Look Outside review: Well, that was gross and uncomfortably thrilling

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In a sequence I’ll never forget from Look Outside, there’s a scene where I’m in a wrecked apartment, groping around in the dark for resources and tools. The family who used to live here fell victim to the terrifying creature outside, but their story isn’t yet complete. I’m confronting them one by one, driven by a mix of compassion and morbid interest that I’m not particularly proud of. One of them, once a young boy before fangs grew from his neck, didn’t initially attack me. Whatever remains of him inside is more interested in playing with his toy soldiers. Earlier, I discovered a small green soldier in the kitchen, and, in a moment that feels more like surrender than when I fought and killed the father in the hallway, I decide to play along.

In my best attempt, I strive to decipher the noises and gestures, understand the storyline, and determine if the helicopter poses a danger or aid; am I an ally or causing turmoil in this military scenario? My performance leaves much to be desired. However, the child’s appreciation of my efforts by giving me some candy, though only worth 2 HP, holds immense value for me at this crucial moment. And before the next turn of events, it ends. I’m relieved that I don’t have to engage in combat with the creature on the floor; all I can do is depart.

You could. But should you?

The game titled “Look Outside” is an engaging horror RPG created by Francis Coulombe and distributed by Devolver Digital. It employs the fundamental structure of a traditional 16-bit RPG, featuring stats, turn-based combat, equipment, XP, among other elements. However, it blends this conventional format with survival horror reasoning and an audiovisual aesthetic that I can merely label as “unsettlingly amusing.” The art style isn’t quite cartoonish, but it utilizes large, thick pixels and exaggerated (often grinning) facial expressions to establish a creatively grotesque backdrop for body horror. At first glance, it may seem humorous, but later it may linger in your thoughts, causing unease.

In a solitary existence within an ordinary apartment complex, you find yourself isolated amidst an unfolding catastrophe outside. Awake with an intense compulsion to peer through the window, the only factors hindering you are self-control and your instinct for survival. The world beyond has transformed into something nightmarish, each revelation more terrifying than the last. In this harsh, post-apocalyptic landscape, everyone is changing, adapting to this new cruelty in horrifying ways. Rumor on the internet whispers that in 15 days, things will return to normal. With supplies in your refrigerator, toiletries, electronic devices, and a growing desire to step outside and witness the reality beyond your doorstep, you find yourself teetering between caution and curiosity.

Curiosity killed the cat. And you, next

Fundamentally, the game Look Outside seems to revolve around a character who, much like the protagonist in a horror flick, impulsively opens the door when we all know some menace lurks on the other side. It’s intriguing to ponder what motivates someone to act against the obvious, seemingly disastrous outcome.

As you traverse the eerie, malfunctioning apartment building, a gauge alerts you of escalating peril. When you return, before you can fully absorb the horrific monsters and misfortunes you barely escaped, you’re rewarded with a heap of extra experience points – quite exhilarating! Your pitiful in-game character seems to enjoy the adrenaline rush of delving into such bizarre circumstances. It’s somewhat unsettling, oddly fascinating, yet… truthful, as well.

Embracing the unknown can be likened to the thrilling hint given by the latest Wizardry game: Savor the Unknown. Instead of wasting all your time on video games, puzzles, endless social media scrolling, and frequent trips to the vending machine for snacks, you’d eventually find yourself in a mental rut. Why not answer the door when it knocks, or venture out yourself to see what awaits downstairs? You never know what adventures are waiting, and curiosity can be a stronger driving force than one might realize. It’s your pathway to unraveling mysteries, growing stronger, and perhaps finding an escape route. Choosing to flourish rather than just exist has a certain allure. Even if it leads you into situations that seem dangerous and hard to comprehend.

Look Outside has a unique and intriguing design where every door presents a surprise. You never know whether you’ll stumble upon a taxidermist who’s gone too far, having constructed a labyrinthine dungeon filled with armor and weapons within their apartment, or if rats of assorted sizes have overrun an entire floor. Alternatively, it might seem like a regular, vacant apartment, but pay attention to the light switch on the wall – it’s always a thrill to turn a corner and discover what Coulombe has concocted this time. With any luck, you’ll encounter numerous oddities before your visit ends, creating an experience reminiscent of a madcap amusement park.

Survival horror, but with leveling up!

As a gamer, I’ve been diving headfirst into Look Outside, but let me tell you, things aren’t always smooth sailing. The game is packed with lethal traps, relentless chase sequences, and combat that seems to be stacked against me. It feels like I’m constantly bumping into the ‘Game Over’ screen, which can be a bit of a bummer, especially if I haven’t saved in a while. The game does offer an easier difficulty mode, but it doesn’t quite take the edge off entirely. To increase my chances of survival, I find myself grinding XP and scouring for equipment that makes life a little less tough.

The challenge is engaging, yet it can get frustrating when I’m out exploring, playing cautiously, only to stumble into an enemy encounter where I don’t have the stats to pull through. Repeating sections in a horror game like this really dampens the atmosphere, especially given its slower pace. Balancing the toughness of the game with the need for exploration and XP is quite a feat, indeed.

Fortunately, the combat is quite engaging. It offers a variety of skills based on weapons and knowledge from video games, plus an unexpected durability system that encourages experimentation. The enemies resemble the opposite of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Quest style in a creative way, often transforming or closing in during battle to deal psychic damage. Scarcity of resources and XP grinding can be problematic, but I found the lower difficulty level a suitable balance without feeling too easy.

Upon learning that Coulombe contributed to the cult favorite, Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden, I anticipated an exciting journey by association alone. However, Look Outside surpassed my expectations with its profoundly imaginative chaos. Every step was a mix of apprehension and dark amusement, as I never knew what lay ahead, feared the potential consequences, yet couldn’t bear to look away.

Although the balance between random enemy attacks could have been improved, and the controller functionality felt odd at times, any annoyance from game-halting deaths quickly vanished when the next harrowing experience presented itself. In truth, I was disappointed when the ride finally ended.

On March 21, 2025, you can find Look Outside available for PC download. The publisher has supplied a code for this review to use.

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2025-03-21 18:28