What is deeply frustrating, however, is its frequent moments of trial and error, where you'll be forced to repeat the same section again as it's not immediately clear where to go. We found this newly implemented feature especially useful when determining whether or not it was time to break free from the safety of cover. Your camera is now equipped with a microphone, allowing you to exchange additional battery power to listen closely to the footsteps and hysterical cries of those who are combing for your whereabouts.

Maintaining a healthy supply of batteries is a must, or you'll find yourself staggering helplessly through the shadows with nothing but the glow of torchlight and the embers from bonfires to guide your path. Just like the original title, you'll rely on nothing but your camera's flashlight to illuminate the bitter darkness, limiting your vision to all but a singular shade of eerie green. It also doesn't help matters that the AI is now more intelligent and capable of pursuing you through cramped spaces. Within the desert's varied landscape there are many places to slip away undetected, such as stretches of murky water, rusted oil drums, and even tree stumps, but little compares to the levels of stress and panic endured when dashing through the black of night with several knife-wielding psychopaths hot on your trail.

Much like Alien: Isolation, Outlast 2's hide and seek gameplay leaves you feeling utterly defenceless, giving you no choice but to stealthy manoeuvre your way around the looming threat of death. The scope this time around feels much broader, however, allowing you to take multiple paths when escaping foes and it presents deeper exploration overall, but there's still a sense of linearity felt with regards to the structure of levels, as you're still tethered along one main path and there's little need to backtrack, even for collectables. The chilling ambiance of the first title is still retained throughout, though, with the rustling of trees, clinking of chains, and the crackling of flames ringing throughout the air. The sequel sports a range of locales and sees you cling on for survival through maze-like cornfields, eerie woodlands and slaughter houses. The world now has more of a varied and open-ended feel than the first title, which was restricted within the walls of a psychiatric institute.

Where does outlast 2 take place