why am i firmly set around my theory regarding Ouʇlasts ending?
below cut to ensure no spoilers (i know it’s been weeks since game release, but still)
It must be reiterated that the Outlast series has been based around science and for the most part rational explanation, while internal perceptions within the game - made by the characters in the Outlast universe - latch onto what is believed mysticism, based solely on bonded rationality. Characters believe chaotic and supernatural acts are caused by ‘higher’ powers, which is by their limited comprehension, a possible celestial power greater than science - i.e., god. Bonded rationality pertains to what the viewer beholds, and what is within their realm of knowledge, information, and how that is interpreted.
Thus, the ending cut scene is taken for what it could represent - the extended subconscious of one Blake, and not his final moments in death, nor him going into a supernatural state of purgatory based around religious upbringing. Blake holds a perception of what has become of his ‘mind state’, and he may believe he is in some form of purgatory or hell, or heaven. Yet we, the third-party omniscient presence, are no more wiser to his fate.
Secondly, it is theorized that the bright light in the sky was a bomb dropped to clean out the evidence of Murkoff’s activities. This can be easily argued against as anything but a bomb or other sterilization device. One, as stated in a theory post, Blake could have as easily suffered a severe seizure due to stress and trauma, and triggered by a possible tumor like growth - if the microwaves had those such severe side-effects. The frequency waves spun everyone affected into a deranged state, it could cause other abnormalities not tumor related. But tumor is a high possibility, due to those surviving in the mines still under the influence despite being in a blackout zone. No bright searing lights or radio waves beneath 800 feet of solid rock.
Why wouldn’t Murkoff drop a bomb? tho? Why would they? Why would they want to? Knoth said himself, “god has gone silent” to him, which indicated - we know this - that Murkoff ceased their brain scrambler ray. In effect, this drove Knoth to eradicate his followers; make them drink ‘koolaid’, if you would. This seems to be a very effective way of cleaning out evidence, but was this Murkoff’s intent? It is highly possible, since they knew enough from their experiments (a note found in game supports this theory) that this was a highly likely outcome, if the intensity of the microwaves were increased or adjusted. Knoth hit the point where he ordered his followers to commit infanticide, aside from other atrocious acts - lets face it though, Knoth and his people became a special sort of fucked up Saturday night bunch. This method of cleaning out evidence was more likely Murkoff’s intent and achievement through microwave frequency, and more versatile than dropping a bomb or whatever. Additionally, a bomb is not guaranteed to knock out the denizens of the underground - I mean, the mines weren’t a whole lot of stable, but it wouldn’t be a guarantee wipe. So, enforce and send in the rabid lot to do the bulk of the work, have them kill each other out, then, go in with a tact team to find any stragglers.
And if Murkoff was keeping close tabs on their fucked up science project, they would be aware of the Heretical faction and the Squabble (Scalled).
On that note, this isn’t Resident Evil. In contrast, Outlast has strong basis of realism and rules; thus, there’s limited capabilities on the protagonists part. Murkoff is based on a practical, cold, clinical, bureaucratic entity - there’s no flash, glamour, no show of power. Murkoff commits crimes in secrecy and sort of disappears....
No argument Murkoff has the power and could utilize a bomb to eradicate the evidence, but they wouldn’t need to for fact that the evidence wouldn’t exist in the first place. The only equipment that could possibly deduce that a radio frequency/microwaves was used, would be owned by Murkoff - if radio waves could be measured out of a decaying cadaver. But who would suspect, and who would fund an investigation into the extinction of a crazed, backwaters, religious cult located out in the boonies of Ari? Maybe Murkoff, out of ‘the goodness of their corporate responsibilities’ to get to the bottom of what drove these poor people to the depths of depravity - secretly, Murkoff would learn what they could from the corpses, while fabricating false evidence that it was... mineral deposits in the contaminated water or natural gas from the mines, pumping into the chasm. Seems legit.
However, if a weapon was used to slay all inhabitants of Temple Gate, there would be probable evidence for the crazed conspiracy theorists hunting Murkoff (Miles associates prolly) that some shady government cover-up went down; vs., no physical involvement, no connection. Setting Knoth up for mass-genocide would enforce a belief that members of Temple Gate were one of those fanatical cultists groups that commit genocide - the past repeats itself. Absolutely no one would question it, and if there were survivors, their mental state - after witnessing everything and experiencing it - would be mush. Blake was pretty broken by the time he walked out like a boss.
This theory is hinged on what was perceived, but lacks a great deal of firm supporting evidence. But bear in mind if there was no sterilization device and Blake did suffer a seizure of sorts, he’s still pretty much fucked.
But maybe Red Barrels made a response on twitter and said it was a djinn or something.
