While Outlast 2 doesn’t quite live up to the jaw-dropping impact of the first game, it’s still a solid entry in the franchise that offers plenty of thrills and scares. The first Outlast was something special—catching lightning in a bottle and becoming one of the most iconic horror games of the decade. Naturally, the sequel had a tough act to follow, and while it doesn’t fully measure up, it’s still a compelling and terrifying experience in its own right.

The Good:
World Building: Outlast 2 expands on the lore of Murkoff, bringing us out of the asylum and into a much larger, open world. This bigger setting offers a fresh experience, and there’s more to explore. I really enjoyed seeing the world and its twisted story unfold, even if there were some moments that left me a little confused.

Story & Atmosphere: The horror is still very much alive, and the terrifying atmosphere is ramped up by the improved graphics and sound. My heart was racing throughout most of the game. It’s definitely a scarier experience for me than the first, though that might be because I played it more recently.

Graphics and Sound: The improvements here are noticeable. The game looks stunning and the audio design is top-notch. The environment, the creepy sounds, and the tension all come together to keep you on edge.

The Not-So-Good:
Story Confusion: While the main story is good, I felt like it lacked enough explanation in-game. To get the full picture, you really need to dive into outside materials like the comics or deep dive videos. There are a lot of things left unexplained, and it can leave you feeling a bit lost when trying to piece together the full lore.
Final Thoughts:
If you loved the first Outlast, you’ll likely enjoy the sequel, but just don’t go in expecting it to be better. It’s tough to match the brilliance of the original, and the sequel does struggle in that department. Still, it’s a great game on its own and definitely worth playing if you’re a fan of horror.

Recommendation: Definitely recommend it to fans of the first, but manage your expectations. It’s a fantastic game in its own right, but it’s hard to top the impact of the original.

Rating: 7.5/10 – Great sequel, but not quite the classic that the first one was.