- The Outlast Trials Steam edition fully launched on March 5, 2024, after Early Access.
- 43,000+ user reviews currently sit at a Very Positive overall rating on Steam.
- Solo or co-op play is supported, with up to 4 Reagents per Trial session.
- Seasonal updates keep adding Trials, enemies, and limited-time event rewards.
- Start with Stun or Heal Rig before experimenting with X-Ray and Barricade builds.
The Outlast Trials on Steam: What You Need to Know
The Outlast Trials is the cooperative survival-horror entry in Red Barrels' Outlast series, placing up to four Reagents inside Cold War-era Murkoff experiments. The Steam release supports both solo play and full four-player online co-op, and the store page currently shows more than 43,000 English user reviews with an overall Very Positive rating (Steam store page).
Watch the official launch trailer to see the core loop in action before your first session:
Video Highlights:
- Version 1.0 launch trailer showing Murkoff facilities and Prime Assets
- Co-op escape sequences with up to four Reagents
- Night vision, hiding, and stealth-focused gameplay
- Signature psychological horror atmosphere
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Store page | Steam - The Outlast Trials |
| Full release date | March 5, 2024 (after May 2023 Early Access) |
| Player format | Solo, or online co-op up to 4 players |
| Review status | Very Positive across 43,000+ reviews |
| Developer | Red Barrels (Montreal, Canada) |
| Text languages | English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Simplified/Traditional Chinese, and more |
The game is fully playable solo, but difficulty is tuned around co-op coordination. If you plan to play with friends, agree on Rig roles (Stun, Heal, X-Ray, Barricade) before your first Trial so early unlocks complement each other.
Getting Started: From Store Page to First Trial
Follow this sequence to move from installation to your first successful extraction efficiently.
Get the Game on Steam
Visit the official Steam store page and complete your purchase. Confirm your machine meets the listed requirements and that Steam is updated before installing.
Learn the Sleep Room
The Sleep Room is your hub. Here you customize your Reagent, manage Rigs, Amps, and Prescriptions, and select Trials from the available programs.
Pick Your First Rig
Choose Stun for emergency crowd control or Heal for team recovery. Both offer the most forgiving learning curve for new Reagents.
Run Your First Trial
Read the objective before entering, explore for batteries, healing items, and throwables, and prioritize stealth over confrontation.
Extract and Reinvest Rewards
Complete the main objective, reach the exit, and spend earned Murkoff Dollars and Therapy Tokens on core upgrades before cosmetics.
Do not sprint through unfamiliar corridors. Noise attracts Ex-Pops and Prime Assets fast, and most failed early runs come from unnecessary chases rather than objectives.
Core Threats and How to Handle Them
Enemy encounters revolve around avoidance and route planning, not combat. These are the primary threats you will meet across Trials.
| Enemy | Type | Key Danger | Escape Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leland Coyle | Prime Asset | Stun baton, punishing close-range attacks | Break line of sight, loop doors, use corners |
| Mother Gooseberry | Prime Asset | Drill weapon, pressures objective rooms | Use multi-exit rooms, avoid dead ends |
| Franco Barbi | Prime Asset | Deadly in narrow indoor spaces | Keep an exit route, throw distractions early |
| Pusher | Special Ex-Pop | Gas attack that impairs movement | Exit the cloud immediately, save Antidote |
| Berserker | Special Ex-Pop | Aggressive melee, punishes low stamina | Hide and break sight, manage stamina |
| Big Grunt | Heavy Ex-Pop | High durability, controls key routes | Wide loops, keep doors between you |
| The Skinner Man | Psychological Threat | Disrupts navigation under stress | Stay calm, keep moving toward safe rooms |
Stealth First
- Crouch to reduce noise
- Close doors to delay pursuit
- Use lockers, beds, and darkness
Distractions
- Bottles and bricks redirect patrols
- Save throwables for locked routes
- Never waste them on distant enemies
Team Play
- Call out enemy positions
- Revive only when the area is secure
- Regroup before entering new sections
Prime Assets search objective routes and react strongly to visible movement and noise. Escaping is almost always better than trading progress for risk.
Rigs and Progression on Steam
Rigs are your active tools, and Therapy Tokens unlock long-term upgrades. Spend tokens on one dependable setup before diversifying.
| Rig | Tier | Role | Best For | Team Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stun Rig | S | Crowd control, emergency escape | Solo, duo, high-pressure objectives | Excellent |
| Heal Rig | S | Team recovery, sustained survival | Duo and four-player teams | Excellent |
| X-Ray Rig | A | Information, route planning | Solo, learning new maps | Very good |
| Barricade Rig | A | Area denial, defensive positioning | Objective defense, teams | Very good |
| Resource | How It Is Earned | Main Use |
|---|---|---|
| Player XP | Objectives, evidence, extraction | Player level and content unlocks |
| Murkoff Dollars | Trial completion, performance | Items and preparation purchases |
| Therapy Tokens | Player progression | Rigs, Amps, Prescriptions |
| Stamps | Progression and event rewards | Special reward tracks |
| Trial Rating | Objectives, damage taken, deaths | End-of-trial reward quality |
A consistent completion with a moderate rating levels you faster than repeatedly failing while chasing a perfect score. Escape alive first, optimize ratings later.
Updates, Events, and Community
The Outlast Trials receives seasonal programs, limited-time events, new Prime Assets, and balance patches through the Steam news page and Red Barrels' official site. Build recommendations can shift after patches, so review the latest notes before committing to high-difficulty strategies.
Key community channels:
- Official Discord - LFG, update discussion, and support
- r/OutlastTrials - Trial discussion and strategies
- Red Barrels on YouTube - Trailers and update previews
The game does not run a permanent public redemption code system. Legitimate rewards arrive through seasonal events and official announcements, so ignore unofficial code lists claiming free items.
First Week Goals:
- Complete your first Trial and extract successfully
- Unlock and equip your first Rig
- Learn one map layout, such as the Police Station
- Identify your preferred role: stealth, healing, or control
- Join the official Discord for team-finding and patch news
FAQ
Q: Is The Outlast Trials available on Steam?
Yes. The Outlast Trials is available on the official Steam store page, fully released on March 5, 2024, after an Early Access period that began in May 2023. It holds a Very Positive rating across more than 43,000 English user reviews.
Q: Can I play The Outlast Trials solo?
Yes. The game supports both solo play and online co-op with up to four players. Solo runs are more punishing, so builds like the Silent Infiltrator (X-Ray Rig with stealth Amps) are recommended for lone Reagents.
Q: Which Rig should a new player unlock first?
Stun and Heal are the strongest starting choices. Stun provides emergency crowd control for solo players, while Heal reduces pressure on consumable healing items in coordinated teams.
Q: Does The Outlast Trials have redemption codes?
No permanent public code system exists. Rewards are distributed through seasonal events, promotions, and official announcements from Red Barrels, so rely on the Steam news page and official Discord rather than unofficial code lists.
Related Content
Explore more The Outlast Trials platform guides or head back to the The Outlast Trials Wiki homepage for the latest coverage.