Unveiling the Terrifying Depths of Layers of Fear

Bloober Team has cemented its reputation as one of the top developers in the horror gaming industry, which can be attributed to their successful title, Layers of Fear, released in 2016. Inspired by Hideo Kojima's PT, the game was a first-person horror experience that took place in a haunted house. A DLC and sequel followed, which are now all included in a reimagined collection.

The 2023 version of Layers of Fear has been divided into three parts. The first is a remake of the original game and its Inheritance DLC, along with an additional new chapter titled The Final Note. The second part is a redo of Layers of Fear 2, and the third is a narrative centered around a writer in a lighthouse, which serves as a framing device for the main games. However, if you have already played the original game and its sequel, you may not find enough new content in this collection to justify purchasing it.

The 2023 version of Layers of Fear follows a similar storyline to the original game, leading one to question why it is not considered a remake. While there are some differences, the core experience remains the same, with players assuming the role of an artist who explores a spooky old house and is confronted with supernatural terrors. The gameplay involves navigating from one eerie scene to the next, but the game falls short of being truly frightening, relying heavily on horror clichés and predictable jump scares.

The lantern is a new addition to Layers of Fear, allowing players to defend themselves against the occasional appearance of the ghostly woman. While it is used in some puzzles, it fails to significantly differentiate the redone version from the original 2016 release. For those unfamiliar with the game, Layers of Fear is akin to a haunted house ride in video game form, with a ghostly presence that is easily subdued by the lantern. As a result, players quickly realize there is little to fear, draining the game of any suspense or tension it might have otherwise had.

Layers of Fear falls short in its attempt to be scary and lacks engaging puzzles and an interesting storyline. The Inheritance DLC and The Final Note offer little substance, with players taking on the roles of the artist's daughter and wife, respectively. Although Layers of Fear 2 is an improvement on the first game, it still suffers from similar story-related issues.

Layers of Fear 2 takes players on a chilling adventure aboard a haunted cruise ship, offering a fresh change of setting from the original game. While it relies on familiar horror tropes, it introduces heart-pumping chase sequences that add a new level of excitement to the gameplay. Throughout the game, players must evade a relentless monster by quickly moving obstacles and shutting doors in its path, creating intense and unforgettable moments. Although it falls short of being truly terrifying and lacks a compelling storyline, Layers of Fear 2's improved puzzles and chase sequences make it a more enjoyable experience.

In addition to the main game, players also take on the role of a writer trapped in a lighthouse. While this additional content may appeal to die-hard fans of the series, it lacks originality and fails to provide a satisfying conclusion to the story. The multiple endings, while a trademark of the Layers of Fear franchise, ultimately disappoint, leaving players feeling unfulfilled after investing so much time into the game.

Those seeking terrifying tales may not find them in Layers of Fear, but the gameplay is satisfactory, if not particularly remarkable. Despite its flaws, however, the latest installment of Layers of Fear boasts impressive graphics. Built with Unreal Engine 5, the 2023 game takes visual quality to new heights and stands out as one of the best-looking horror games to date. The photo-realistic graphics imbue each environment with a lifelike quality that is hard to fault. In fact, some players may find the visuals alone worth the price of admission, if only to marvel at the stunning imagery.

The Layers of Fear games collection is now available at an affordable price of $29.99. This value-packed collection offers horror fans two full games with added content and stunning graphics. Though the games themselves may not be extraordinary, the 2023 Layers of Fear provides substantial content for its price. However, it's worth noting that while Layers of Fear put Bloober Team on the map, the studio has since released superior games like Observer, the Blair Witch game, and The Medium, which horror enthusiasts may want to explore before delving into Layers of Fear.

Bloober Team's Layers of Fear (2023) is the ultimate horror game package for fans of the franchise. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, this game features updated versions of 2016's Layers of Fear and its sequel, including all their DLC. As a bonus, a new story called The Lighthouse Chapter has been added to tie all the stories together. Launching on June 15 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, Layers of Fear is a must-play for horror game enthusiasts. Our review was based on a PC code provided by the developers.