Outlast 2
Games review
As of Aug 12, 2026, Outlast 2 is rated 75/100 on Metacritic (52 critic reviews), and 91% positive on Steam (64,130 reviews). Each source is shown in its own units, never blended into one score.
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Different sources measure different things, so each is shown in its own units and never merged into one number.
Is Outlast 2 worth it in 2026?
Outlast 2 is a genuinely effective horror game that delivers intense psychological dread, improved visuals, and heart-pounding chase sequences, but its 91% Steam approval and 75/100 from critics tell two different stories about the same product. The dominant complaint, cited more than any other, is that the game fundamentally departs from its predecessor's formula, trading the first game's claustrophobic asylum corridors for a more open, religiously themed setting that a significant portion of players found unrecognizable rather than evolved. The story compounds this: it is not merely ambitious or unconventional but genuinely confusing in structure, and if the fragmented narrative doesn't click for you, the emotional payoff the game reaches for won't land either. Weak antagonist presence relative to the first game further hollows out the sustained dread, leaving some stretches feeling like a series of jolts rather than coherent tension.
Horror fans who want raw psychological intensity and disturbing atmosphere and can tolerate, or actively enjoy, a dense, non-linear story rooted in religious cult imagery, approached entirely on its own terms rather than as an Outlast sequel.
AI-generated editorial synthesis of the source scores and sampled review themes, not a hands-on test. Reviewer experiences and allegations are not independently verified facts.
Pros
- intense psychological horror6
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- **POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD** After finishing Outlast 2, I can understand why it's such a divisive game. A lot of people expected a direct continuation of the first Outlast, but in...
- The vibe is super different from the original but it's still Outlast at heart. It's a lot more open and therefore scarier. It's a lot more depressing and sadder than the first game...
- This Game Scares the ♥♥♥♥ Out of Me Okay, let me talk about Outlast 2 for a minute. When I first got into Outlast, I didn't even know what it was. A friend of mine who has since...
- improved graphics and visuals5
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- [h1] Red Barrels DOES NOT disappoints [/h1] Outlast 2 is an indirect sequel to Outlast 1. I loved playing Outlast 1 but the graphics were not the best. Outlast 2 on the other ha...
- =======《 [b]Graphics[/b] 》======= ☐ Feels like real life ☐ Beautiful ☑ Good ☐ Decent ☐ Not great ☐ Better not stare too long ☐ MS-DOS =======《 [b]Gameplay[/b] 》======= ☐ Really go...
- [b][i] Outlast 2 [/i][/b] is a terrifying horror game that builds on its predecessor with a larger world, a disturbing story, and an unforgettable atmosphere. It drags you through...
- emotional storytelling5
see reviews +-
- **POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD** After finishing Outlast 2, I can understand why it's such a divisive game. A lot of people expected a direct continuation of the first Outlast, but in...
- The vibe is super different from the original but it's still Outlast at heart. It's a lot more open and therefore scarier. It's a lot more depressing and sadder than the first game...
- This was genuinely my favorite outlast game. I was moved to emotional tears throughout the story beats. I broke down sobbing. It was so well orchestrated. I can't wait for outlast...
- disturbing atmosphere5
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- This is the most vile and disgusting game I have ever played. Being one of the most abused protagonists of any game ever: Blake. Being put through so much to earn so little, if any...
- Outlast 2 is dark. It is probably the darkest and most horrific video game I've ever played. I first experienced this game on the Xbox when it was released and it always stuck with...
- [b][i] Outlast 2 [/i][/b] is a terrifying horror game that builds on its predecessor with a larger world, a disturbing story, and an unforgettable atmosphere. It drags you through...
- memorable chase sequences3
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- While not as impressive as the first game, Outlast 2 is still heart attack inducing and tense, especially the chase sequences. The game lets you get uncomfortable before getting...
- [h1]92/100 [/h1]Let me tell you this, a 15 year old like myself SHOULD NOT BE PLAYING THIS GAME. I'll explain it a bit more later. It's hard to hate an Outlast game, and this is...
- [b][i] Outlast 2 [/i][/b] is a terrifying horror game that builds on its predecessor with a larger world, a disturbing story, and an unforgettable atmosphere. It drags you through...
Cons
- differs from first game9
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- A horribly confused waste of time. Think about everything good about the first game and it's DLC, and then forget about it.
- [h1]TL;DR: Bad sequel[/h1] Worse in all aspects compared to the first game and isn't worth your time if you want more like it. This is different in not a good way. I just can't de...
- I think its pretty good but definitely fails to capture the magic of the first game
- confusing story elements3
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- The vibe is super different from the original but it's still Outlast at heart. It's a lot more open and therefore scarier. It's a lot more depressing and sadder than the first game...
- keep getting thrown from one story line to the other and one is more outlast like the other is just a defibrilator on your chest you dont know when is gonna go off but it is gonna...
- I think this game was good, but I prefer the original. Like the first, it had an effectively foreboding atmosphere, and I liked the increased thematic significance of religion. The...
- unclear navigation3
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- [h1]TL;DR: Bad sequel[/h1] Worse in all aspects compared to the first game and isn't worth your time if you want more like it. This is different in not a good way. I just can't de...
- keep getting thrown from one story line to the other and one is more outlast like the other is just a defibrilator on your chest you dont know when is gonna go off but it is gonna...
- this is outlast but way worse the level design is kinda trash, getting lost aint fun the story is mid but doable the gameplay is the same as outlast 1 but ur character cant brea...
Themes and quotes are drawn from 29 sampled reviews with text. Each score above uses its source's displayed count. Theme counts are how many of the sampled reviews mention each point.
Rated near Outlast 2
Closest scores in games, on the same source.