Layers of Fear

TheSixthAxisSteve C

8/10

Layers of Fear is a great example of Bloober Team’s particular brand of psychological horror. Playing through the entire series as one game makes the connections and links between the stories and characters far more evident and the end result is a real treat for horror fans. It is a very different sort of horror to the likes of Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space but is still up there as one of the best horror games of the year for me.

The OuterHavenAndrew Agress

Layers of Fear serves as a kind of director’s cut for the horror series. With lavish visuals, new content, and a new framing device, it proves the definite way to experience the series. Those who’ve already played the games won’t find much they haven’t seen before, but The Final Note chapter adds a fun, spooky new layer.

WCCFtechFrancesco De Meo

8/10

The original Layers of Fear, for better or worse, is a game that left a lasting influence on the narrative-driven horror genre. Developed by Polish developer Bloober Team, the game was unlike anything seen before, combining unique aesthetics with an art theme inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and a deep dive into madness that left a strong impression on anyone who experienced it, even though themes such as mental illness were maybe not properly handled.

GameWatcherNeil Bolt

8/10

An impressive remake/reimagining of the series from a technical standpoint, and there are some welcome changes to the way each game plays. It’s unfortunate that efforts to tie the individual stories together don’t always land, but it generally does the trick.

MonsterVineSamantha Lienhard

Outside of the new storyline, Layers of Fear has some other useful additions. For players who don’t want to worry about the monster killing them (or get stuck on a chase one too many times), there is a safe mode option where enemies can’t kill you. For players interested in seeing different aspects of the story, there is a Chapter Mode that lets you start from any completed chapter to play through again and tracks your progress separately from the regular Story Mode. Meanwhile, the game looks beautiful, and I ran into only a few technical issues aside from a bug where I slowly fell out of the ...

Gamers HeroesJohnny Hurricane

70/100

Overall Layers Of Fear is a creepy game that misses the scary mark. The experience is worth going through if you have the extra cash but don't expect to be scared out of your mind by it.

Press StartKevin He

6/10

The architecture of the game is also delightful, with some mind bending segments thrown in which may be the best parts of the game. One particular segment involved walking around and around a seemingly never-ending set of rooms, but with one particular thing changing in each room every time, until it truly got out of hand. Watching paintings turn from classical to twisted was also a highlight.

Game SkinnyDavid Restrepo

6/10

Layers of Fear needs more layers.

Pure XboxBen Kerry

6/10

All in all, Layers of Fear 2023 is an odd remake and is ultimately one we don't really recommend. This new package is beautiful no doubt, but the first game just doesn't really hold up these days, and while the sequel marks a decent improvement in our eyes, the 2019 version is a much better looking game than 2016's Layers of Fear anyway - making the remake feel a bit pointless. If you've never played the series and are interested in a couple of one-time trippy horror experiences this package could be worth a shot once it enters your ideal price range, but the Xbox One versions often go dirt ch...

WellPlayedZach Jackson

5.5/10

Layers of Fear looks and sounds like a van Gogh, but unfortunately plays like a cheap forgery.

Impulse GamerBlake Supple

Team Blooper’s Layers of Fear doesn’t exactly invoke what the name suggests. There are no layers, instead the fear that I was hit with throughout the

GameLusterSimon Smith

0/10

The path of the artist can be tough, it is said for an artist to paint they must first deconstruct themselves, think of it as soul searching. The artists must search their mind and uncover the dark truths that they try to hide, their own fears, and their own past. Only once they know themselves can they truly shine and create something of beauty, but those that can’t face themselves will forever live in torture, they become the tortured artist forced to walk a waking nightmare, forever scarred by themselves, their history, and often they fall to their own sanity.