“Layers of Fear” is back once again and still developed by Bloober Team, having originally gained notoriety back in 2016 for the original game, merely seven years later we get a remake. Boy does seven years actually make all the difference; it seems Bloober Team aimed to update their groundbreaking IP and showcase all the knowledge they have accumulated since the original release. They put out some pretty decent titles since then, you can check my reviews of some of their previous titles here at Gaming Cypher (Observer HERE, and The Medium HERE). Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game’s haunting settings exhibit remarkable attention to detail, recreating an atmosphere we had seen previously but feels completely new with how much polish and attention to detail there is this time. As a player who has experienced the original title, I can confidently say that this remake offers a more refined and cohesive experience, with new contextual elements binding the narrative together.
The game follows an unnamed protagonist, someone I refer to as “the painter,” who returns home to complete his magnum opus painting. Throughout the game, there are moments where players assume the role of another character, who I just call “the writer.” This truly is the definitive version of the series, it bundles all previously released DLC, including “The Inheritance,” “The Final Note,” “Layers of Fear 2,” and “The Lighthouse” chapter. Unlike the original release, where players would choose specific parts to play, the stories have been intricately interwoven from beginning to end. This chronological presentation really helped me view things differently as well as my understanding of the story, which was much easier.
Compared to the original version, the environments in the remake contain fewer interactive elements. Bloober Team consciously decided to streamline the interactions, focusing on essential narrative items rather than overwhelming players with an abundance of objects that don’t matter. This approach proved really beneficial as I was beginning to notice that it allowed me, as a player, to stay on track and remain engaged with the unfolding story. By trimming unnecessary elements, the developers eliminated the “fat” that served no purpose in the first place. Although the game features collectibles, their presence is entirely optional and are merely incentives for exploration, encouraging players to delve deeper into the atmospheric environments. If you’re someone who doesn’t care about such things, no need to worry, you can streamline the story to be done with it sooner if you choose to.
The puzzles in “Layers of Fear” are pretty straightforward and surface-level, it was probably a deliberate choice that ensures a consistent sense of progress, and it worked well for me. I was not bogged down in complex riddles, enabling me to seamlessly advance through the game, although if you came to play this game for a bit more of a challenge in the puzzle department, well this one probably won’t do it for you. There is much more of a focus on storytelling, and keeping you immersed in the haunting narrative rather than stumping you with intricate puzzles. The most compelling about this release though, by a mile, is the visual enhancements, this remake is nothing short of breathtaking. Comparing this title to the original is like witnessing a night and day transformation. Bloober Team’s growth and evolution as a studio are evident, and the implementation of Unreal Engine 5 really showcases their artistic prowess. The haunting settings and meticulously crafted details create a captivating visual experience, further immersing players in the game’s eerie atmosphere. It is truly remarkable to witness how Bloober Team has evolved over the years, and this remake serves as a testament to their growth.
The remake of “Layers of Fear” has a lot packaged in, with so many different endings, I think there are about 11 and with all the DLC added in, you’re looking at over 30 hours of creepy content here. This is a polished and evolved version of the original, which I thought was just an okay game. But now I can see how and why it’s indeed actually good, if not, pretty great. There are some artistic choices on how to scare the gamer in here that I personally don’t love, but they are few and far between and it’s just kind of cool to see what the developers were trying to convey many years ago now and getting the opportunity to translate it in a new and fresh way to really prove to us that they had something special here all along. I tip my hat to them, and I’m personally really excited for what they have in store next.
8/10
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Related: Reviews by Nick Navarro
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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