more expansive than just having three levels.

Gameplay and Teamwork

When you are at these levels, you must recognize that teamwork is absolutely necessary. You find that communication—or at least listening to what others say—is incredibly important, as the game is timed. Each level can run about 20 to 30 minutes if you take your time, or closer to 29 or 30 minutes if you rush and know exactly what you are doing, especially if you have played the mission before, because the scenario is the same each time.

When you load the very first mission, you encounter a randomized element. You'll have to search around for fuel and locate power generators. But note that they aren't always in the same spot. The tasks, such as handling the generator, pushing an obstacle, and so on, remain consistent with each playthrough.

With three missions or maps—each having four or five different tasks (around 15 to 20 actions in total)—once you grasp the concept, your focus shifts to perfecting your performance. You need to communicate, split up when necessary, and regroup to delegate tasks while dealing with enemies and other challenges throughout each level.

Upgrading and Special Perks

It is important to have a varied group, and you will need to play a few levels before reaching level two and then level three, at which point you start to unlock certain NPCs in your home base. These NPCs bring special perks, such as a healing spray that covers your entire group and items that disorient enemies.

There are four types of perks in all, with each offering eight or nine upgrades. You should consider having someone in your group who can disorient enemies, as many foes cannot be killed—they force you to run and hide and can sometimes tunnel you, which is very annoying.

If you get into trouble during missions, you need health, so you try to bring the health spray. This choice may dictate what items you prioritize during a match; instead of picking up health ingredients, you might opt for lock picks or battery recharge items for your goggles.

I recommend that you scavenge and search every area, including secret rooms with buttons that require lock picks to open, as these can provide valuable resources like large medicine, recharge items for your rig, or health spray. You should gather as many resources as possible because the missions are long, and the enemies do not die. They can kill you, but you can be revived or brought back to life if you are downed.

Scoring and Leveling Up

Finally, you must understand scoring, which is the bread and butter that keeps the game playable. Every time you play, you aim to perfect your run so that you get graded at the end, both individually and as a team. If you perform poorly, your team’s overall grade will suffer, affecting the experience you gain from the level. You may experience scenarios where experienced players help you improve your performance.

Factors such as timing, damage taken, noise made, and detection all contribute to your final grade. Teamwork is assessed based on whether you help a teammate when they are down, and every action at each level is reflected in your final score.

Once you level up, you receive a ticket, which is then used to obtain perks at your home base. This recurring cycle of leveling up and earning currency, allowing you to customize your cell and make it look good, is what keeps the game engaging over the long term. 

Also, check our The Outlast Trials Review and other guides below:

• The Outlast Trials Guide | How to Unlock the Hidden GOLDEN E.S.O.P.