Red Barrels Unveils PROJECT LUPARA: New Villain, Map, and More for The Outlast Trials

Prolific indie horror studio Red Barrels has announced its first major update for their latest title, The Outlast Trials, introducing a slew of new content that promises to heighten the terror and excitement. Dubbed PROJECT LUPARA, this update is set to launch on July 16, bringing an all-new villain, map, trials, abilities, cosmetics, and more.

Meet the New Villain: Franco “Il Bambino” Barbi

For the first time in the Outlast series, players will face a gun-wielding villain. Franco Barbi, the mother’s-milk-loving mobster and the perverse son of New Orleans mafia don Salvatore Barbi, is driven by craven entitlement and psychosexual violence. Armed with a sawed-off shotgun, Franco is a formidable foe, making chases even more challenging for players. When he’s not using his weapon to blow someone to smithereens, he sucks on it like a pacifier, adding a twisted layer to his already disturbing persona.

New Map: “The Docks”

Franco Barbi finds his victims in his drug manufacturing domain, "The Docks." This new map is designed to drag both the weak and powerful down to Franco’s level. Players will need to solve deadly puzzles and escape Franco's tantrums to survive.

New Trials and MK-Challenges

PROJECT LUPARA introduces several new trials and challenges, including:

• Poison the Medicine: A new story trial where Reagents face Franco in "The Docks."
• Mansion Escape: An evolved version of the final trial, "Farewell Mansion," with new experiences and an all-new ending.
• Fuel the Release: Carry fuel to power the court and secure your liberty.
• Teach the Police Officer: Replace the precinct’s training film with Murkoff’s reels to make future crimes your own.

New Game Mode: Escalation Therapy

This rogue-lite mode pits reagents against a never-ending series of randomized trials with variations until they succumb to Permadeath. Players start with nothing and build their load-outs from Murkoff’s limited selection of upgrades, with rewards growing the longer they survive.

New Player Ability: The Barricade

A new rig called "The Barricade" allows players to block paths, buying time to complete objectives while pursuers are forced to find alternative routes.

Difficulty Options and Mini-Games

Players can now choose from four difficulty settings: Introductory, Standard, Intense, and Psychosurgery. A new lobby mini-game, the Stroop Effect Test, challenges players to correctly select the colour of a word that spells the name of a different colour.

Daily & Weekly Tasks and Catalogs

PROJECT LUPARA introduces daily and weekly tasks that reward players with various prizes. New catalogues, including the “A New You” standard catalogue and the “Project Lupara” deluxe catalogue, offer a mix of old and new cosmetics.

Limited Time Event: The Bambino Special

Running for the first four weeks post-update, this event sees Franco Barbi appearing in specific trials and MK challenges, alongside other notable characters like Mother Gooseberry or Sergeant Coyle. The event is split into two parts, each lasting two weeks.

New DLC: “The Exotica Pack”

Available for $19.99, this exclusive set includes four legendary outfits, E.S.O.P.s, cell items, cell posters, and player icons, allowing players to customize their horrific journey.

New Comic Book Chapter

Chapter 3 of the Murkoff Collections comic book series releases on July 12, delving into the chilling backstory of Franco 'Il Bambino' Barbi.

About The Outlast Trials

The Outlast Trials, the third installment in Red Barrels’ critically acclaimed psychological horror series, combines survival horror with online escape room gameplay. Set in 1959 during the Cold War, players become human guinea pigs, involuntarily recruited to test mind control methods. In a 4-player co-op, complete escape room-style puzzles while avoiding the twisted victims of Murkoff’s experiments. Upgrade your therapies and prepare to face unimaginable horrors.

The Outlast Trials is now available digitally for PC, PlayStation®, and Xbox®.

With PROJECT LUPARA, Red Barrels continues to expand the horrifying world of The Outlast Trials, offering players new ways to test their nerves and survive the nightmarish trials. Prepares to face Franco Barbi and the terrors that await on July 16.