Prepare to Hide, 'Outlast II' is Almost Here

In just two week's time, fans of survival horror games will rejoice. 'Outlast II' comes out April 25, 2017, around 3 years after the release of 'Outlast.'

Players will sneak around a more open world this time, evading murderous religious extremists in a rural wasteland. Red Barrels, the developer, wishes to immerse players in a more intricate story than the original by featuring amicable-yet-still-creepy characters who engage in dialogue rather than hurling axes at you.

For those unfamiliar with the series, 'Outlast' is similar to Frictional Games's 'Amnesia' which, following in the footsteps of the OG survival horror 'Penumbra' (2007), blew up the gaming industry by attracting players to a whole new genre.

The Resident Evil series tried to change their tune to match the likes of 'Outlast' and 'Amnesia' in January with their release of 'Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.' RE7 features stealth, jump scares, VCR-inception, and first-person gameplay much like 'Outlast.'

Newcomers to the survival horror genre should not play without keeping some optimal-experience tips in mind:

1. Wear headphones. This is an absolute must to place yourself in the universe of the game and experience holophonic sounds. Tuning in carefully to blood-thirsty assailants will help you escape alive.
2. Turn off the lights. If the game is dark and your room is light, what's the point? Don't water down your gameplay with the lights on... unless you're too scared.
3. Don't speak. Chances are, your pals will want to watch you jump out of your skin. They are welcome to watch but don't be tempted to comment on your experience because it will distance you from the game world. The goal is to completely immerse yourself — Imagine what survival horror in VR will be like!

Stock up on flashlight batteries and bandages — good luck.