The Outlast Trials' New Prime Asset Introduces A Unique Type Of Horror

The Outlast Trials' newest prime asset, Franco "II Bambino" Barbi, is one of the games' strangest and most unsettling characters yet - and in a game that celebrates psychological terror as much as Outlast, that just might make Barbi the game's best villain. Barbi is terrifying not only in his appearance but his... unique approach to taking down his victims, which involves both a deadly shotgun and, more unexpectedly, a pacifier.

Barbi is the first of the prime assets to use a shotgun, making him all the more threatening and requiring players to switch up the way they approach encounters with him. The deadly weapon he wields is called "Lupara," explaining the season's name: Project Lupara. Not only is it intimidating, but it gives Barbi the ability to injure players from a distance.

Strangely, Barbi not only wields a shotgun but a pacifier; the pink and yellow accessory dramatically contrasts the rest of his appearance, but reminds players of his childlike demeanour.

In fact, Red Barrels describes him as a "giant, wailing manbaby," noting that he's "driven by craven entitlement, greed, and psychosexual violence, fueled by his impotence and insecurities."

Outlast Trials' newest prime asset will first join the game in his very own trial, Poison the Medicine, which is set on the new map, The Docks.

This new map deepens Barbi's lore; it's the home of his drug manufacturing business, showing that, while he might be immature, he's still capable of mass, organized crime. He's the son of a mafia don from Louisiana's criminal underworld, his upbringing likely encouraging him to continue his life of evil.

Franco Barbi is a strange character, but that's exactly what makes him perfect for The Outlast Trials. His shotgun shows he's not afraid to use brute force, while his pacifier and childlike attitude reminds players that he likely can't be reasoned with.

We're excited to see how his introduction to The Outlast Trials switches up the game, as he's both an interesting addition gameplay-wise and regarding his lore.