C&T Publications Eye On Fine Art Photography - October 2014 | Page 97

Game Review
by Cindy Ackley Nunn

Being that the month of Halloween October is traditionally the month of all things scary and creepy, so this author/photographer
did a little searching around to find games where using a camera is a main feature of the game. This was not an easy task, not so
much because the games were hard to find. They weren't. It was the whole having to play the game and test it out thing that was
hard. Yes, folks, although I have run an international team of professional paranormal investigators, and have stayed overnight in
some very dark, creepy places, I am a big scaredy cat when it comes to playing horror games. I shriek, scream, cover my eyes and at
times have been known to cry. When ugly wicked faces suddenly pop up on the screen right in my face I have on occasion jumped
up from my chair and ran away, only to approach the game again after gathering my wits, making sure my eyes are covered by my
hand, with just enough finger spread to peek through. So, here is my review of a small selection of games.

Outlast
Platforms: Windows PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One
Outlast is a first-person horror survival game that is set in a derelict psychiatric
hospital. The main character is reporter Miles Upshur, who's only methods of selfprotection involve shoving enemies out of the way or finding small spaces to hide in
until the scary monster gives up looking and goes away. He is armed with only his
trusty reporter's notebook and a camcorder, which he uses to record evidence.
I learned three things while playing this game. That you cannot trust anyone, not
even a priest, the halls are roamed by incredibly hostile inmates, and finally, wearing
a diaper during game play just might be a very good idea!.
If you are looking to play a game with a seriously creepy atmosphere, hair raising
scenarios, and enjoy screaming due to immense fear, this game will do the trick. By
the time I was done test running it my heart was pounding through my chest, my
nerves were a jangling mess and I was in need of a long hot bath in a well lit
bathroom and one of the many Uncle John's Bathroom Readers in hand.

Fear Factor – 10+
Graphics – 10+
Playability – 10
Price - $19.99
Outlast is developed and published by Red Barrels, a company founded by programmers who also helped to create such games as
Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia, so this should give you an idea of the immense skill and talent that went into
creating this game. http://www.redbarrelsgames.com/index.php
Available as a digital download through Steam and Amazon.

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