After six years of epic absence It lasts It finally returns with a brand new nightmare for action-hungry players. It is clear that the fans have been waiting with bated breath, as the enthusiasm for this third chapter has allowed the Montreal studio Red Barrels to record the biggest success in its history. “We dreamed of it, hoped for it, but never thought it would get to this scale,” says co-founder Philip Moran.
Interest in the video game franchise It lasts Obviously it only grows over the years. As proof of this, there are already over 1.6 million players who have purchased the latest chapter – Recent trials – In Early Access since its release on PC last spring. The game finally arrived this week on Sony and Microsoft consoles.
“This is the best launch in our history. It hasn't always been easy, and it's been a winding road to get here, but we're very proud of the result,” says Philippe Morin, co-founder and game designer at Red Barrels.
Survival horror
Since its inception in 2013, the franchise It lasts Branded players are fond of alarming atmosphere, cold sweats and generously spilled hemoglobin. After that, the Red Barrels studio introduced them to a mysterious and barbaric world where the only goal – apart from the various tasks presented – is very simple: to survive the experiment.
We quickly guessed that the task was more difficult than we expected.
Because unlike other horror games – Resident Evil, Silent Hill The Company – Outlast provides its followers with few resources, rendering them practically powerless against the forces of darkness.
So, forget about guns, knives, grenades or any other weapons; Only a few advantages can be extracted here and there, a potion or cure that allows one to temporarily give them a slight head start on their opponents.
“Most horror experiences impose certain restrictions on players; you can't be an invincible war machine in a horror game, that goes against the principle. But we wanted to push it further,” explains Philip Moran.
“In everyday life, fear often occurs when we feel helpless in the face of the situation or events around us. “While the protagonist has no means of defending himself other than tools that give him the opportunity to escape, there is something deeper psychological in fear,” he continues. .
Today we apply this same formula in… Recent trials, parachuting players into the heart of the Cold War while the notorious Murkoff Corporation conducts devastating experiments on, let's say, completely unprepared guinea pigs. Think brainwashing, physical torture, and unspeakable acts of carnage. The Red Barrels team also quotes movies cube And Second decadence – Let's be honest, non-lace works are major sources of inspiration.
Follow through on ideas
Now that this new adventure has finally been released on planetary consoles, the world of…It lasts It looks destined to continue expanding. In addition to having his head full of ideas for future video game content, Philippe Morin announced that discussions to bring the saga to the screen are well underway.
He added: “Negotiations are ongoing, so I can't say more. We've had some offers in the past that never came to fruition, but I think this is the right offer this time. We'll see if we have anything to announce in the coming months.”
Recent trials: An extremely terrifying nightmare experience ★★★★ 1/2
Let's just say it: Recent trials It is the scariest experience we have ever played. Nothing less.
Horror games have been growing in number, coming to our consoles, PCs and mobile phones at a feverish pace for many years. If many of them succeed, few succeed in striking us with pure and simple terror.
but Recent trials He is part of this very select club.
With its claustrophobic and unsettling atmosphere, thrilling action scenes and utterly horrific premise, we spent long hours immersed in a climate of genuine fear, glued to our screens with our bleeding hands tightly gripping the controller.
Without a past and without morals
Here we are immersed in the middle of the Cold War, subjected to unspeakably barbaric experiments conducted by the Murkoff Corporation. The main objective? Stripping the protagonist from his past, relieving him of any measure of moral or ethical values to make him an empty shell, completely susceptible to entities with evil designs.
Image courtesy of Red Barrels
Throughout the events, we will be immersed in different mysterious and frankly oppressive universes, inhabited by terrifying and merciless executioners with only one goal: to make us have a bad time.
The result – backed by stunningly realistic graphics and a stunningly immersive sound mix – is nothing less than any horror fan's ultimate dream.
- the game Recent trials Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PC.
