u/Quxiotic

I really think the Outlast merch is pretty neat and cool, how you can get the poster you hang in the sleep room in real life.

I think the Outlast trials have always presented their lore really well. Seeing as we are reagents, it’s only natural we would have to piece together what’s going on. I’m just confused: is there any lore explanation or basis for Murkoff just leaving random documents out in trials? Anyways, seeing as Season 6 is leading to something big, I think it’s obviously the collapse or at least shutdown of Project Lathe. I want to speculate on the ending because I think I have somewhat an interesting idea on a way Red Barrels can take the ending. For what I understand in the lore right now, Easterman is losing it because even more somehow. He’s doing his own thing , and his assistant, Avellanos, is seeking to go over his head and take over (out of fear for the project failing and just wanting to get rid of Easterman for power). But while the internal Murkoff power struggle is going on, Amelia, despite being unconscious, still affects the reagents and is still seen as a savior. Some reagents are holding out for her to create another escape, and I imagine soon she’s going to wake up and start directly affecting the story again. Finally, with the introduction of Lilya, she could play a huge part in instigating an attack against Murkoff. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say she probably thinks these trials are the biggest evidence of rich people’s abuse of power and sin , so she probably wants to destroy Murkoff and his heathenism it stands for. Her whole shtick is manipulating people, so I think a very real possibility is she’s been manipulating guards, doctors, reagents, ex-pop, and maybe a prime asset? But I believe those are the main 4 factions:Easterman, Amelia, Avellanos, and Lilya that could have an impact on the ending. And I want to at least mention how great of an idea it would be to let us choose who to side with, seeing as choice is an important theme in the game. Here’s what I have theorized for each of the potential paths.

Siding with Dr. Easterman means the reagents see through the “lies” and believe in Easterman (at this point, they might not believe in Murkoff just Easterman). Sticking with him shows you believe in the therapy and agree with his narrative that he is god and the reagents will be martyrs for a new American era. I imagine this will result in his project, Lathe, continuing till his death, either of old age or at the hands of one of the various substances he uses.

Siding with Amelia is the most idealistic option. You know the therapy is a lie and a poor one at that, and the only result you would accept is total freedom from Murkoff. Despite the challenges, the risks, and the implausibility of total escape, you’re ready to risk it and go big in a jailbreak. I would hope attached to this choice would be a full-on trial execution of Easterman as revenge for the poor trial victims and the poor reagents who had to execute the victims.

Avellanos is probably the most boring option but one of the more probable outcomes. The reagents rebel against Easterman but are too scared to fully rebel with Amelia. Reagents would side with Avellanos because she might give some better conditions of the trials. This ending makes sense because it’s completely in character for Murkoff to replace a loose cannon of an employee like Easterman and then continue their unethical experiments with no consequences.

Finally, Lilya is the most fun and exciting ending. I think it would be almost like playing an ex-pop (does anyone else really, really, really want an ex-pop gamemode? I thought invasion could have been that, but it has its own flaws, so I want it because she would incite a bloody and violent insurrection. It would be neat to work in tandem with the ex-pop, other reagents, guards, and doctors, all under Lilya’s thrall, and after you kill Easterman, you all follow Lilya into the wilderness and join a cult very reminiscent of Outlast.

I hope you liked my ideas and if they made sense? I’m not sure about all the logistics, like if there would just be a community vote or a trial where you could choose in there? I’m not sure, but I think it’s a novel concept worth considering.

I was wondering if someone could clear stuff up about Easterman’s lore with the addition of Lilya. Someone said she’s helping his hair regrow? It’s evidenced by new images of Easterman with hair. So how or why is this happening? In the lore? Also, with Lilya, someone told me he’s somewhat sexually attracted to her? I don’t know where they got their information, but it may be true? She manipulates people like Easterman; it’s her whole shtick. Anyways, if that’s true that she’s helping his hair, that’s pretty nice of her. And if Easterman’s attracted to her, good for him for putting himself back out there after his wife left him. I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of Lilya (look at my other posts if you’re curious why), but if these are true, I might like her more. I’m pretty pro-Easterman, so whatever benefits him.

I have said once and I’ll say it again: Red Barrels knocked it out of the park with their character design for every character in the game. I will say reagents need some new customization, maybe some facial hair or extra stuff like an eyepatch, but that’s my only gripe with their choices. But which character do you think is the best designed out of some of the more major characters, the prime assets: Easterman, maybe an ex-pop? I personally think it’s between Dr. Easterman and Franco. I love, love, love his design. I think it’s the best to present him. He wants to be presented as powerful and mysterious (akin to God), so he casts his silhouette as such. But bring him to the light, and he’s just an insecure, balding (actually, can anyone confirm if he is still balding? I heard Lilya is making his hair regrown back. If so, that’s pretty cool or Lilya to do) sadist sitting at his desk. I think it’s fantastically well executed. I will give Franco consideration too. His head shows he’s been through some stuff. His pacifier and his oversized clothes harken to his infantilizing, and his eccentric, colored suit conveys his personality: being loud, brash, and using colorful language. Of course, the other characters have their merits. (Goodeberry’s puppet drill is super creative. Someone who looks like Coyle is someone you could probably find in real life. Lilya is fancy and ornate. (I have one question though: is she meant to be topless? If so, why? Does she have sexual themes tied to her character? I thought it strictly fanaticism, religion, and mysticism?) Anyways, the twins are grotesque. I’ll also say I always found the pouncer interesting, especially the Faraday cage part of her.) Anyways, my main thing is: who is your favorite character design? Also please answer my other questions.