The new Layers of Fear game was originally called Layers of Fears. I feel as though that is worth mentioning as it is frankly hilarious. This is the third game in the series and it is honestly surprising that the second game wasn’t called 2Layers2Fears in hindsight. After the exceedingly stupid title was announced, it was justifiably ridiculed, leading Bloober team to quietly rename the game Layers of Fear.
As much as I also hate the trend of giving a sequel the exact same name as the original, it is inarguably better than the nonsense title that they originally wanted to go with. Although technically, this Layers of Fear game is not a sequel. Instead, it is described as a, “reimagining,” that combines the first two games in the series, updating the graphics and voice acting to feel more premium.
Layers of Fear is out now and is available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.
As it is essentially a remake of the first two Layers of Fear games, this reimagining will feel instantly familiar to anyone who has played a Layers of Fear game in the past. From things like the environments changing when you turn the camera away from them, to collecting scrap bits of torn canvas in order to make progress. Another element that makes a return which is not quite is welcome is how boring the game can be between set pieces.
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Just like the original games in the series, this new Layers of Fear game includes many sections which sees the player aimlessly wander around dark rooms, desperately clicking on every object in the environment to try and make progress. This mundane requirement manages to remove any of the tension and atmosphere that had been previously built up, which in turn renders the jump-scare that follows hollow and unimpressive.
Layers of Fear 2023 seems intent on breaking its own momentum.
It is a shame that the brakes are slammed on within the gameplay so often, because Layers of Fear is phenomenal on a technical level. The graphical fidelity on display here is great. Textures look realistic, the lighting is dramatic and effectively sets the tone, and the sound design is eerie and well-implemented. All of these elements come together in harmony to create a thick sense of foreboding. Unfortunately though, no real payoff is ever really achieved.
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Throughout the entirety of my time spent with this title, I never felt truly scared or threatened. At best, I was somewhat unsettled by some plot elements and the clever use of lighting and sound effects, but to say I was ever terrified would be untrue. This being a horror game, the fact that it never left me horrified is a problem. Every jump-scare that the game throws at the screen just seems so by the numbers.
Overall, Layers of Fear 2023 is a technically well-made game that could be more engaging. The clear attention to detail that has been paid to the game’s overall presentation in combination with the clever level design that the Layers of Fear games are known for makes for a very well-crafted experience. This level of care has me excited to see what Bloober Team will be able to pull off in its upcoming remake of Silent Hill 2. It is just a shame that Layers of Fear isn’t a scarier experience.
Layers of Fear 2023 – 7/10
Layers of Fear was reviewed on PS5 with a code supplied to FandomWire by Terminals.io.
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