Look Outside

A Twisted Sanctuary
Within the confines of 'Look Outside', players find themselves trapped in a singular apartment building, a place where safety is an illusion and the unknown lurks just beyond the glass. To gaze outside is to invite transformation into an abomination, a fate worse than death. Here, the gameplay revolves around the delicate dance between exploration and dread, compelling players to scavenge for resources while avoiding the siren call of the windows. The turn-based combat system adds layers of strategic depth, transforming each encounter with the grotesque into a chilling game of chess against madness itself.
Narrative Shadows and Sanity's Edge
The narrative of 'Look Outside' is shrouded in ambiguity, a labyrinth of half-whispered secrets and shadowy figures. As you navigate this world, sanity becomes your silent companion, whispering doubts and fears into the player's mind. The game deftly weaves psychological tension into its mechanics, making each decision feel weighted with existential dread. This is a tale where answers are not given freely, and the cost of knowing may be your very soul. It's within this tension that the game thrives, leaving players questioning what is real and what is merely the reflection of their own fears.
Atmospheric Nightmare
Atmosphere is the beating heart of 'Look Outside', where every creak of the floorboards and flicker of the lights tells a story of its own. The game excels in crafting a world that feels both claustrophobic and boundless, a paradox that perfectly captures the essence of Lovecraftian horror. The aesthetic of body horror is impeccably rendered, presenting creatures that are both eerily familiar and hauntingly alien. This visual feast is complemented by an eerie soundscape that amplifies every moment of unease, ensuring players are never truly comfortable in their surroundings.
Strange Companions and Uncertain Alliances
In the midst of chaos, 'Look Outside' offers a glimmer of hope through its cast of eccentric characters. These potential allies, each with their own quirks and motives, can be recruited to join you in your fight for survival. However, trust is a fragile thing, and the line between friend and foe is often blurred. The interactions with these characters add an additional layer of complexity to the gameplay, as players must navigate not only the physical dangers of their world but also the emotional intricacies of human (and inhuman) relationships.
The Unending Question
With multiple endings to uncover, 'Look Outside' is a game that invites players to question their every choice. It offers a deeply personal experience, where each playthrough reveals new truths and deeper mysteries. The game's brevity, spanning 3 to 6 hours, is both a strength and a limitation, providing a concentrated dose of horror that may leave some yearning for more answers. Yet, in typical Lovecraftian tradition, it is the questions left unanswered that resonate the most, echoing long after the game has ended.
Image Gallery






Core Mechanics
A hybrid of survival RPG and psychological horror, 'Look Outside' features strategic, turn-based encounters set in a semi-open apartment block under siege from reality-warping phenomena.
-
Turn-Based Combat
Combat is methodical, encouraging timing, resource management, and use of environmental hazards.
-
Sanity System
Sanity affects perception, combat, and narrative options. Losing control unlocks powers, but also dangers.
-
Ally Management
Characters can be recruited, managed, or lost. Bonds evolve over time, affecting story and combat options.
-
Crafting and Exploration
Loot, craft, and repair gear while unraveling the building’s mysteries. But beware — every window tempts madness.
Survival Tips for the Unhinged
In 'Look Outside', knowledge is power — and risk. Here’s how to stay alive and (relatively) sane.
-
Avoid the Windows
Unless specifically prepared, don’t look. It’s not just a mechanic — it’s a gamble with your mind.
-
Build Bonds Early
Talk to survivors. Learn their habits. They might save your life — or betray you. But solitude is worse.
-
Manage Resources Wisely
Ammo, light sources, and food are scarce. Stockpile when safe. Be ruthless when needed.
-
Trust Nothing at First Glance
Not all items or people are what they appear to be. Pay attention to descriptions, dialogue, and hallucinations.
-
Experiment with Madness
Losing sanity can unlock paths, conversations, or abilities not available to the stable. Sometimes, fear is fuel.
Playstyle Archetypes
There are no classes, but your build is defined by sanity management, gear loadout, and ally synergy.
-
The Stoic Survivor
Focuses on preserving sanity, slow and methodical play, safe zones, and calculated risk. Minimal hallucination exposure.
-
The Fragile Oracle
Embraces insanity to gain insight. Sees hidden truths and unlocks narrative threads others miss. But at a cost.
-
The Charismatic Leader
Centers on ally recruitment and relationship systems. Optimized for group survivability and ending variants.
-
The Rogue Idealist
Prioritizes stealth, trickery, and misdirection. Strong when solo but fragile. Sanity-neutral to avoid extremes.
Game Session

The walls whispered again last night. I had just returned from the stairwell, bloodied and empty-handed. Carla was gone. Just a tattered coat and a photo of her smiling outside — before she looked. I buried it in the radiator’s rusted crevice. Now I know why the light flickers. It isn’t faulty wiring. It’s blinking, watching.
Thematic and Cultural Influences
'Look Outside' draws on a variety of horror traditions, weaving them into a unique narrative space.
-
Lovecraftian Cosmic Horror
The unknowable terror beyond perception — looking outside shatters logic. You aren’t supposed to understand.
-
Silent Hill & Apartment Horror
Tight, symbolic space used as psychological reflection of trauma. Every room is a mind.
-
Body Horror Aesthetics
Transformations are not just grotesque but intimate — the price of forbidden knowledge made flesh.
-
Tarkovsky’s ‘Stalker’ Vibe
Slow dread, metaphysical territory, human fragility against the unknown. The apartment is your ‘Zone’.
Latest News
- Patch Notes 1.04
Hello everyone, here is a new round of fixes and updates! There is a new public beta branch available! Untested builds will go there before going live. I may put balance tweaks, fixes and content additions there early for testing, but be careful, the beta will be less stable! A larger update will come in about a month, and I will be using the beta branch for early testing during that time. If you find a bug, always mention your build number on the title screen in your report! For instructions on opting in to the beta branch, scroll to the bottom of these patch notes. Additions: Added a popular controller/key configuration plugin to help with control setups. Fixed the weird name input screen not having an obvious/easily accessible Delete button Added Hungry Steve. Balance Tweaks: Dan: Resto...
- Patch Notes 1.03
Hello everyone, here is a big one for you horror lovers! This update comes with many adjustments, balancing and new features to various party members. The goal here is to balance them out - weaken the really overpowered stuff and strengthen the weaker characters, make them more interesting wherever we can. We want to have the roommates on a more even footing before we tweak the game to be overall harder in its second half. There are also some preliminary balance changes on some late game enemies, but nothing too complicated yet. Warning, there are spoilers for secrets in the update notes! New Content: Ernest now has a little friend with him. (this is in preparation for the next, bigger Ernest-related update. Added a new friend next door. I didnt realize until now that I forgot to put this ...
- Patch Notes 1.02
Hello everyone who still didn't look outside! Please note that these patches always have some spoilers. I added spoiler tags to minimize this where I can. Tread carefully... some stones are better left unturned. Here is a new list of all the changes and bugfixes: Additions/ Level Changes: Floor 1 now has more landmarks to help with navigation and make it easier to find some locations. Jeanne now tells the player she has been getting worse on entry if you return to her after reaching Floor 1. Spore Queen dialogue adjusted to clarify which options lead to certain outcomes. Moved a character further south in the little basement monster camp and added some mushroom items near the south door to help people notice it. Added attack animations to the perfect ritual ending final boss to improve its...
Final Verdict
Look Outside offers a chilling Lovecraftian experience that excels in atmosphere and narrative depth. It's a must-play for those who revel in psychological horror and existential dread. If you love exploring the fragility of sanity and the cost of knowledge, you should try Look Outside.
Strengths
- Deep atmospheric tension and claustrophobic setting
- Complex narrative with rich character interactions
- Inventive turn-based combat with strategic depth
Weaknesses
- Short playtime might leave players wanting more answers
Editorial Review

Look Outside masterfully manipulates tension with its strategic combat and resource management systems. The interplay between exploration and the sanity mechanics creates a symphony of fear that challenges the player's logic and instincts.

This game is a melancholic reflection on the nature of fear and knowledge. 'Look Outside' forces players to confront the cost of seeking truth, weaving a narrative that is both haunting and thought-provoking.

Mechanically, 'Look Outside' offers a robust challenge with its survival and combat systems. It's unforgiving yet rewarding for those who can navigate its dangers with precision and strategy.

There's an eerie beauty in the world of 'Look Outside', where horror and wonder intertwine. The game's aesthetic captivates even as it terrifies, inviting players to explore the darkness with a sense of enchanted dread.
You might also like
About the author

Neith
I’m Neith. I walk the edges of madness and meaning. Stories that disturb, games that whisper — those are my domain.