With last month’s release ofThe Outlast Trials, horror fans have been enjoying exciting action and thrills, but also get to witness a deep and entertaining story unravel behind all the blood and guts. Several NPCs are brought to life to offer psychological and thought-provoking twists to your experience.
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While the Murkoff Corporation puts Reagents' skills and sanity to the test, their journeys lead them to intricate characters and gruesome foes where they’re sure to find a favorite or two from the bunch. There’s never a dull moment whether you are taking on the trials aloneor with friends.
8Emily Barlow
Arguably the most out-of-place character in the Outlast Trials, Barlow can be easily identified by her nurse outfit and blonde victory rolls. She tries to maintain a professional mindset despite all the work and trials that go on in the company.
Barlow can be spotted at the pharmacy desk reading a novel. Despite her face expressing otherwise, she tries to be polite to everyone in the Sinyala Facility. Other than her devotion to Murkoff, not much else is known about Barlow.
7Rudolf Wernicke
A staple character in theOutlastseries, Wernicke is a key researcher in the Murkoff Corporation and observes Reagents in the Sinyala Facility. Despite this, Wernicke’s role in the Trials so far is rather minor, with the only sighting of him being occasionally watching Reagents resting in the Sleep Room behind a window.
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So far in the game, Wernicke’s character development can only be found in collectible evidence files. In one of Dr. Easterman’s journal entries, he wrote “We can overlook his past for the sake of the future.“It’s known that Wernicke made some horrible decisions while at the same time has well-established worth to the Murkoff Corporation.
6Dorris
Dorris experienced a troubled life on the New York Bowery as well as spending time herself as a Reagent before being reassigned to work in the Sleep Room. Her appearance reflects what the Trials can do to a person that’s lucky or skilled enough to survive. She is known for smuggling goods into the facility.
Dorris serves asthe game’s go-to merchantbetween missions. You can purchase amps and other items from her when you speak to her in the cafeteria. While not one of the most in-depth characters, in the game, there is plenty of potential for her to shine whether it be through updates or future installments.
5Skinner Man
An enigmatic antagonist of the Trials, the Skinner Man takes on an appearance similar to Hendrick Easterman, but wears a skull mask with untamed hair. This character appears in the game when the you get Psychosis, which can be triggered after falling into a trap or failing to pick a lock.
The Skinner Man plods like a methodical assassin who waits in the shadows to strike at the right moment. Like a ghost, he can walk through a door and hunt you when you least expect it. Being able to contort his own body parts adds to his sinister and freakish characteristics.
4Dr. Hendricke Easterman
Having never been referenced in a previous Outlast game, Dr. Easterman is the director of Project LATHE (Limbic Aggression Therapy). Throughout the game, you’re able to pick up audio recordings, letters, and journal entries from Easterman that document his events and experiences and also will get to listen to him in person occasionally.
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While he is a mysterious figure and is considered the main antagonist of the game, he will often try to bring the best out of your character. He is the one responsible for turning AI Reagents against human players according to Red Barrels executive Philippe Morin. Through updates or future games, he will certainly be due for more scary new developments.
3Cornelius Noakes
Resembling a young Steve Harvey, Noakes is not a part of the Murkoff Corporation voluntarily but has been kidnapped for his unprecedented engineering skills and acumen. He has a timid demeanor and considers his only friend to be his dog Tango. Hesells and upgrades rigsin the Sinyala Facility.
Noakes is to date the most fleshed-out non-enemy and most humanized character in the Outlast Trials. He is reluctant to befriend you knowing that Reagents don’t survive for long, and is often remorseful for being involved in their fates.
2Mother Gooseberry
One of the more bizarre characters found in the Trials, Mother Gooseberry is a mentally-ill serial killer driven to insanity from a police raid. She has a hand puppet of a duck with human teeth that she names “Dr. Futterman”, after her missing father. This puppet allegedly entices her to commit violent acts and murders, and oftentimes isn’t shy to criticize Gooseberry herself.
Gooseberry makes her presence felt very early on in the game, interacting with you and killing other Reagents as a taste for what’s to come later. During the Fun Park andOrphanagesections of the game, Gooseberry will chase you with the drill hidden inside the puppet’s mouth. She is swift to boot, making her that much more unpredictable.
1Leland Coyle
With no shortage of rage to be found, Coyle is a former U.S. Marine and police officer with a colorful backstory involving racism and multiple wives that he got away with murdering each time. He often takes the law into his own hands, with the perception that everyone is a criminal, as his retaliation against suspects could be considered torture.
During the"Kill the Snitch” mission, Coyle will endlessly pursue you once he sees you, much like Mother Gooseberry, but also will dish out insults or cat-calls in the process. While an electric baton might not seem like the most outlandish weapon of choice, he takes great pleasure in electrocuting victims, even below the belt.
