Layers of Fear

One of the best horror games ever made, this will scare you in incredibly clever ways and make you question everything you see.

Some exceptionally clever misdirection means that this indie delight delivers more terrifying surprises than a cupboard full of haunted Kinder eggs. [Apr 2016, p.81]

That they've come out with something that plays to their strengths so well is an impressive achievement, and if you have any love for horror games whatsoever, you owe it to yourself to play Layers of Fear.

Whether or not the PT hype-ship has finally sailed in to the distance, you should pick this up and give it more than the viewing of a YouTube Let’s Play.

Layers of Fear is a fantastic horror game close to the Silent Hills PT experience.

Layers of Fear is an incredible ride through an ever-changing house that demonstrates an understanding of the horror genre. It succeeds in creating a genuinely unsettling house that never relies too hard on cheap scares. Instead it’s filled with moments that’ll stick with me for a long time.

I have to praise the Bloober team for their execution and real understanding of gamer psychology on a second play of a horror game. After that there’s no reason to play again outside of looking for collectables. It’s argued that video games are a medium of art, if that is the case then this is one of the masterpieces you need in your collection.

Layers of Fear is everything a mature, modern horror game should be. Subtle, smart, unnerving and genuinely intriguing.

Layers of Fears is a great horror game. It doesn't really invent anything, but it uses known techniques in clever ways. Together with its great atmosphere and some interesting gameplay features you don't really get to see during the first playthrough, it's a very recommendable option.

Starting this review by comparing Layers of Fear to P.T. is unfair, because even if P.T. had never existed, Bloober Team's work would still be stellar. However, those intrigued by that now-deceased project's approach would do well to step into the shoes of this miserable artist for a few hours... They should empty their bladders before turning their consoles on, though.

Interesting and immersive, Layers of Fear isn't a masterpiece per se, but it's an excellent experience you shouldn't miss if you have any inkling of interest in the exploration and horror genres.

A sophisticated horror story, with an excellent art direction and the ability to build a constant sense of fear and oppression. The gameplay is pretty basic and not particularly challenging, but it has its good moments.

You’ll get the most that Layers of Fear can offer you when you’re brave enough to delve into all of its nooks and crannies.

The game renders its gory images in detailed and creative ways, never hinging on generic jump scares.

In a world devoid of P.T. – aka Silent Hills, we found Layers of Fear to offer an intriguing take on the horror genre and video game storytelling. Turn off the lights, turn up the volume, and immerse yourself in the world that Layers of Fear has to offer.

Layers of Fear sits somewhere between the pejoratively classified ‘walking simulators’ and a full game experience, as for the most part you are simply wandering around and solving the odd puzzle.

Layers of Fear creates an immersive experience with its stunning graphics, engaging story, and particularly well-crafted story. While players must piece much of the game together for themselves, it’s a worthwhile experience.

Layers of Fear isn't shy about its influences, but if you were impressed by the P.T. demo, then how do you fancy five or so hours more? This is a tidily presented, tantalisingly tense trip through a fractured psyche – it's dark, desperate, and depraved. Bloober Team hasn't concocted the most original slice of horror in history, but it has pulled its inspirations together shrewdly – and the results are both repulsive and rousing.

Frightening, disturbing and psychedelic, Layers of Fear is an excellent horror experience inspired by P.T. The Bloober Team’s game might be a little too short and not so much interactive but it’s a great journey inside a psychotic mind.

The game’s characters and disturbing visions are so twisted yet vivid that they will stay with you for a long time, and even become part of your own nightmares.

The game may rely on a few too many jump scares and voice acting may feel off at times, but there's still no denying that Layers of Fears is a truly memorable and massively creepy experience.

A touch of E.A. Poe and some jump-scares make for an interesting horror flick, but not a memorable one. It's lacking some polish, and that's a real shame.

Layers of Fear is like a videogame based on Edgar Allan Poe's tales. Several technical issues arise, but it achieves the feat of making us feel tension and fear.

A horrifying affair that will have you flinging the pad across the room in terror, ending any hope of a restful night's sleep. In the best possible way. Job done then. [Apr 2016, p.88]

Layers of Fear has a lousy framerate on PS4, the tempo is excruciating at the start and it’s filled with lazy jump scares but as you progress further you come to experience a good horror story that’s worth checking out. [april. 2016 / page 68]

While Layers of Fear hews close to horror game tradition all too often, it does offer enough innovation to make it a worthwhile experience - especially when played after dark.

Layers of Fear delivers on its promise of a unique vision of gothic horror, but the game leans heavily on creepy dolls and other cliche genre gimmicks to jump scare players as they explore its shifting corridors.

Layers of Fear is a fun ride. If you can live with the poor frame rate you'll find a horror game that relishes the chance to mess with your head, delivers plenty of scares, jumps and heart-pounding moments, and wraps it up in a bizarre yet intriguing storyline.

What Layers of Fear lacks in complexity, it more than makes up for with atmosphere. It’s a bizarre and thrilling ride that doesn’t even considering letting up as you traverse a truly broken mind. The concept is incredibly novel and well portrayed, the wellbeing of your limping vessel never coming into debate as he works on his masterpiece. It’s just a shame that, even with all the literary influences, the phenomenal and thought-provoking ambiance isn’t backed up by the writing or voice work that can both feel flat and uninspired more often than not.

Horror game with a great mood and beautiful environment, which would need a larger number of puzzles. But still it is an interesting option for fans of horror stories. [Issue#262]

What could've been a new high-water mark for horror is weighed down by a litany of clanging missteps, but while the game's many problems conspire to tarnish its innovations, the latter are so far ahead of other games' tricks that they dazzle nonetheless. [April 2016, p.115]

The dearly departed P.T. finally has some notable competition as your chief nightmare provider. [May 2016, p74]

It’s a feat of atmospheric design on par with Alien Isolation or Soma. And while it doesn’t salvage the story or excuse the cheap scare tactics, what’s more intriguing is the design team’s way of looking, and what that might inspire down the road.

Wonderfully mischievous visual tricks and grim environments can’t stop Layers of Fear from falling flat with its hellish pacing, framerate issues and scares you can spot a mile away.

From a visual and story point of view, the Layers of fear masterpiece edition is indeed a masterpiece, but it is a game, and sadly the entire gameplay side of things is extremely disappointing and turns what could have been a very impressive and cutting edge psychological horror title up there with the likes of Silent Hill, into nothing more than another boring and generic indie horror, so short that even the $30 its in the PlayStation store for is a stretch.

Horror fans may want to give Layers of Fear a shot if they can find it in a future Humble Bundle or if it eventually pops up as a free downloadable via Xbox or PlayStation subscriptions. I can’t recommend it beyond that.