Summary

• Release Year: 2008
• Genres: Adventure
• Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
• Developers: Phantomery Interactive
• Publishers: The Adventure Company

Outcry (2008): A Haunting Psychological Thriller

Outcry is a first person psychological thriller point-and-click adventure game developed by Appeal and published by DreamCatcher Interactive. It was released for Microsoft Windows in 2008.

The player takes on the role of Victor Hoffman, a writer who receives a letter from his brother, a scientist, who invites him to his home so that he can show him the results of his project, and he can get some ideas for his next book. However, once Victor arrives, he finds that his brother has mysteriously vanished, leaving all his material possessions to him – including a large, strange machine and a message telling him not to reproduce his experiments.

Victor soon discovers that his brother was working on a machine that could tap into the collective unconscious of humanity. He also discovers that his brother’s disappearance may be connected to a series of strange and disturbing events that have been happening in the town.

As Victor investigates his brother’s disappearance and the strange events happening in the town, he begins to experience strange visions and hallucinations. He also starts to hear voices in his head, and he becomes increasingly paranoid and distrustful of others.

Victor must use his wits and courage to uncover the truth behind his brother’s disappearance and the strange events happening in the town. He must also face his own inner demons and confront the darkness that lies within him.

Gameplay

Outcry is a point-and-click adventure game played from a first-person perspective. The player controls Victor as he explores his brother’s house and the town, interacting with objects and characters, and solving puzzles.

The game features a variety of puzzles, including inventory puzzles, environmental puzzles, and logic puzzles. The puzzles are generally challenging, but they are all fair and logical.

The game also features a number of stealth sections, in which Victor must avoid being detected by enemies. These sections are tense and exciting, and they add a sense of danger to the game.

Setting

Outcry is set in a small town in the American Midwest. The town is a dark and oppressive place, with a palpable sense of unease. The game’s atmosphere is one of constant dread and paranoia, and the player never feels truly safe.

The game’s environments are all highly detailed and atmospheric. The player will explore a variety of locations, including Victor’s brother’s house, the town’s police station, and an abandoned asylum.

Characters

The characters in Outcry are all well-developed and believable. Victor is a complex and flawed protagonist, and the player will find themselves rooting for him as he tries to uncover the truth and save himself.

The other characters in the game are equally well-developed. The player will meet a variety of characters, including Victor’s brother, the town’s sheriff, and a mysterious woman who seems to know more than she lets on.

Themes

Outcry explores a number of dark and disturbing themes, including madness, paranoia, and the nature of evil. The game does not shy away from these themes, and it presents them in a realistic and unflinching way.

The game also explores the power of the human mind. Victor’s brother’s machine has the ability to tap into the collective unconscious of humanity, and this gives Victor a glimpse into the dark side of human nature.

Conclusion

Outcry is a haunting and atmospheric psychological thriller that will stay with you long after you finish playing it. The game’s story is gripping, the atmosphere is intense, and the puzzles are challenging. If you’re a fan of horror games, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Score: 8/10

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots