Look Outside: Everything We Know

​Look Outside is a survival horror role-playing game developed by Francis Coulombe and published by Devolver Digital. In less than a week since its release, the game has attracted the attention of horror game fans for its unsettling ambience and engaging mechanics. The game puts players in a chilling narrative within a single apartment building, where they must fight unearthly creatures to survive.

As players navigate the eerie corridors and dimly lit rooms, they must confront unearthly creatures that seem to defy the laws of reality. Each encounter demands careful planning, as supplies are scarce, and every action could mean the difference between survival and succumbing to the horrors that inhabit the building. The game’s unique blend of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving ensures that players remain constantly engaged while uncovering the dark secrets that lie within. ​Look Outside received a surprise release on PC, and we’ve compiled everything we know about the game.

What is Look Outside?

Look Outside is a survival horror role-playing game that blends classic RPG mechanics with psychological horror. Strategy, decisions and choices are just as important as combat skills in the game. The game occurs inside a single apartment complex, where residents are trapped after a horrifying and mysterious event. The game blends resource management, exploration, and turn-based combat, all woven into a world of horror. 

Story

The story in Look Outside blends cosmic and body horror. The main character is trapped in their apartment building, seeking to survive the chaos that unfolds. You play Sam, a character who wakes up one day and finds an eerie glow seeping through the curtains of your window. A neighbour warns you not to look outside. A simple act of looking out your window could doom you and transform you into a grotesque monster. 

The game unfolds within the confines of a single apartment building. The players must navigate the dark corridors, interact with strange and unsettling characters, and uncover the mystery behind the horrifying events. Players scavenge the building for food, supplies, and weapons while encountering strange human and unearthly characters. Players must survive in the building for 15 days until it is safe to leave. 

The story is not linear, with multiple endings that depend on the player’s choices and interactions throughout the game. Every decision matters as players navigate every corner of the apartment building. The game’s story opens up to several questions. Do you trust the strangers inside the building? How long can you survive? And most importantly, will you dare to look outside?

Gameplay

Look Outside gameplay blends traditional turn-based RPG combat mechanics with survival horror elements. Core elements of the experience include managing resources, crafting items, and engaging in turn-based combat against the mutated former residents. Players navigate surreal environments as they interact with objects and characters to uncover the mystery surrounding the narrative.

Resource management is a big part of the gameplay. Players must scavenge and manage resources such as food, supplies, and hygiene products to maintain health and sanity. This adds a layer of strategy and tension to the experience.

Combat is turn-based, with strategic and brutal fights. The game features over 150 creatures, which can start in the distance and gradually reveal themselves, creating a horrifying experience. Weapons are fragile and can break, adding tension to the battles with the building’s mutated creatures. Players can recruit allies and equip them with various items and weapons. 

Players can explore the building and discover other hidden areas. The game includes a Danger Meter, which rewards players with experience points for taking risks and staying out longer. However, this increases the risk of encountering more dangerous enemies. 

In addition to combat and exploration, players can engage in other activities within their apartment, such as cooking meals, playing video games, and crafting tools. These activities provide a sense of normalcy and realism. However, players can also use them for other benefits like restoring health and unlocking new abilities

The game features an unsettling atmosphere, detailed pixel art, and innovative gameplay mechanics that effectively blend survival horror elements with turn-based RPG combat. The game’s grotesque monster designs and eerie ambience contribute to the game’s horror experience. 

Trailer

The official launch trailer captures the game’s spooky atmosphere. It presents the protagonist’s situation and the danger of looking out the window to the audience. The trailer also shows the horrors that lurk within the apartment building, giving players a glimpse of the horrors awaiting them inside the apartment complex. Players get to see the game’s focus on survival and exploration as the trailer highlights the need to scavenge for supplies and uncover the mysteries of the building. The trailer’s unsettling visuals and haunting soundtrack set the mood and tone for a horror experience. If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, it’s worth checking out. 

Development

Look Outside’s development has an inspiring story of creativity and collaboration. The game is developed by an indie developer, Francis Coulombe, a Canadian pixel artist and developer known for his work on Katana Zero. Coulombe, known by his online moniker, FrankieSmileShow, first developed the game as a game jam project. He initially released the demo version on Itch.io.

The game caught players’ attention due to its core mechanics and unique approach to horror. The demo’s attention and success caught the interest of Devolver Digital, a publisher known for supporting indie developers. The game evolved from a small, short-term project into a full-fledged survival horror RPG. Coulombe expanded the game into a complete release, enhancing its narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, and overall polish.

The initial demo of Look Outside gained significant traction among horror game enthusiasts, with many praising its engaging mechanics, eerie storytelling, and unsettling ambience. The positive reception and growing buzz around the demo caught the attention of Devolver Digital, a publisher renowned for supporting indie developers and helping bring unique, unconventional games to a wider audience. Recognizing the game’s potential, Devolver Digital provided the necessary backing for the project to evolve beyond its modest beginnings.

Release Date and Platforms

Look Outside launched on March 21, 2025, and is available exclusively on PC via Steam. The game was released as a surprise and has received considerable attention from horror genre fans due to its innovative gameplay mechanics and atmospheric setting. There have been no official announcements on whether the game will launch on other consoles.