Getting Started

Getting Started with Outlast

Welcome to Mount Massive Asylum. This guide is designed for brand-new players who have never played a survival horror game or Outlast specifically. You will die. You will jump. You will be terrified. That’s the point. But with this practical advice, you’ll survive your first hour and learn the core loop without rage-quitting.

Character Creation (None)

There is no character creation in Outlast. You play as investigative journalist Miles Upshur, a predetermined character with a fixed appearance, backstory, and no dialogue choices. Your only customization is choosing your graphics settings. This is a linear narrative experience.

First Hour Walkthrough (Spoiler-Free)

1. Opening Cutscene – You arrive at the asylum gates in a car. Drive inside and park. The game begins with you standing at the front entrance.
2. Enter the Asylum – Go through the main doors. A short hallway leads to a locked door on the right. Look left—there’s a window you can climb through. Smash it (press the interact button) and crawl inside.
3. The Camera – In the next room, you’ll find a camcorder on a desk. Take it immediately. This is your only tool for seeing in the dark (via night vision) and documenting evidence. You cannot drop it.
4. First Encounter – Explore the corridors. You’ll hear shouting and screaming. Avoid direct confrontation. Enter a room with a locked door; you need to find a key or a code. Look for a note on a desk explaining a code for a door lock (usually `962` for the first door).
5. Library & Admin – Navigate through the library (watch for broken glass) and reach the Administration wing. Use the code `962` on the door keypad to proceed.
6. First Pursuit – Shortly after, a patient (Chris Walker) will chase you. Do not try to fight him. Run and hide in a locker or under a bed. Remain still until he leaves. Crouch to move quietly.
7. Batteries & Documents – Throughout the first hour, grab every battery you see. They power your camera’s night vision. Collect documents and notes to learn the story and unlock achievements.
8. First Major Puzzle – In the Female Ward, you’ll need to restore power by pulling two switches while avoiding a new enemy (The Twins). Use the vents and lockers to evade.
9. Exit First Area – After restoring power, a heavy door will open. Go through to reach a new section, completing the first major checkpoint. Save game via the menu (manual save is not available—autosave triggers at checkpoints).

> Pro Tip: The first hour teaches you the three pillars: Hide, Run, and Use Camera Night Vision sparingly. Never use the camera light unless absolutely necessary—it drains battery fast and alerts enemies.

Controls on All Platforms

> Important for PC: The mouse look is inverted by default? It is not—but you can invert Y-axis in options. Sensitivity is adjustable. On consoles, you cannot remap buttons in the original game (only on PC via config files).

UI Overview

Outlast has a minimalist HUD to preserve immersion. Here’s what you see on screen:

• Health bar – A faint red indicator at the bottom center. When you take damage (falling, being grabbed), the screen flashes red and the health bar decreases. No health pickups—rest at checkpoints or die to retry from last save.


• Camera night vision indicator – A green/blue glow around the screen when night vision is active. A battery icon appears at the top-left of the camera view showing remaining charge. When battery is low, the screen flickers.


• Battery counter – Number of spare batteries shown in the bottom-left of the camera view (e.g., `2`).


• Camera recording indicator – A small red dot in the camera view when you are recording (always on when using night vision or zoom). Recording does not affect gameplay but is used for achievements.


• Interaction prompts – When near usable objects, a contextual icon appears (e.g., hand icon for lockers, door icon for doors).


• No crosshair – You cannot aim or shoot. The camera is your only tool.


• No minimap or objective marker – You must listen to audio cues and read documents to know where to go. The environment is your map.




Essential Early Objectives



1. Survive the first chase – After taking the camera, you’ll be chased by Chris Walker. Learn to hide in lockers, under beds, or behind obstacles. Crouch and stay still. Enemies have sharp hearing—running, opening doors loudly, or using night vision near them will attract attention.
2. Find batteries – Your first battery is on a table in the room where you get the camera. Grab it. Later, check desks, shelves, and even toilets. Batteries are your lifeline.
3. Read every document – They contain story context, locker codes, and hints for puzzles. Press `Tab` (PC) or `Touchpad` (PS) to open your journal and review collected documents.
4. Solve the first door code puzzle – A note in the library gives the code `962` for the door to the Admin area. If you miss it, you can try random codes (it’s fixed).
5. Restore power in the Female Ward – This is the first major set-piece. Two switches in different rooms. Use lockers and vents to avoid the Twins. Once both switches are pulled, a door opens.
6. Reach the first checkpoint – After passing through the opened door, the game autosaves. Look for a glowing door or a safe room (no enemies spawn inside).



What to Do First vs What to Avoid



DO:

• Crouch-walk most of the time. Running makes noise and attracts enemies.


• Check every corner for batteries and documents.


• Listen carefully. Audio cues (footsteps, breathing, distant screams) tell you when an enemy is near.


• Use the environment: climb into vents, crawl under beds, open lockers to hide.


• Peek around corners (crouch + look) before entering a room.


• Save batteries by only using night vision in pitch-black areas. If there’s ambient light, turn it off.


DON’T:

• Don’t try to fight or attack. You are unarmed. Every enemy can one-hit kill you or severely injure you.


• Don’t run constantly. It drains your stamina (shown by heavy breathing) and alerts enemies. Sprint only when fleeing.


• Don’t hoard batteries for later. Use them when needed but never let the battery die completely in a dark area—you’ll be blind and terrified.


• Don’t leave lockers immediately after hiding. Wait until the enemy’s footsteps fade away completely.


• Don’t ignore environmental clues. Blood trails, footprints, or flickering lights often point to the correct path.




Early Resource Priorities




• Batteries are the most critical resource. You cannot progress without night vision in many areas. Always carry at least one spare.


• Documents are infinite (no limit). Collect them for lore and achievements. They are not used for crafting or inventory management.


• Health cannot be restored. Avoid falls and enemy attacks. Falling from high places causes damage. If you get grabbed, mash the interact button to break free quickly.


• No weapons or items exist beyond batteries and the camera. The only resource you manage is camera battery power.




Common Beginner Mistakes



1. Overusing Night Vision – New players leave night vision on constantly, draining batteries rapidly. You won’t find enough replacements early on. Use it only when you can’t see the floor or obstacles.
2. Running into Danger – Many beginners sprint blindly into corridors and trigger enemy aggro. Move slowly and peek first.
3. Ignoring Lockers – Lockers are safe havens. Enemies can open them sometimes, but they will not always check every locker. Hide in them frequently.
4. Trying to Outrun Enemies – You cannot outrun Chris Walker or the Twins in open spaces. Use obstacles to break line of sight and hide.
5. Forgetting to Look Behind – Enemies can flank you. Use the “Look Behind” button (Q on PC, LB/L1 on console) while running to check pursuers.
6. Not Saving Manually – Wait, there is no manual save. The game autosaves at checkpoints. If you quit mid-chapter, you may lose progress. Checkpoint frequency is generous but not constant.
7. Staying in the Light – The asylum is dark. You might think staying near a light source is safe, but enemies have no fear of light. You should still hide.



Day-One Checklist




• [ ] Install the game via Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG (PC); PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop. The mobile version (iOS/Android) is a paid port; ensure touch controls work for you.


• [ ] Adjust settings before starting:

- Sensitivity: Lower it if you get motion sick (common in horror games). Aim for 50-60% sensitivity on PC, medium on console.
- Invert Y-axis if desired.
- Brightness: Set so that the environment is dark but not completely black. Calibrate using the in-game brightness slider (first time you use night vision).
- Audio: Use headphones! Critical for directional audio cues. Set volume to 70-80%.

• [ ] Learn controls by playing the opening sequence (first 5 minutes). Die on purpose to understand death mechanics (respawn at last checkpoint).


• [ ] Find and collect at least 3 batteries before reaching the Female Ward.


• [ ] Complete the first hour (stop after restoring power and entering the new area). You will have encountered the core mechanics.


• [ ] Review your journal (press Tab on PC, Touchpad on PS, View on Xbox). Read the documents you found—they explain the asylum’s backstory.


• [ ] Prepare mentally for jump scares and helplessness. Outlast is an experience, not a power fantasy. Embrace the fear.

> Final Advice: Turn off all lights in your room, put on good headphones, and commit to playing at least 60 minutes. The game respects patience and caution. Run and hide; never fight. Good luck, Mr. Upshur.