Set in the Cold War era, The Outlast Trials significantly diverges from previous chapters in the saga, pivoting the gameplay to predominantly co-op mechanics. You can still play on your own, but the whole experience will be at its best if you play with one or more people, up to a group of four. The horror setting and its dark tones, however, still remain the cornerstone of the entire adventure, so you will not be disappointed if you are looking for a thrilling game.

　　The Outlast Trials features peculiar mechanics, and those approaching the game for the first time, either alone or in a group, may need some help to get started. Therefore, our guide will provide valuable tips for your first hours in the Murkoff facility.

　　

Stealth is your ally

In The Outlast Trials, you won’t be able to eliminate the monsters you see in the Murkoff facility. You can only hide and be careful enough to avoid getting caught by them. Hence, stealth plays a crucial role in this game. You get plenty of hiding spots in each trial, and you should definitely use them whenever an enemy is near you but hasn’t spotted you yet. However, be careful when taking advantage of the peek mechanic. If the monster is near you, they can find you. Walk while crouched to make the least possible noise, and only run when absolutely necessary, and you’re escaping from an enemy. This way, your chances of being spotted will be much lower.

　　

Cooperate with your team

While The Outlast Trials can be played solo, it heavily relies on co-op mechanics. If you play with friends or a group of users you have found in the lobby, your chances of surviving and getting a high grade at the end of the trial will be higher. However, cooperation is the key to victory in this case. You should communicate with the other team members to solve the puzzles and exit the trial; otherwise, you won’t get any real advantage by playing with others. If you don’t want to use your mic, the game gives you plenty of shortcuts to notify your teammates, highlight a specific spot, make them aware of certain items and locations, and much more.

　　

Watch out for traps and broken glass

Several doors have traps installed on them, so if you open them without paying attention, you will alert nearby enemies and could also fall into a state of psychosis. To prevent this, open the door slowly or look for the device tied to the trap and disarm it. It is usually near the entrance itself. You will also find many sound traps, such as hanging cans and shattered glass on the floor. If you run into them,  nearby enemies will be instantly alerted and come toward you. Pay close attention to your surroundings, or you will easily fall into them.

　　

Close doors behind you

If you are running from an enemy that has spotted you and want to increase the distance between you and your foe, always close doors behind you. This will slow them down for a few seconds, and you will likely get the chance to find a good hiding spot and wait until the enemy goes away. Remember to slam doors and not close them slowly; otherwise, you will lose all the distance advantage you have gained so far. Monsters are already chasing you, so the noise the door will make won’t change much.

　　

Listen carefully

Some enemies may go unnoticed, but they certainly will not go unheard. If you pay close attention to environmental sounds, you will listen to them talking or making sounds. In a game like The Outlast Trials, where surviving is key, and you can’t defeat your foes, this plays a massive role in staying alive and actually completing trials. Moreover, you will hear specific sounds when you get spotted by enemies and soon learn to recognize them. Try to play with a pair of headphones if you can. This will help you recognize the source and direction of sounds.

　　With these tips in mind, your journey in the Murkoff facility should be a little less scary. Stay tuned for new The Outlast Trials guides coming soon!