Can Layers of care dethrone Dead Space and Resident Evil 4 as 2023 ’s good repugnance remake ?
2023 has been the “ class of the repugnance remake ” good manners of bothDead SpaceandResident Evil 4 , which rebuild the beloved revulsion classics for the current propagation of gaming . With the two genre titans hogging all of the attention , you may not have noticed that another notable horror serial is also making a return this year , asLayers of Fearhas officially arrive for PC , PS5 , and Xbox Series X|S on June 15 , 2023 . old stager horror developer Bloober Team ’s raw game is a remaster / remaking / reimagining of the popular first - person horror serial publication , which started seven years ago in 2016 . Let ’s discase back the Layers of Fear to dissect the latest entry and decide whether the series is worth revisiting in the current genesis of gaming .
Nightmare Come True
The newest iteration ofLayers of Fearcombines every previous introduction in the serial into one $ 29.99 parcel , giving gamers a chance to search or reexperience the originalLayers of Fear ( 2016 ) , its elaboration packInheritance , as well asLayers of Fear 2 ( 2019 ) , along with new psychological horror stories includingThe Lighthouse ChapterandThe Final Note , which tie beam - in to the original game , create a cohesive narrative . The series has been upgrade for next - gen play with the help of Unreal Engine 5 , provide ray tracing , HDR , and 4 kilobyte resolution to the first - person gameplay .
For those unfamiliar withLayers of Fear , the series combines psychological horror , walking sim gameplay shop mechanic , low-cal - puzzle resolution , and , most interestingly , an emphasis on prowess to brew its unequalled gaming concoction . The novel revulsion title centers around artists of vary mediums , who detect themselves trapped in surreal , nightmarish predicaments where the only way out is to venture deeper into the madness .
layer of Fear feature five playable character reference , each with their own alone chapter in the Layers of Fear mythos . The Painter ’s Storyputs instrumentalist in the role of an creative person drifting further into insanity as he essay to nail his magnum composition . The Daughter ’s Storyspotlights the painter ’s daughter , who explore her puerility home to uncover the disturbing truth of her past times . The Actor ’s Storypresents the harrowing ocean trip of a ship - bound thespian taking on a challenging role from a mysterious director . The Musician ’s Storytells the tale of an ex-husband - violinist / pianist bear from spartan tan and injuries , render to breakthrough to find a agency to rekindle her aesthetic glory . All of these chapters are intersperse between the biz ’s principal tale , which is say from the point of view of a ’ L horror author , who finds herself isolate in a secluded beacon light , make for the starring persona in a nightmare even more dreaded than her twisted imaginativeness could conjure .
This Game Has No Windows and No Doors
When it comes to creating a spooky atmosphere and atmosphere , this serial publication is really in a league of its own . At its core , Layers of Fear is horror done properly , as the various environments allow for the kindling to touch off prickle - chilling moments , tomentum - produce frights , and full - fledged start scares . There is an impressive relatability in the panic found in Layers of Fear , as the shivery aspect of the plot is not its giant , but rather the visual and auditive design , which utilise familiar sights and sound to terrify players . With doors screech in the night , the pitter line of gab of footsteps closing in when you are supposed to be alone , a glimpse of something moving out of the corner of your middle , the feeling of being watched when no one else is around , Layers of Fear will undoubtedly find a way to creep you out .
However , the new release does not merely root for animation - like horror , but ventures into the surreal kingdom , renovate the feeling of being immobilize in a nightmare . The serial ’ latest offering continues in the franchise ’s tradition of station player on a mind - turn away , claustrophobic journey with rooms that shift before your very center , walls that shut in around / behind you , and a mount that simply refuse all logical system and reason . There is no running away or hiding from the horrors that lie ahead in Layers of Fear , as the doors will lock behind you , or vanish altogether , forcing you press onwards to the next room . This game will leave you feeling disorient , isolated , and dreading the next scare that could be tarry just around the recess .
Related : Dead Island 2 Review | California Rest in Peace
Image Courtesy of Prima Games
Shallow Horror
Despite its undeniable , terrifying highs , Bloober Team ’s remake / remaster / reimagining let in a number of glaring fault that simply ca n’t be overlooked . While there is a tangible apprehension to be find in Layers of Fear , the game outstay its welcome by reprocess panic attack and over - trust on a nervous atmosphere to the point that the fear start to fizzle .
“ I was lead on the edge of my seat , when I was quick to jump-start out of it . ”
The visual sense and sound that begin as terrifying kickoff to blow over into the screen background as more time is spent in Layers of Fear ’s world , and the plot never really live up to its revulsion potency , failing to attain the next gear of terror . In brusk , I was left on the edge of my ass , when I was ready to jump out of it .
Image Courtesy of Prima Games
Furthermore , with a name like “ Layers of Fear , ” the gameplay experience is amazingly one dimensional . The loop consist of repeatedly navigating the haunting elbow room , taking in the eery slew and sounds , reading traditional knowledge items , solving simple puzzles to progress to the story , and at times go away from / fighting an incoming ogre . Rinse and repeat . The gameplay is not uncollectible per se , as the first - person vantage point / camera slant is masterfully execute , but Layers of Fear never build upon its early game mechanics , creating a highly insistent experience .
On the discipline of repetition , the “ combat ” found in Layers of Fear is arguably the most prejudicial gameplay component , as it has the dual impingement of undermining the horror , while at the same time feeling tedious . Avoiding spoilers for those who have n’t already played the previous - gen versions , Layers of Fear features sections with fiend that only be stopped through the use of findable lantern / flashlights , which serve to temporarily stave in off the puppet , allowing players to escape to safety . The combat is too simplistic , reprize too ofttimes , and experience out of place in the tumid Layers of Fear experience . It almost seems like the developers would have been better off leave combat out of the game alone .
Mama, This Surely Isn’t a Dream
bed of Fear is a biz that sleep together on the button what it is , and for the most part excels at it . This is a very solid horror walk sim without much major criticism to be determine , but it never strive to become anything more than that . There is frightening fun to be had in Layers of Fear , yet I ca n’t facilitate but sense that the game was content on being just secure , when it could have gone down in history as an all - clock time great in the chronological record of horror with some slight gameplay tweaks .
Verdict
For hardcore revulsion gamers who love Layers of Fear in the previous contemporaries , or those who have been dying to try out Bloober Team ’s successful serial publication , Layers of Fear ( 2023 ) is the definitive franchise experience , well worth your meter and money . However , despite my personal use of the fresh revulsion rubric and its late games , objectively , Layers of Fear ’s trivial gameplay will likely frighten off off musician who want more than a story - drive walking simulator .
LAYERS OF FEAR
pro : ● terrific atmosphere / ambiance ● Textbook horror ● Excellent manipulation of first - someone viewpoint
Image Courtesy of Prima Games
bunco : ● Highly insistent ● Overly simplistic gameplay mechanics ● Combat needs major improvement
A transcript of this game was provided by the publishing firm for reexamination . Reviewed on PlayStation 5 .
Image Courtesy of Prima Games
Image Courtesy of Prima Games
