When comparing Manhunt vs Outlast, the Slant community recommends Outlast for most people. In the question“What are the best horror games for PC?” Outlast is ranked 7th while Manhunt is ranked 16th. The most important reason people chose Outlast is:
Outlast combines its tense atmosphere, creepy setting, stellar sound design, and a cast of horrifying inpatients to deliver a truly nightmarish experience. The developers even replaced the usual flashlight found in horror games with a camcorder, which has this really creepy nightvision mode.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Great voice acting
Actor Brian Cox lends his voice to the game through an earpiece in the main characters ear. Often repulsive comments that are convincingly acted well. This adds to the level of polish of the game in that the voice acting is so convincing.
Pro Comments on the state of violence in media
While there has been violent games before the release of Manhunt, none had gone so far as to match what is found in some of the more over the top Animes and movies. At the time this game was released it was banned in numerous countries due to the violent decapitations and adult themes, but at its core the game comments on how society enjoys these things (much like the movie Running Man). While simultaneously getting banned the game got free press which lead to many sales. A funny situation in that the game is stating how people enjoy over the top violence through the story, by creating a game with over the top violence that sold well.
Pro Really scary
Outlast combines its tense atmosphere, creepy setting, stellar sound design, and a cast of horrifying inpatients to deliver a truly nightmarish experience. The developers even replaced the usual flashlight found in horror games with a camcorder, which has this really creepy nightvision mode.
Pro Unpredictable inpatients make exploration more tense
Outlast proves that people can be much scarier than ghosts. As you explore the dark hallways of the insane asylum, you’ll encounter many inpatients. Some of them good, some of them bad, but all of them crazy. So it’s sometimes really hard to tell which one will attack you. While some of them make it very obvious by holding knives or looking especially atrocious, sometimes they will attack unexpectedly. This uncertainty will creep inside your head, making exploration a lot more tense.
Pro Your character is really agile
Unlike most horror games where your character is clumsy and slow, in Outlast your character can actually move really well. Not only is your character fast enough to be able to outrun most enemies in the game, he also knows how to parkour. You can jump, grab ledges and climb them, and even slide over a table during a chase. This makes it a really refreshing horror experience.
Cons
Con Unrealistic gameplay
Ignoring even the crazy premise of a televised manhunt, the gameplay itself is unrealistic in the sens that this is a stealth game where the second the player gets into the shadow, no one can see him, no matter how close. This may be immersion breaking for some.
Con Steep leaning curve
The game is tough, and only gets tougher. This is a game for the hardcore and it shows, which may not appeal to everyone as it does take a commitment to move forward in this game.
Con A little too reliant on jump scares
In some parts of exploring the insane asylum there are too many jump scares one after another. After a while it loses its scare factor and instead becomes somewhat annoying. This feels like a missed opportunity to build on the dark and gritty atmosphere of the insane asylum.
Con No substance, unrealized potential and utterly disappointing
Once you get past the jump scares, gore and shock value you might find that there's very little to keep you invested and going back for more. Boredom may sink in nearing the end, with a sense of longing for the game to just be over. However, the night vision mechanic was fresh and unique at the time and introduced a sense of suspense, which other developers have lent from Outlast since. If you're a fan of traditional western horror games you will not disappointed, but if you're looking for something more to your horror games besides learning paths and jump scares, you might want to steer clear of Outlast.
Con Cliche story
The typical horror story protagonist goes to investigate a location that simply oozes danger. As if the abandoned SWAT trucks, locked doors, and boarded up windows were not telling enough, the protagonist realizes his terrible mistake right when there's no way back already.