Layers of Fear Reviews
A work of psychological horror quite complete and that will not leave anyone indifferent, with updated graphics and new content. The definitive Layers of Fear experience.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Layers of Fear is an excellent repackaging of the original games, with a considerable graphical leap, benefitting the atmosphere and the level of immersion. We rediscover, enriched with new content, distressing stories and environments that seem sprung from the mind of a madman, with a gameplay that remains anchored to the narrative adventure mechanics. Even if we don't find major structural improvements, it remains recommended to lovers of the genre.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Layers of Fear isn’t trying to be anything that it isn’t. Know that you’re walking into, a horror story told in a way to let your imagination get the better of you and build an increasingly scary setting.
Layers of Fear is a very shocking first-person horror, reaching very well the essential factor for games of the genre that is to carry moments of tension, and fear and still make you move forward because of curiosity. The game knows very well when to use soundtrack, when to use sound effects and when to use silence, demonstrating that it is always in control of the game and the player perceptions of the environment. Although it has some rhythm problems in the final segments, Layers of Fear is highly recommended and will be marked as a great experience in the recent survival horror scene.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Layers of Fear does a great job of establishing its own world. Its creative utilization of both classic and original art was used to create an odd, yet intriguing theme. There is something inherently creepy, dark and strangely beautiful about this game. It definitely redefines the term "monster" for its players.
It's hard not to compare this game to PT/Silent Hills, it even has the same zoom when pressing R3. In its six chapters, each lasting around one hour, Layers of Fear you will give you goosebumps, no doubt about it. If we analyze it layer by layer (ha!) it does fall short on some aspects, such as voice acting, but the overall experience is really good. We are full on the "walking simulator" era, it's going to be interesting what each developer tries to do in order to innovate.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Layers of Fear offers horror fans the opportunity to delve into the mindset of an artist descending into insanity.
Layers of Fear has a great atmosphere, but you may have to overlook a lot of design choices to immerse yourself in what ends up an experience just over three hours long.
Layers of Fear is in some ways a masterpiece. Not perfect, but without a doubt excellent. The great atmosphere and the perfect transformation of the environment are elements that'll be appreciated by many horror fans.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Can the protagonist forgive her father, or does she bother about everything that has happened in the house?
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The painter's tale is told from his daughter's perspective, offering a fresh take on the story with some much-needed gameplay additions.
Layers of Fear is a competent demonstration of jump scares compressed tightly into an ever-changing and dark mansion.
If you prefer something action-oriented like Resident Evil or Dead Island, this indie gem probably won't be worth the buy. For fans of Soma or The Park, however, or anyone who spent way too long going down the endless corridors of PT, it's no question that Layers Of Fear will be a must-play.
Ultimately, Layers of Fear exists as a chilling cinematic experience that is capable of more than a few scares along the way. Uncovering the game's narrative is largely enjoyable and will forever keep you guessing, as clues feel well paced and each horrifying set piece is related. The game may rely on a few too many jump scares and voice acting may feel off at times, but there's still no denying that Layers of Fears is a truly memorable and massively creepy experience.
There's more to Layers of Fear than initially meets the eye, and I'm pleasantly surprised at its quality. Playing the preview version was a nice way to get my Halloween horror fill. I highly recommend it.
Beautiful setpieces and a great atmosphere don't make up for the same old gameplay. While it doesn't need to reinvent the wheel, Layers of Fear should at least aim to do the same old thing as well as it can. It would seem that "as well as it can" is very much a "means justify the ends" approach, and the ends are stale mechanics done just well enough that they work.
Despite the abundance of clichés, you can see that a lot of effort went into setting the right tone and atmosphere. There are some downright mind-blowing scenes and unique uses of audio and color. Great work on that front. Although do try a bit harder next time, because you guys definitely have something going here.
Moments like these make Layers of Fear worth playing. Yet as beautifully disorienting as the game can be, it ultimately has little interesting to say about artists and less to say about art. Stomaching the jump scares and heavily recycled horror imagery will earn you a handful of mesmerizing vistas, but Layers of Fear fails to challenge or transform its central trope.
Does it create emotion or stir up old memories? Fear. Pure fear. The most primal of emotions is the overwhelming one while playing Layers of Fear.
You'll get the most that Layers of Fear can offer you when you're brave enough to delve into all of its nooks and crannies