Summary
As one of the newest horror titles to hit the scene,The Outlast Trialsbrings some heart-pounding scares to players, but the game’s inclusion of multiplayer marks a first for the franchise.The Outlast Trialsputs a new spin on multiplayer horror, making it a strong competitor againstDead by Daylight. Although the two games have a lot of differences, they also have some interesting similarities.
Since its release back in 2016,Dead by Daylighthas remained one of the top dogs of the co-op horror subgenre. Its asymmetrical gameplay offers a fun way for friends to play against one another while trying to evade a player-controlled
Killer. The inclusion of high profile crossovers withmajor horror franchises inDead by Daylighthas made the title one of the most popular co-op horror games around, butThe Outlast Trialshas finally presented some worthy competition.
Despite the two games having different approaches to many horror elements, there are some interesting similarities.The Outlast Trialsmay steer away from theasymmetrical aspects ofDead by Daylight, but the former has clearly taken inspiration from the latter when it comes to certain elements.
A Focus On Teamwork And Tasks
The biggest similarity between the two games is the focus on teamwork. Thanks to the co-op gameplay, players must work as a team in order to make it through levels. The titulartrials inThe Outlast Trialsare horror-infused puzzles and tasks that require team effort in order to make it through each trial. This is similar toDead by Daylight, as the game focuses on Survivors having to complete tasks in order to escape. Doing all of this work alone is nearly impossible inDead by Daylight. AlthoughThe Outlast Trials’multiplayer is optional, doing the trials with more people available to cover more ground can make the trials far easier. Both games require players to be mindful of their team members when it comes to health and overall well-being, which is the main commonality between the two.
Items and Perks
Another important similarity is the inclusion of items and perks.Perks inDead by Daylightcan make the gameplay more dynamic and customizable for players, andThe Outlast Trialsembraces this feature as well. Items and perks are great ways to incentivize players to upgrade and continue increasing stats, which is present and helpful in both games.
Different Approaches To Killers
Although the overall essence of the gameplay is similar between both games, there are some vast differences. One of the main aspects of both games lies in the concept of Survivors vs. Killers.Survivors inDead by Daylightare controlled by players, but the Killer is as well. This can sometimes create some unbalanced gameplay, but it also adds a layer of unpredictability that can be exciting.The Outlast Trials, on the other hand, relies on AI to power its Killers. This may not make Killers as unpredictable, but it also helps balance the gameplay a lot more.
Different Perspectives
The most obvious difference between the two titles is the difference in perspective.Dead by Daylightoffers a third-person experience, whileThe Outlast Trialsis in first-person, like the other entries in the franchise. Both perspectives have their benefits, but the first-person perspective ofThe Outlast Trialscan make the game far scarier overall.TheOutlastfranchiseis known for its intense imagery, and the first-person perspective really helps increase this intensity.
The overarching similarity between the two games makes them great competitors, but when it comes down to it, both offer some unique horror experiences that come down to preference.Dead by Daylight’s high-profile crossovers make it exciting and fun, whileThe Outlast Trials' multiplayer experience brings on a new level of intensity for co-op horror.
