The Case for 'Outlast' as the Perfect Candidate for a Horror Video Game Adaptation
Brace yourself for the ultimate horror experience in 'Outlast' where a terrifying asylum becomes a nightmare Its chilling cast of villains will haunt your dreams A potential blockbuster movie awaits in the found footage genre, making 'Outlast' a franchise with boundless potential
The Big Picture
Outlast is a violent and terrifying survival horror game that immerses players in a derelict asylum filled with mutated inmates.
The game showcases an unforgettable lineup of antagonists, ranging from a massive murderer, eerie twins, to a perverted doctor, intensifying the frightening atmosphere. With its distinctive visual style, Outlast, utilizing the protagonist's video camera and night vision, would seamlessly translate into a horrifying found footage style horror film. Its potential as a franchise, evident through its sequels and prequel, makes it an ideal match.
The movie adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy's has opened doors for horror video game adaptations. Among the classics, 2013's Outlast stands out as a perfect candidate for the big screen. Developed by Red Barrels, Outlast made a significant impact in the horror games genre, earning praise as one of the scariest video games in recent years. This fan-favorite game plunges players into a derelict asylum, where survival becomes a daunting task amidst mutated inmates who now dominate the premises. While games like Five Nights at Freddy's offer a more accessible form of horror entertainment, attracting a younger fanbase, Outlast is the complete opposite. Filled with violence, perversion, and heart-stopping scares, it provides a much more intense experience. With its captivating storyline, thought-provoking lore, distinctive visual style, and potential for a franchise, Outlast emerges as a perfect choice for a thrilling game adaptation.
Image via Red Barrels Outlast
In Outlast, a first-person survival horror game created by experienced developers from renowned game franchises, Hell is portrayed as an inescapable experiment. Take on the role of Miles Upshur, an investigative journalist, as you venture into Mount Massive Asylum in an attempt to uncover its horrifying secret... if you have the courage to do so. Developed by Red Barrels, this game is available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux OS X, and Nintendo Switch platforms. It offers a single-player mode and falls under the genre of survival horror.
What Is 'Outlast' About?
Commencing with the introduction of Miles Upshur (Shawn Baichoo), a freelance journalist, the narrative of Outlast takes shape. Intrigued by a perplexing sequence of accounts linked to Mount Massive Asylum, Miles embarks on an investigation. The catalyst for his quest is an anonymous tip, alleging that the Murkoff Corporation, the institution's proprietor, has employed its patients in perilous and morally questionable experiments. Armed solely with a video camera, Miles arrives at the asylum only to discover an eerie atmosphere of desertion. This eerie ambiance sets the stage for an immersive survival horror game.
After conducting some thorough investigation, Miles quickly uncovers a grim sight of bodies or, more disturbingly, dismembered body parts. Within moments, before the bewildered reporter can fully comprehend the unfolding chaos, he stumbles upon a barely clinging-to-life security guard from Murkoff. Gasping for breath, the dying guard reveals to Miles that the company's genetically-altered test subjects, referred to as Variants, have managed to break free from their confinement and are mercilessly eliminating anything in their path. Shortly after this encounter, Miles crosses paths with one of these ominous Variants and encounters a chillingly unsettling priest named Father Martin (Andreas Apergis).
While the most obvious solution would be for Miles to retreat through the same route he entered, escaping from the dilapidated facility proves to be a formidable challenge due to the ongoing lockdown and absence of easily accessible exit options. Contrary to his own wishes, Miles now faces the daunting task of discovering an escape route from the confines of Mount Massive Asylum, all while uncovering the harrowing truth behind the disastrous events that unfolded. Although the exposure of Murkoff's questionable actions seems inevitable, ensuring Miles' own liberation becomes an entirely different narrative.
The Best Part of 'Outlast' Is Its Memorable Cast of Villains
Image via Red Barrels
During their journey through the asylum in Outlast, players will encounter a variety of distinct characters, many of whom pose a threat to Miles Upshur's life. Among these adversaries are occasional thugs who appear briefly, as well as relentless stalkers who plague Miles throughout the game. Notably, the primary antagonist is Chris Walker, also known as Chimwemwe Miller, who was previously a security guard before becoming a subject of Murkoff's experiments. As the first and final Variant that Miles encounters in Mount Massive, Chris holds particular significance and serves as the game's iconic figure.
Additionally, the asylum is home to other memorable individuals, such as the Twins, portrayed by Neil Napier and Alain Goulem, who roam freely throughout Mount Massive while completely naked. These enigmatic figures, armed with machetes, instill fear in players through their eerie speeches. Although the Twins do not actively pursue Miles like Chris Walker, they become a grave threat should they get too close, utilizing their weapons with deadly intent.
However, the standout character that undoubtedly steals the show in Outlast is Dr. Rick Trager (Alex Ivanocici). His presence in the game is extremely memorable, thanks to his twisted and chilling sequence. Initially, Trager appears to be one of the few friendly individuals remaining in Mount Massive. However, it soon becomes clear that he is one of the most deranged minds on the campus, conducting his own experiments by abducting the remaining inmates. In a shocking turn of events, he permanently disfigures Miles and relentlessly stalks him in the medical ward with a menacingly oversized pair of scissors. Throughout this terrifying encounter, Trager maintains a sick sense of humor, casually engaging in conversation while inflicting harm.
An 'Outlast' Movie Would be Perfect for the Found Footage Genre
Image via Red Barrels
The distinctive visual aesthetic of Outlast is heavily influenced by the clever utilization of Miles' video camera, particularly its night vision functionality. Beyond capturing evidence of the events that unfold within the asylum, the camera serves the crucial purpose of helping Miles navigate his surroundings. Given the limited power supply in the facility, certain areas of Mount Massive are plunged into complete darkness, making the camera's night vision feature indispensable.
A horror film that heavily relies on a video camera? Sounds perfect for a found footage style of horror filmmaking. In case you're not familiar with the term, a found footage film is one where all the footage is diegetic, meaning it's shot with a camera that the characters in the film interact with. Notable examples of successful found footage films include the groundbreaking The Blair Witch Project and the long-running Paranormal Activity franchise.
It's true that the world of found footage films is notoriously overcrowded, with many films being made in this style simply because of its low production costs. However, that doesn't mean that the concept can't be executed well. The anthology-based V/H/S series and unique takes like Apollo 18 have demonstrated that it's possible. With improved camera stability and strategic use of the concept, Outlast could be incredibly effective as a found footage film (although it could also work in a more traditional way).
