Layers of Fear (2023)
The canvas awaits its final brushstrokes. The stage calls for its lead actor. The novel needs its final chapter. It’s time to face your fears. One. Last. Time.
The series, which has left a mark on narrative-driven first-person psychological horror games, returns to tell its final spine-chilling story in Layers of Fear.. The series’ crowning work is the definitive way to experience the critically acclaimed franchise as it features Layers of Fear and Layers of Fear 2, as well as all DLCs (including the new ‘The Final Note’ DLC that will give you a new perspective on the Layers of Fear storyline) and the never-before-told story of The Writer, which will tie everything together. Built on Unreal Engine 5, Layers of Fear supports Ray Tracing, HDR and 4K resolution to make the stunning visuals, and your nightmarish experience, as immersive and realistic as possible.
Layers of Fear: Create Your Magnum Opus
“The one precious thing you ever truly desired… FINISH IT.”
Explore a Victorian mansion covered in artwork as The Painter, whose sanity crumbles and cracks just like old oil paint on canvas. Trawl through the ever-changing house to find the supplies needed for your greatest masterpiece, all while trying to outrun your past.
Inheritance DLC: Face Your Past
“I was once told insanity runs in my family… It’s time to make it stop.”
Told from the perspective of The Painter’s Daughter, you come seeking answers. What secrets does this homestead hold? Will you ever truly understand the madness that bestowed your father? Can you ever forgive him? The house may hold everything you need to know… if you can face reliving your past.
The Final Note DLC: Delve Even Deeper
A brand new DLC which aims to shed more light on The Painter, his muse and the family’s backstory, The Final Note is told from the perspective of The Painter’s Wife. This additional narrative may change how you see the characters of the first game, as well as their actions.
Layers of Fear 2: Hit Your Marks
“Time waits for no one, actor. Do not waste ours.”
You are the lead actor in a production being filmed aboard an ocean liner, but all is not what it seems. Explore the ship and discover why you were perfect for The Director’s (voiced by Tony Todd) latest film. You awake and are told one simple command “Act.” But will you?
The Lighthouse Chapter: Link the Layers
Enter a lone and ghastly lighthouse as the newest protagonist, The Writer, and discover a never-before-told tale which will tie the entire series together. What awaits you there? You’ll just have to find out.
Game Features:
- Explore unsettling environments and solve strange puzzles to unveil the narrative at the heart of this first-person psychological horror experience.
- Three different stories of craft-obsessed protagonists (The Painter, The Actor and The Writer) which are interwoven to create a truly immersive experience and gripping storyline.
- Everything in the Layers of Fear series, including all DLCs, so you can find the answers you want.
- New brand-new core mechanics that will be introduced to Layers of Fear and its sequel, as well as additional features, so all the chapters and stories will blend seamlessly.
- Rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5, Layers of Fear supports Ray Tracing, HDR and 4K resolution to make the visuals as realistic as possible.
- The new Lumen system offers the most immersive and visceral horror experience.
- A hauntingly beautiful soundtrack by the highly acclaimed and award-winning composer, Arek Reikowski. He has composed a hypnotic score that adds an extra layer of tension to the game and will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Game Discussion
Steam User 64
Bloober
The original Layers of Fear and Layers of Fear 2 were released back in 2016 and 2019, respectively. Bloober is known for making such walking sims with twisted stories and with a gameplay where you constantly get the feeling that you are in a horror movie. There is a reason why the synopsis of the original refers to it as psychedelic. This is also the team that was behind Observer and its redux version.
Both games are played from the first-person perspective and the emphasis is on finishing up your Magnum Opus - a painting in case of the first episode (in a Victorian mansion) and a movie role with an actor aboard a ship. I think most people prefer the first one but my favourite is the 2nd. There is some puzzle-solving and paying attention is needed to collect every item needed for us the understand the story in more detail and - since the genre is horror - there will be some running sequences here and there.
Reimagining everything in Unreal 5
First, I thought this would be the only change. This is already a big leap compared to Unity (the second episode was developed in Unreal 4, though). I was specifically looking forward to sections such as the falling fruits from the painting or the moss-covered rooms on the ship. Everything looks fantastic!
But there is more! Gameplay-wise we have a lantern we can use to get rid of the monster attacking us. We can also destroy the black slime covering important items to free those. In the sequel our "weapon" will be a flashlight - again, good for stopping the monster but there are also numerous mannequins that can be "activated" with its light so that they open up a blocked path.
An interesting concept that means there are way more chase sequences in this remake (perhaps not everybody will like them) and you will also notice some rooms that previously were not there and this includes new puzzles. I would not call the reimagined versions longer, just slightly altered at certain sections. And remember: the DLC of the first game titled Inheritance is also included in this pack!
This is already great and should be fine, right? But there's even more than that! We have 3 additional stories. First off, both games get a new accompanying story: our painter gets the Musician (here we have more information on the wife) while the actor's story is followed up by that of the Director. And to make it even more interesting we are introduced to the Writer first - she is the one the story begins with in a lighthouse where she sits down to write a great story... of a painter and an actor. I do not agree with all the decisions the creators made (some parts of the story were open for interpretation in the original ones, here we get more hints as to who the culprit is), but this is definitely a way to remake or remaster your previous titles! (Where credit goes not just to Bloober but to Anshar Studios, as well!)
Highly recommended!
Steam User 42
It's a decent horror game with LOF 1 + 2 + DLC along with new additional content added, however I would wait for a sale to buy it.
The scariest part about this game is there are NO cats.
Steam User 21
Layers of Fear (2016) I feel was always just a bit underrated, most people see that Jerma or Nyanners clip of the baby running into a wall and how they laugh their heads off at it and then view the whole game as being some self-serious POS that doesn't deserve recognition, but Layers of Fear has always been something more, if you aren't invested in the story or atmosphere then yeah, you won't get anything out of it. All Layers of Fear games have been mostly a narrative and atmospheric work, its more of a walking simulator than a flat out game. That doesn't work for some, but its AMAZING for people willing to give it the patience required. Layers of Fear (2023) is a remake of all past games, plus extra chapters to tie everything together and its just so damn good as someone who loved the first one and was fine with the second one. The visual changes are genuinely amazing, UE5 is used to amazing extent creating these buildings that just look so real. Generally, if you don't want to spend all the money on this, try out the first Layers of Fear, then if you like it, buy this a year later and replay the story since they changed some stuff and you get the extra content and Layers of Fear 2 with this. Of course, if you don't like the original, you aren't going to like a remake.
Steam User 18
To preface this review, I'm still of the opinion that the original is better. While the graphics in the remake look absolutely stunning, it doesn't have that gritty tone that the 2016 version had. I agree that the story is now more complete with the addition of new story arcs; however, the first story has been severely altered and not always in a good way. The new "combat" sequences are a mild nuisance at best. I understand what the developers were trying to do, but I think it was poorly executed. The horror factor is almost completely gone now, as the AI is very predictable. Despite this, I still thoroughly enjoy the game, there is still a lot more left to do before I'm completely done with it, but the flaws are quite noticeable and require attention so that these can be avoided in the future.
Steam User 8
I got this game at a discount last year when it came out. Having 100%'d the first 2 games, I figured that I was getting a remake of the first 2 games with a third "DLC" chapter thrown in. After finally getting around to playing it this year for the spooky season, I was pleasantly surprised just how much content this game gives you. The first game is completely redone. Not only does it look a lot better, but it also adds a good amount of brand new areas to go through that weren't in the first game, which is a nice touch. The second game feels more similar to it's original predecessor, but is still great. The new writer story is good, albeit short. There's also the original Inheritance DLC as well as 2 new DLC length stories to play through. Between all of the new content, you're definitely getting enough new stuff for it to make up an entire third game. If you liked either of the first 2 games, definitely pick up this one (especially if you can get it on sale!). If you've never played the original games, I also recommend this, just don't be discouraged if it starts feeling long, as it's literally 3 games worth of content thrown into one.
Steam User 7
Layers of trauma. Very good game I love it. Each backstory is written well and you get to explore each perspective of each family member. This game is one of my favorite horror games, so if you are looking for a wonderful in depth horror game, this is it.
Steam User 5
Well: this was an odd decision for Bloober to have made (even in association with another dev company)! That said: an "enhanced" version of two really great games, somewhat haphazardly spliced together...is still two really great games...
Whether the stories for Layers of Fear and Layers of Fear 2 were ever "meant" to be run back-to-back - with some tenuous new links and further, shorter stories tossed into the cracks (including the formerly-released "Inheritance" DLC, for the first game) - is another question entirely. Similarly, some of you may have mixed feelings about the added "gameplay"/"danger" elements - most particularly to the formerly peril-free Layers of Fear 1 content - but I, for one, certainly felt it added some freshness and longevity/replay value to the whole package for a long-time fan, even if it does feel a bit "tacked on" at times.
Honestly, if you haven't played the original games, you may as well start here. If you have played the original games - and LOVED them - then there's plenty of newness and "improvements" (especially those to do with handheld light sources like lanterns and flashlights*) to make this a more-than-worthwhile purchase. (The new, occasionally gobsmacking imagery in "The Musician's Story" is almost worth the price of re-admission alone.) But if you're one of those people who played one or both of the first two games...and was a tad underwhelmed? Not enough has changed here to change your mind. 75% of what's present is much the same, with the odd alteration, the aforementioned added danger and, y'know..."better graphics". But it's not a revolutionary new experience, and will probably still bore those who were bored the first time.
One definite plus, for those of you who frequently complain that story-oriented horror games tend to be "too short"? This one easily lasts over ten hours! So if you were sitting on the fence, purely due to the monetary value you associated with each individual game's running time...I guess they "fixed" that part! (Me: I'll happily pay the asking price for a quality horror gaming experience of almost any length; or, failing that, I'll just wait for a sale. But I know I'm not everyone in that regard.)
Verdict: 9.5/10 (the exact same score I gave the exceedingly good first two games)!
(* Actually, unless I'm somehow mistaken: I believe they've made the Layers of Fear 2 content a tad less deadly...thanks to the addition of the lamp. So they've essentially made the Layers of Fear 1 content MORE challenging, and the Layers of Fear 2 content LESS challenging; roughly balancing the two games out. Up to you whether that sounds like a wise idea or not.)
(PS If you enjoyed this review, feel free to check out my two Curator pages:
Cheers!)