Layers of Fear: Legacy Reviews

Layers of Fear: Legacy is ranked in the 79th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Feb 25, 2018

One of the best horror games ever made, this will scare you in incredibly clever ways and make you question everything you see.

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9 / 10
Mar 13, 2018

This Nintendo Switch version of Layers of Fears offers new possibilities with the touch screen and the Joy-Cons and the DLC is of course included. It is also a little bit downgraded in terms of visuals, but the game is still the same : an outstanding narrative/horror adventure that you really shouldn't miss if you like the genre.

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8.6 / 10.0
Jul 11, 2018

Despite some minor performance issues and the occasional on-the-nose writing, Layers of Fear: Legacy is a fantastic horror experience for Switch owners. You get two great stories, both accessible right from the menu screen — I highly recommend you play the main story before Inheritance, though — that offer gripping tales and shocking scares. Better yet, both are playable in portable mode, ensuring that the courageous and unafraid can get their fill of terror before bed. It may not be P.T. in name, but for those seeking that same level of atmosphere and hallway-twisting tension, Legacy fits the bill.

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8.5 / 10.0
Apr 27, 2018

It would be easy to dismiss Layers of Fear as a funhouse, but the reality is that this game goes far deeper than a ride through a spooky house. As an examination of family, artistic obsession, alcoholism and regret, Layers of Fear hits on a deeper level while still delivering quality scares.

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8.5 / 10.0
Apr 25, 2018

No matter how you play it, Layers of Fear: Legacy provides an astounding psychological horror experience right up to the point when you click on your painting that one final time. The relatively low $20 asking price more than makes up for my issues with the conclusion, especially since it includes the better ending of the Inheritance DLC. The jump scares were effective even on my second playthrough two years later, and I had fun playing it with my daughter. Her warnings of, “No. Just…no,” may have been valid as we stood looking down the stairwell into the darkened cellar, but as we, the developers at Bloober Team, and our troubled painter know, making the right decision doesn't make for good horror.

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8.4 / 10.0
Apr 26, 2018

Layers of Fear: Legacy isn't your typical horror game with weaponry or with the means of survival from enemies. Instead, it takes a more artistic direction, technically, and manages to feel compelling from start to finish. The gameplay itself isn't too deep, but the narrative and atmosphere are top notch. Simply put, this is a great experience for anyone looking for eerie undertones without the baggage of item management and the stress of time.

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GameSpace
Kiwi
Top Critic
8.2 / 10.0
Apr 26, 2018

Layers of Fear: Legacy is a brilliant horror story for (almost) all ages and levels of terror stamina. The artwork takes your breath away and the content in it keeps you guessing. Even though the controls for this game on Nintendo Switch  are a little clunky I am confident making Layers of Fear: Legacy a priority on your gaming menu would be a very favourable decision.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2018

An awesome chance for the Switch users to enjoy one of the most intense horror games in the las few years. Deep, dark and charming, this edition contains the original game and also its DLC: Inheritance. Get ready to turn off the lights.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 5, 2018

Enter the mind of an insane painter and his daughter in main game and gloomy DLC. Switch version is fearful and amusing.

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Renan Fontes
Top Critic
8 / 10
Feb 21, 2018

Despite some technical issues, Layers of Fear: Legacy manages to weave together an incredibly intimate, and tense, family drama that can scare just as effortlessly it can intrigue.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 12, 2018

Layers of Fear may at first glance fit into the often derided walking simulator subgenre, but its impressive design makes it a much deeper and more memorable experience than one would initially expect. It represents an effective Switch port and even goes out of its way to include a motion control option. In the Switch's growing library of horror titles, Layers of Fear has positioned itself as a powerful front runner.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 24, 2018

Layers of Fear: Legacy is a great psychological terror game with a fantastic and disturbing atmosphere, that tell us a familiar drama.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8 / 10
Mar 1, 2018

Layers of Fear: Legacy is more about the story than anything else, so make sure you’re prepared for that when you go in. It’s a game that if you allow it to, will just completely grip you and won’t let go, and because it is up to you to uncover a lot of the story by searching around, you will want to explore the mansion for just that bit longer. It is also very creative and clever with its use of set-pieces and, on the face of it, random room setups, which helps the game from ever becoming overly dull or boring. I can now say, with ease, that the Nintendo Switch has its first great, proper horror game. It may also be one of the best horror games of the last few years on any platform.

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Scarlet Bell
Top Critic
7.8 / 10.0
Feb 26, 2018

Layers of Fear: Legacy puts forward a strong entry into the Switch's maturing horror genre. While short and limited in replay value, the quality of the experience it provides goes a long way in justifying its purchase.

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7.5 / 10.0
Apr 20, 2018

Layers of Fear: Legacy is a great video game, but this is not its best version. There are some issues with its framerate that are a burden for the player. However, this is one of the best horror choices that this console has.

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7.5 / 10.0
Mar 9, 2018

In some regards, Layers of Fears is special despite its sometimes clear faults. However it's somewhat clear lack of polish in its performance can, and most certainly does take away from the otherwise spooky immersion.

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7.5 / 10.0
Feb 23, 2018

Layers of Fear: Legacy is a solid horror effort on the Switch. It combines psychological creepiness with jump scares and tells a disturbing story. There’s not much in the way of action, so if you’re not into the “walking simulator” types of games this one probably won’t be for you. For everyone else, dive headfirst into this mad world.

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75%
Feb 22, 2018

This is a horror game that uses what you can't see to build tension. It expertly builds an atmosphere through its wonderful use of sound and visuals with the paintings themselves being a real star of the show. While the gameplay leaves a little to be desired in that there could have been more for the player to do, by design, this is a walking simulator for you to experience a very good horror story which will keep you glued until the credits roll. If you are a horror fan and want something a little different then this is a worthwhile game experience to add to your collection but if your searching for more involving gameplay or scare easy then best to look elsewhere.

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7.5 / 10.0
Feb 24, 2018

All said if you’ve been looking for something on the scarier side for your Switch, Layers of Fear: Legacy serves up a grim story with some disturbing images and jump scares along the way. While it gets off to a very slow start once things begin to change and the truth of what has happened begins to reveal itself in general it’s a fun ride from that point on. In general terms the sense of dread and the feeling you get while walking through the house reminded me most of the classic Eternal Darkness, to the point that I was waiting for a bust to turn and watch me as I went by. While it’s certainly lacking in action the quality of the presentation helps to compensate nicely. There’s currently nothing else as chilling on the Switch.

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70 / 100
Feb 26, 2018

While the environmental storytelling is solid, the writing and voice acting lack polish.

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