Layers of Fear (2023) - Game Review

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Veteran Game

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Published on June 18, 2023 5:00:07 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYB7Vf04-wo

Game:

Layers of Fear 2 (2019)

Category:

Review

Duration: 3:51

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Layers of Fear (2023) - Game Review

Hey there fellow gamers, welcome back to the Veteran Game channel where we dive into the depths of virtuality to bring you the most insightful reviews! Today, we're diving into a haunting adventure, "Layers of Fear 2023", a game that at first glance may leave you questioning the need for its existence but will swiftly convince you otherwise. Buckle up, let's see what Bloober Team has been cooking up.

"Layes of Fear 2023" is an amalgamation, a love letter of sorts, blending the original "Layers of Fear" from 2016 and its successor, "Layers of Fear 2" from 2019. All brought to life with the power of Unreal Engine 5, crafting a unified, terror-inducing package. The game takes inspiration from the likes of 2014’s PT and the Amnesia series, leading you through a myriad of eerie locations packed with clues, puzzles and monstrous entities that will test your nerve.

The main characters include The Painter, an artist obsessed with creating the perfect portrait, and The Actor, a fallen star trying to find redemption in his career. As their stories unfold, we begin to see the toll their obsession with perfection has taken, giving us a hint that perhaps their haunting experiences are their own sins coming back to haunt them.

But there's a twist in this 2023 edition! An entirely new story, The Writer, weaving all the narratives together in a larger, compelling plot that feels like an episode straight out of the Twilight Zone. To keep things fresh and intriguing, the developers have also tweaked the scares from the original games and leveraged Unreal Engine 5 for some photorealistic horror.

If you're new to the series, prepare yourself for four distinct tales with multiple endings, coupled with new accessibility options and quality of life improvements. At the price tag of $30 / £25, this game is a bargain considering its high-quality production and the riveting 30 hours or so it offers.

Performance-wise, "Layers of Fear" ran buttery smooth on both high and lower-end systems I tested, displaying impressive optimization. I did experience a few minor bugs, but none of them detracted from the overall experience.

However, the game isn't without its flaws. Some scares do lose their effectiveness over time, especially when you realize there aren't many consequences for dying. The generous checkpoint system also undermines the sense of fear to some extent. Furthermore, compared to the updates to the original "Layers of Fear", the changes to "Layers of Fear 2" feel less impressive given its relative newness.

Yet, the new story injected into this version does a fantastic job at tying together the original narratives, offering a satisfying continuity. There's a clear metaphor here about the strive for perfection and the critique of art, mirroring the developers' desire to better their craft since their 2016 outing.

"Layes of Fear 2023" is not just a simple remake, nor a safety net for a studio out of ideas. It's a statement of intent, Bloober Team and Anshar Studios showcasing their evolution. This game is a testament to their growth, and it's hard to deny, they've done an outstanding job.

And with this experience under their belt, it's no wonder they feel confident taking on the anticipated remake of Silent Hill 2. My previous ambivalence towards the Silent Hill 2 remake has transformed into cautious optimism. Can't wait to see how that turns out!

So, that's it for today's review of "Layers of Fear 2023". If you're in for a unique psychological horror experience, I definitely recommend checking this one out. Stay tuned for more game reviews here at the Veteran Game channel, and as always, keep your gaming spirits high!