Layers of Fear (2023) is not to be seen as a remake or remaster, but instead, a reimagining of the horror franchise, and this new installment covers all of the past games, from the Painter’s story in Layers of Fear to the Directors for the second main title addition, and it includes the DLC, Inheritance, where you play as the Painter’s daughter many years after the events of the first story.

The new installment now offers an extra story with a brand new character arc known as the Writer. These segments are played out in between the main storylines, taking place in an old lighthouse, and seeking inspiration for your next book, but you get more than you hoped for. New puzzles and environments have been added and changed in the original installments, offering a fresh feeling for those that are already familiar with the series.

Please be aware that the stories in the game are quite dark, so if you suffer from depression or past childhood trauma, there may be some segments that can be overwhelming. Another aspect that I think should be considered by players with an epileptic condition, like myself, is the light changing and flickering. Overall, I’m fine with games, but personally, I found Act 4 difficult to play due to the light changes, so be aware of that. Stay hydrated and take a break if necessary.

The storytelling for each chapter is amazing, digging deeper into the physiological perspective of the characters, revealing demons they have from their past or present that they have to overcome. There are many bits of lore that can be found as you play, coming in the form of letters and newspaper clippings, or even when you interact with certain items, so keep an eye out for the smallest of items. The lore for each character arc is interesting and had me hooked from start to finish, eager to see the result of the choices I made, and there are multiple endings to discover, meaning there are plenty of options when it comes to replaying the game.

Layers of Fear (2023) is perfectly designed for headphone use, as it features plenty of audio-based jump scares, particularly as you walk down a dark hallway – hearing twisted breathing behind you runs chills down the spine. Interacting with lore delivers voiceovers that read the note out loud, so you don’t have to read the text yourself. Built with Unreal Engine 5, the visuals are a work of art.

Featuring Ray Tracing, HDR, and 4K resolution, the detail on the nightmarish worlds you explore is incredible. Each story arc comes with a new location to explore, from the dark mansion home of the Painter to a cruise ship that starts off nice and sunny, but it quickly becomes a dark horror. You will be seeking a source of light quickly, hoping to reveal what is hidden in the darkness that surrounds you. Players will see twisted shadows come to life in front of their eyes as the world and the environments change, adding more tension to the experience.

The controls can feel a bit hectic at first, especially when opening doors as you will need to hold down the action button and move the door. Thankfully, the game does not start with you running for your life, so you can take the time to get used to performing actions safely.

You’ll learn the button for the torch/lantern once you acquire the items, and in other chapters, you may learn new actions that are locked to that specific chapter, such as ducking in chapter 4. In terms of difficulty, it is fairly decent, and certain puzzles may be the biggest challenge you come across – many of the encounters are just chase segments that are easy enough to get past and fend off by using light sources. If you find yourself in a room and the only door is locked, be sure to start looking around at pictures and shining your light on surfaces to uncover clues for a puzzle that you may be in.

This was my first experience with the Layers of Fear franchise and it did not disappoint. I love all things horror, and when it started, I was able to freely explore. I could already tell there would be “nope” moments, and honestly, they are the best vibes to get in horror games. I would highly recommend Layers of Fear (2023) for all horror fans, and even if you have dabbled in the past versions, it has some changes to hopefully make it feel like a fresh experience again. My only complaint is I wished it had more scares in a physical format. The tension and setting of the game were spooky enough, but I would have enjoyed a few more chase segments and times fending off physical threats.

Written by: Shane Walsh