by James Perkins
After terrifying players with the original game back in 2016, Bloober Team has given their haunting and fear-inducing game Layers of Fear the Unreal Engine 5 treatment with the aptly titled Layers of Fear (2023).
This package includes the 2016 original Layers of Fear, the 2019 sequel Layers of Fear 2 and all of the DLC, including a new one titled The Final Note – so there is plenty of content worthy of the price of this remake that may seem like a pointless cash grab on the surface.
In the game, players once again take control of a painter, a writer, and an actor as they experience and relive their horrific past traumas across the three narratives, in a tense and atmospheric horror that delivers the scares not through the traditional means some gamers may expect from a normal horror game. You really feel that you are in the shoes of the protagonist allowing for you yourself to unravel the mysteries of the troubled characters and feel their deep emotions as the horror unfolds.
That being said, the experience won’t be for everyone as there are no big set pieces – instead, opting for a slow burn that builds up to a satisfying crescendo. The controls and way to navigate the narrative are simple but effective, and the improvements in graphics, sound impact and user interface are worth the admission price alone.
Overall, Layers of Fear (2023) is the quintessential way to experience Bloober Team’s great horror title which offers enough to warrant returning players to delve into their pockets again and gives new players a completely terrifying package.
PLATFORM: PC, XBOX SERIES, PS5 (REVIEWED) | OUT NOW
