Unveiling Layers of Fear (2023): Is the Remake Worth Every Shiver?

Bloober Team's 2023 rendition of Layers of Fear harnesses the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 to craft a truly exceptional edition of its preceding releases in the series. By introducing a new protagonist and constructing a narrative framework to recount the events of previous games, Bloober has ingeniously blended together a captivating yet chilling game that successfully functions as both a remake and a sequel simultaneously.

In their efforts to create this remake, Bloober has gone above and beyond simply adding new content. They have meticulously reimagined the series' initial installment, offering players of all skill levels an engaging experience as they strive to unravel the intricacies of the complete storyline.

Layers of Fear Remake vs. the Original

The utilization of Unreal Engine 5 for the rebuild enables Bloober Team to harness notable enhancements in the game's visuals, such as 4k graphics and ray-tracing capabilities. Alongside these improvements, two fresh playable stories have been incorporated, adding to the overall experience.

Moreover, Bloober has extensively expanded the Painter's Story subsection, which serves as a remake of the primary storyline featured in the series' initial release in 2016. This 2023 remake of the Painter's Story offers an almost twofold increase in size and duration, introducing new rooms to explore, puzzles to solve, and enhanced mechanical functionalities.

In addition, players will have the option to utilize a lantern which operates in a similar manner to the flashlight found in Layers of Fear 2. This lantern proves essential for interacting with specific objects within the environment, warding off certain adversaries, and naturally, illuminating the path through the dim and desolate corridors.

Furthermore, Bloober introduces two fresh playable characters, namely The Writer and The Musician. Although The Writer has a relatively brief amount of playable time, she serves as the central protagonist in the 2023 installment. Players will have the chance to delve into her backstory and uncover her connection to the other characters through the various chapters of the Writer's Story.

The Musician's Story offers players a fresh perspective by allowing them to step into the shoes of the Painter's wife and explore the narrative from her point of view. Although both stories are not excessively long, they add depth and fear to the overall storyline, complementing the events and experiences encountered throughout the game.

Is the Layers of Fear Remake Worth Playing?

Despite the expanded searchable areas and new stories in Layers of Fear (2023), the game can still be completed in approximately 13 hours on a first playthrough. However, due to the game's ability to consistently unsettle and keep players on edge throughout extended periods, the 13-hour playtime feels much longer, especially considering the majority of gameplay involves walking and reading.

In contrast, players who appreciate slower-paced storytelling and atmospheric games will thoroughly enjoy delving into the numerous narratives and navigating the ever-changing, lifelike settings. With its captivating visuals and spine-chilling nature, Layers of Fear (2023) proves to be a stunning and terrifying addition to Bloober Team's renowned series, albeit catering to a specific gaming community.

Layers of Fear (2023) is available now on PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, and Series S|X.