The Outlast Trials: Project Lupara Preview — A Deep Dive

Even prior to its release in March of this year, The Outlast Trials has been a standout multiplayer horror experience ever since I first got hands-on with it during its early-access period. In my review of The Outlast Trials , I praised it for successfully taking the gameplay loop found in the first two single-player Outlast titles and transforming it into an engaging and fun cooperative title, with my only concern stemming from the longevity of its future in regard to content updates.

Flash forward to now, and Red Barrels have dropped their latest major content update since the introduction of the Courthouse level in the form of Project Lupara. Project Lupara brings with it a brand new level, including a new boss encounter or Prime Asset, a new player RIG (with a tease for more to come), new trials and MK challenges, including the new stage The Docks, a new Roguelike mode and a whole host of more minor changes, including difficulty sliders, paid cosmetics and changes to the UI.

Let’s start with the two most significant additions, the Docks level and the new Prime Asset, Franco “II Bambino” Barbi. In The Outlast Trials: Project Lupara , Franco—the disgraced son of an infamous mobster—lives in his father’s shadow and is known as “Big Baby.” What sets him apart is his unique ranged weapon, a boomstick he affectionately calls his Pacifier, which he suckles on when not hunting his prey. This is the first time a character in the Outlast universe comes equipped with such a weapon, adding a new dimension to the game.

“New MK challenges will be included with The Outlast Trials: Project Lupara update, remixing and returning players to maps like the Mansion, Police Station, and Courthouse.”

To fit the retro mobster aesthetic, the Dock level harkens back and commentates on the relationship between the CIA and drug trafficking shenanigans of the past. The new map takes place in a moody dock, reminiscent of a set from an exploitation movie, dotted by cargo that requires players to really get accustomed to the map, memorizing shortcuts, enemy patterns, and doors, all in an effort to not to get filled with lead from Franco or his goons.

Speaking of doors, the latest update for The Outlast Trials , Project Lupara , brings with it a new RIG, dubbed the Barricade. As the name may suggest, this is a means to bar access and reinforce doors, allowing players to escape or complete a task by slowing down the approach of their stalkers.

New MK challenges will be included with The Outlast Trials: Project Lupara update, remixing and returning players to maps like the Mansion, Police Station, and Courthouse. Finally, the Mansion, the final level of the game, now features a brand new ending for players to discover, making it more than worthwhile to experience the horror of the base game again in a new light.

In terms of new game modes, Red Barrels introduces Escalation Therapy. This endless roguelike mode throws players into trials without the hope of ever returning to the hub area. Starting from square one, players will gradually grow in strength as they unlock gear, with better loot given out to those who can outlast the longest.

“…to celebrate the launch of The Outlast Trials: Project Lupara update, the next four weeks will feature Franco Barbi making an unwarranted appearance in legacy trails alongside the other Prime Assets.”

Outside of new content for the trials themselves, a new cosmetics DLC bundle, the Exoctica pack, will be available, costing $19.99. This will give hardcore fans swanky new fits to better blend in with the crazies, along with stuff to customize their cells with in style. To go along with the new cosmetics , a new catalogue system will also be introduced, making it easier for players to keep track of their wardrobe, collect past outfits and even earn stamps towards new unlocks.

And for those who enjoyed loitering around the lobby arm wrestling with other players, a new mini-game will now be available called the Stroop Effect Test. This is a special booth in which two players are pitted against each other in a series of tests where they must successfully guess the correct colour written — while the colour itself is a different hue than the actual word written. And finally, to celebrate the launch of The Outlast Trials: Project Lupara update, the next four weeks will feature Franco Barbi making an unwarranted appearance in legacy trails alongside the other Prime Assets.

The Outlast Trials is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, 5 and the Xbox Series of consoles, all featuring crossplay. This makes it the perfect time to jump in or get indoctrinated all over again by the lovely folks over at the Murkoff Corporation in the hopes of becoming a better you before the launch of Project Lupara on July 16.