Layers of Fear Reviews
Suspense is an important tool, in horror. Suspense is what makes scares work. Five, ten, fifteen minutes of excruciating emptiness makes the eventual jump scare effective because we're lulled into complacency. The pacing in Layers of Fear is numbing, with "scares" coming at you so often they quickly lose their potency.
While Layers of Fear hews close to horror game tradition all too often, it does offer enough innovation to make it a worthwhile experience - especially when played after dark.
Layers of Fear delivers on its promise of a unique vision of gothic horror, but the game leans heavily on cliche genre gimmicks to jump scare players.
Layers of Fear is a fun ride. If you can live with the poor frame rate you'll find a horror game that relishes the chance to mess with your head.
In a game that has a lot of fresh ideas on how to build suspense and let your mind do most of the work, it's disappointing to see frequent usage of those tautologies (it's scary because it's scary).
Layers of Fear wasn't as frightening as I thought it would be based on early impressions, but I was still entertained by its mind-bending haunted house even when the jump-scares fell flat.
Colouring your world with intense shades of terror.
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.
+ Awesome atmosphere and great detail
Layers of Fear offers horror fans the opportunity to delve into the mindset of an artist descending into insanity.
Can the protagonist forgive her father, or does she bother about everything that has happened in the house?
Review in Spanish | Read full review
All in all Layers of Fear was a fun experience and honestly was a bit of fresh air compared to the multitude of horror games that have been coming out lately (not that I'm complaining).
Layers of Fear is an experience that no fan of the horror genre should pass on. With its unnerving atmosphere, engaging plot/characters and psychedelic visions, Layers of Fear invites players to a nightmare they won't be forgetting anytime soon (though the linear gameplay won't be etched in their memories).
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 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 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
The painter's tale is told from his daughter's perspective, offering a fresh take on the story with some much-needed gameplay additions.
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
Layers of Fear isn't a perfect marathon with its range of terrifying developments but the significance of its events will last longer than most horror sprints.
A brief but compelling horror story presented in a creatively designed experience. Thought provoking, inferred not explicitly stated, with an effectively unpleasant undertone. Strange key mapping choices on consoles but otherwise fit for purpose. This is a game about exploration and your choices of where to go.