Layers of Fear 2
The cameras are all focused on you; the center of the scene. Not just in character, you are the character. The part to play is singularly yours. Written just for you. You are met with silence. No barking orders from the director. No call to action that you need to become this version of yourself. The demand to act fills your mind, but the script pages hold no words. Your past has helped to mold you into what you are, forced upon you the skills required to hone your craft. That same past has scraped deep furrowing scars into you, not on the outside where the world can see, but in a place buried so deep within that it has become shapeless. You push those memories down but let the experiences drive you into who, or what, you must play. Darkness surrounds as you stand silently in the spotlight, the only sounds to be heard over your heartbeat are the distant breaking of waves against the hull and the sound of cameras pointed in your direction preserving this moment for eternity.
Steam User 3
Layers of Fear 2 (LoF2), an adiovisual masterpiece.
Play the lead role in a film and discover your past, or someone else's? Who are you exactly? Is it really a play? Are you in a loop? Who's the story really about? So many questions. Will they get answered? Who knows.
Allright, that was vague. In the original LoF1, you knew exactly who you were and - for most part - what happened. This one, however, is left open to interpretation. Especially if you figure out how to get all endings. And i think it was cool. It doesn't always have to be completely answered.
Now, comparing it to the LoF1, this game has much less jump scares and focusses way more on story telling. Scares are more subtle while at the same time, they've introduced a few chase scenes.
The visuals are simply astonishing. Ranging from photorealistic and colorful to classic grayscale and all sorts of weird visual effects. Narration is top notch as well. 10 out of 10 for presentation.
So is it better or worse than LoF1? It's hard to tell. I think one of the strong points of LoF1 were the jump scares. LoF2 didn't do too much in this area. There were a few jump scares that really got me, but not too many.
Another thing LoF1 is known for, is the constantly changing layout of the house and it was right in your face all the time. Lof2 is way more subtle about this, giving you actual WTF moments because you don't expect it.
Really liked this one and putting it very close to the original.
And thank Bloober for the newgame+ mode.. that saved a lot of time getting all endings and achievements.
Steam User 3
One of the most profound and layered (pun not intended) I have ever had with a video game. For those who like to derive deeper meaning from entertainment mediums, this is a treasure trove of experience and design which has, in my opinion, not been matched. It is not as easy to process as the original Layers of Fear, let alone Observer or any other game I've played like this.My only complaint is that this game features a "monster" with sequences where you must run away, and if you get caught it initiates a killscreen which reloads a previous checkpoint. This is completely counter to the design of this game and severely breaks immersion whenever caught, and severely hampers exploration when not. Layers of Fear 1 solved this issue in spades by making killscreens a progression mechanic and a part of the narrative, but fortunately Layers of Fear 2 allows you to play without killscreens, which I think is the definitive way to play. It leaves certain sections of the game more barren and jankily designed, but the cost for unbroken immersion is worth it completely without question.This is not a game for everyone, this isn't a game for most people, even. Only a few will derive meaning from this narrative. But for those who do, it is worth it in every regard.My advice is for you not to go in thinking this is a horror game to be overcome with bravery, but rather a medium of storytelling like none other. Become the character you are tasked with playing, put your mind into the role and see what comes of it.
Steam User 3
A very calm game and if you have had a long day this game will help you relax.
Steam User 2
This has to be the greatest horror game I have ever played. Layers of Fear 2 took the concepts and ideas from its predecessor and improved upon them in every possible way. Cinematic scenes, a cryptic and also very symbolic story line, much room for interpretation and speculation, deep themes, scary jumpscares, interesting riddles, very immersive gameplay, great voice acting, amazing lighting, you have all of those aspects at their best and that's not even everything Layers of Fear 2 excells at.
I can fully recommend this game to anyone, who's looking for a horrifying, but artistic and meaningful game experience, that will stick with you even after you finished playing.
10/10 - a masterpiece
Steam User 2
After 7 years, since I played for the first time Layers Of Fear, I've been finally able to play the second chapter of this franchise... and I must say, it didn't loose its style at all.
Compared to Layers Of Fear 1, this one delivers a way deeper psychological analysis of the character (maybe not everyone will be able to understand it since I found it difficult, too), at the limits of the comprehension. The scene and the effects are particularly enjoyable and feels perfectly the atmosphere.
The new mechanics, such as crouch and chasing sequences, are well welcome but feel a bit odd, I'd never thought this franchise could go that way, feeling almost Outlast-like. The crouch system is pretty useless in the entire game, there are some sequences you need it but nothing really you could say "This had to be added".
The chasing sequences deliver good horror vibes, it is indeed the scariest part of the entire game. Minigames are back and also new ones; I didn't really like the labirint sequence (no spoiler), it felt weird, not at all part of the game neither the feeling.
LoF2 has an important graphic improvement since the first game and probably one of the best and more detailed graphic for horror games out there. There still are some inaccuracies but only if you're a fan of obsessive perfectionism.
One last thing is the story. As long as I love complex plots and psychological analysis, I've been like for the last quarter "Go on, I don't understand anything anyway". The story assumes a completely new meaning with the ending (I also looked online and there are many theories on it, I got my own) but I feel like we had to understand a little bit more during the game, not just at the ending. It feels more like of Apuleio's Metamorphosis.
At the end, it is a good product, can't wait the play the next one!
Steam User 1
visually pleasing game, banger aesthetic, great concept, i love how the the movie posters you are getting are deteriorating and becoming an amalgamation of the unknown which is fitting to the state of mind of the character you are playing at. i find myself staring at some environment and just look at it, while being amazed or in awe on how they look, the change of colour based on the mood of the story is making the entire exploration very immersive.
however, while the story is tragic and interesting the way it was presented kinda confuse me a bit, and made me say "what is happening" and took me some time to think to finally understand it. kinda mediocre but has some interesting side on it specially to the actual character you are playing at. i also like the take of a ship tragedy as a form of the plot but the build up to it was a bit slow it took me several acts to get the point of the plot, maybe its my skill issue too. i wont go to the other problem bloober has in their storytelling as i think people are already aware of it and i'm just making myself redundant than the rest (i'm talking about how they wrote people with mental issues)
recommended? yea if you love visual pleasing games that has a touch of liminality to it and elegant, or just love the aesthetic of cruise ship then i wont stop you, but keep in your mind that the plot wasn't really that great, it lies in middle of not good but also not bad. but the game is worth of a screenshot if you love liminal spaces images
Steam User 1
"Forever the dream. Forever the wound. Forever...you."