Layers of Fear: Legacy

The concept of losing one’s sanity is perhaps one of the most relatable fears of all. Layers of Fear: Legacy captures that idea in a way not seen in gaming since the days of Eternal Darkness. While the two titles share that theme, Legacy is strong enough to stand on its own. The scares are plentiful and well thought out, the visuals are jarring and the game’s audio is downright haunting. It just might be the scariest title currently available on Switch.

This Nintendo Switch version of Layers of Fears offers new possibilities with the touch screen and the Joy-Cons and the DLC is of course included. It is also a little bit downgraded in terms of visuals, but the game is still the same: an outstanding narrative/horror adventure that you really shouldn't miss if you like the genre.

A brilliant horror experience that ticks all the right boxes. Just make sure you play in a dark room with headphones on.

Despite some minor performance issues and the occasional on-the-nose writing, Layers of Fear: Legacy is a fantastic horror experience for Switch owners. You get two great stories, both accessible right from the menu screen — I highly recommend you play the main story before Inheritance, though — that offer gripping tales and shocking scares. Better yet, both are playable in portable mode, ensuring that the courageous and unafraid can get their fill of terror before bed. It may not be P.T. in name, but for those seeking that same level of atmosphere and hallway-twisting tension, Legacy fits the bill.

It would be easy to dismiss Layers of Fear as a funhouse, but the reality is that this game goes far deeper than a ride through a spooky house. As an examination of family, artistic obsession, alcoholism and regret, Layers of Fear hits on a deeper level while still delivering quality scares.

Layers of Fear: Legacy is a brilliant horror story for (almost) all ages and levels of terror stamina. The artwork takes your breath away and the content in it keeps you guessing. Even though the controls for this game on Nintendo Switch are a little clunky I am confident making Layers of Fear: Legacy a priority on your gaming menu would be a very favourable decision.

Layers of Fear is a perfectly well-made horror-adventure game. The feeling that you get from playing is mostly fear. Get ready for one of the best game of the horror genre.

Layers of Fear may at first glance fit into the often derided walking simulator subgenre, but its impressive design makes it a much deeper and more memorable experience than one would initially expect. It represents an effective Switch port and even goes out of its way to include a motion control option. In the Switch’s growing library of horror titles, Layers of Fear has positioned itself as a powerful front runner.

With multiple endings for both the base game and its DLC episode, Layers of Fear: Legacy is certainly one of the most affecting horror games of the last few years and it’s surprisingly at home on the Nintendo Switch. Just don’t play it in bed, or if you like to paint.

Despite some technical issues, Layers of Fear: Legacy manages to weave together an incredibly intimate, and tense, family drama that can scare just as effortlessly it can intrigue. Each new setting and puzzle reveals a piece of the overarching narrative through an eerie atmosphere that blends perfectly with the haunting score. There's never a dull moment as each chapter has its own defined feel to distinguish it from the rest of the game. Scares come fast, but almost always psychologically, slowly raising the tension as the story comes to a close. Layers of Fear: Legacy may stutter at times, but it's easily one of the best horror titles on the market.

An awesome chance for the Switch users to enjoy one of the most intense horror games in the last few years. Deep, dark and charming, this edition contains the original game and also its DLC: Inheritance. Get ready to turn off the lights.

Two years after the release Layers of Fear remains even on Switch an excellent walking simulator in spite of limited longevity.

Nintendo Switch finally has its first great horror game in Layers Of Fear: Legacy. The creativity in its scares helps to keep you guessing about what’s around every corner, and even then, its unique set-pieces will most certainly surprise you anyway. Slightly lacklustre gameplay aside, the plot’s descent into madness, the title’s dedication to messing with your expectations to set up a scare, and the simple fact that this is a solid Switch port, means that this is horrific experience is one you won’t want to miss out on.

Those who pretend to find swords and guns in video games would do better to look for them elsewhere.

This is a game that plays with us, taking us where it wants to and it's impossible to resist its story. However, bad optimization weighs down a great game that is still worth the effort and gathers so many influences from horror games and works such as those of Edgar Allan Poe that becomes a fun, terrifying option.

Even with the technical problems that are even more evident on Switch than two years on PS4 or One, this is still one frightening horror-trip.

Layers of Fear: Legacy is a great video game, but this is not its best version. There are some issues with its framerate that are a burden for the player. However, this is one of the best horror choices that this console has.

In some regards, Layers of Fears is special despite its sometimes clear faults. However it’s somewhat clear lack of polish in its performance can, and most certainly does take away from the otherwise spooky immersion.

Layers of Fear is a well executed title, which focuses on the linearity and jump scares rather than psychological terror. But his biggest setback is a story that could have given more of itself for enjoying this "ghost train" more than just going through it.

Layers of Fear: Legacy shows a new potential on Nintendo Switch, at the price of a poor optimization.

The Nintendo Switch has finally found itself a horror game to be proud in Layers of Fear: Legacy, fulfilling the promise of a corridor creeper that's full of ideas and filled with plenty of unsettling exploration.

Layers of Fear: Legacy is a scary reflection of humanity, but perhaps not as scary as your own reflection on the Nintendo Switch's screen.

Layers of Fear: Legacy has some flaws, but the central experience – exploring an ever-changing mansion as you descend into madness – is solid and exciting. If you don’t mind a few cheap scares, there’s a good horror game here.