Perhaps the biggest problem is that the hide-and-seek gameplay is starting to get old now, and the more linear levels don't compare favourably to the character of the Baker estate in the recent Resident Evil 7. Environments span large open fields to villages and even a mine, as the title shepherds you through an array of varied locales. Despite the original being a breakout indie hit, the visuals here rival the biggest blockbuster productions – it's just unfortunate that you'll see most of it through the grainy lens of a camera. Nevertheless, there is considerably more meat on this instalment's bones than its predecessor. There are some good antagonists, though, and the game's significantly larger budget means that they play a part in some of the release's very best scenes – it's just a shame they don't get a little more screen time so that their motives could be explored better. The story is sometimes a little too ambiguous for its own good, and sometimes it feels like key moments of exposition are delivered a little too frantically for you to get a proper grasp on what the title's trying to tell you. Everything is in service of the central plot, though, which has just enough mystery to its metaphor to push you through to its conclusion. Some will certainly feel that the game goes too far, and in trying to top the torture scene from the original, it could be argued that the release is trying a little too hard to shock you. And the game really doesn't hold back, as it explores increasingly macabre material the further you progress. Sex is a strong theme here, as is the mutilation of children, which can culminate in some uncomfortable moments. This creates quite an unsettling atmosphere: the religious overtones are grim to begin with, but the text in particular – which you stumble upon via discarded notes and gospels – makes for some pretty harrowing reading material. It swiftly transpires that these twisted so-called Christians have re-interpreted the Bible's scriptures, and thus there are several religious groups warring over God's word. Needless to say, things quickly go south, as your split from your spouse and find yourself accepted into the bosom of a cult-like society. You play as video journalist Blake Langermann, who's on an investigative assignment with his wife Lynn in the Arizona desert. Outlast II builds on the hide-and-seek format of its forebear, but it weaves the action around a narrative that goes to some decidedly dark places, and it'll be remembered for that more than its tiring gameplay structure. If the original Outlast is considered a somewhat crude exploration of mental health and the challenges that society faces in understanding it, then its more ambitious successor is all about religion. Republished on Wednesday 30th October 2019: We're bringing this review back from the archives following the announcement of October's PlayStation Plus lineup.
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