Layers of Fear (2023 video game)

Last updated
Layers of Fear
Layers of Fear cover art 2023.png
Developer(s) Bloober Team
Publisher(s) Bloober Team
Series Layers of Fear
Engine Unreal Engine 5
Platform(s)
ReleaseJune 15, 2023
Genre(s) psychological horror , adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

Layers of Fear [lower-alpha 1] is a 2023 first-person psychological horror game developed and published by Bloober Team. It is a remake of and sequel to the 2016 game Layers of Fear and its sequel Layers of Fear 2 (2019), combining stories from the previous games with new content. The game was released for Windows, macOS, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S in June 2023. It received mixed reviews upon release.

Contents

Development

The game was created in Unreal Engine 5. [1] The game was inspired by P.T. [2]

Plot

Reception

According to review aggregator Metacritic, the PC version and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game received "mixed or average" reviews, [3] [4] while the PS5 version received generally positive reviews. [4] Critics generally praised the introduction of a new framing story to combine the narratives from the previous games. [6] [7] Its environment and visual design was also praised, although many critics felt that it was not very terrifying. [8] [9] [7]

Dakota Evans, in a review for Game Rant , described it as "a beautiful yet terrifying game that accomplishes being both a remake and a sequel simultaneously." [10] Lewis Parker, writing for PC Gamer , praised the game's storytelling themes, favorably comparing its gameplay to the Amnesia series. [11] Mark Delaney of GameSpot and Ashley Bardhan of Kotaku described the plot as largely disappointing despite the quality of the game's visual design. [7] [12] Delaney and Michael Cripe of The Escapist both described the gameplay as lacking in tension, comparing it to experiences like an amusement park ride or haunted attraction. [9]

Some journalists found the decision to use the same name as the 2016 game confusing and unclear. [2] [11] [13] [14]

Notes

  1. ↑ Originally known as Layers of Fears

Related Research Articles

<i>Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic</i> Video game series

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) is a media franchise of space western role-playing video games created and developed by BioWare, which have seen releases on the original Xbox, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, IOS and Android. The franchise takes place in the fictional universe of Star Wars by George Lucas.

<i>Dead Space</i> Video game series

Dead Space is a science fiction/horror franchise created and directed by Glen Schofield. Dead Space was developed by Visceral Games and published and owned by Electronic Arts. The franchise's chronology is not presented in a linear format; each installment in the Dead Space franchise is a continuation or addition to a continuing storyline, with sections of the storyline presented in prequels or sequels, sometimes presented in other media from the originating video game series, which includes two films and several comic books and novels.

Bloober Team S.A. is a Polish video game developer based in Kraków. Founded in November 2008 by Peter Babieno and Peter Bielatowicz, the company is best known for developing horror games such as Layers of Fear (2016), Observer (2017), Blair Witch (2019), and The Medium (2021). In January 2018, Bloober Team received the Paszport Polityki award in the "Digital Culture" category. It owns third-party publisher Feardemic.

<i>Layers of Fear</i> 2016 video game

Layers of Fear is a psychological horror adventure game developed by Bloober Team and published by Aspyr. It was released on Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One worldwide in February 2016.

In the video game industry, 2021 saw the release of many new titles. The numerous delays in software and hardware releases due to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted development schedules, leading to several games being delayed into 2022 or even postponed indefinitely. Additionally, computer and console hardware were impacted by the combined effects of a semiconductor shortage and a rising growth of bitcoin mining that strained the supply of critical components.

<i>Sherlock Holmes Chapter One</i> 2021 action-adventure video game

Sherlock Holmes Chapter One is an action-adventure mystery video game in the Sherlock Holmes series developed by Frogwares. It is also the first game in the series to be self-published by Frogwares itself. Described as an "origin story", the game follows a young Sherlock Holmes as he investigates a mystery in his family's home on the Mediterranean island of Cordona after his mother's death. It is the first open world title in the series.

<i>Resident Evil Village</i> 2021 video game

Resident Evil Village is a 2021 survival horror game developed and published by Capcom. It is the sequel to Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017) and the tenth main game of the Resident Evil series. Players control Ethan Winters, who searches for his kidnapped daughter in a village filled with mutant creatures. Village maintains survival horror elements from previous games, with players scavenging environments for items and managing resources while adding more action-oriented gameplay, with higher enemy counts and a greater emphasis on combat.

<i>Hellpoint</i> 2020 video game

Hellpoint is a 2020 action role-playing game developed by Cradle Games and published by tinyBuild. It released for Windows, Linux, MacOS, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on July 30. The player takes on the role of a nameless humanoid stranded on derelict space station Irid Novo, and must battle vicious creatures in order to solve the mystery behind the events that happened there. Irid Novo orbits a massive black hole; the station's position in relation to the black hole affects the strength of enemies. Versions for Stadia and Nintendo Switch were released in February 2021, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions released in July 2022.

<i>Evil Dead: The Game</i> 2022 video game

Evil Dead: The Game is a 2022 asymmetric survival horror game developed by Saber Interactive and published by Boss Team Games. It is part of the Evil Dead franchise. It features Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, along with most of the original cast reprising their roles.

<i>Dead Space</i> (2023 video game) Video game remake

Dead Space is a 2023 survival horror game developed by Motive Studio and published by Electronic Arts. A remake of the 2008 game of the same name developed by EA Redwood Shores, it is the first release in the Dead Space series since 2013's Dead Space 3. Like the original game, it is set on a mining spaceship overrun by deadly monsters called Necromorphs following the discovery of an artifact called the Marker. The player controls engineer Isaac Clarke as he navigates the spaceship and fights the Necromorphs while struggling with growing psychosis.

<i>Instinction</i> (video game) Upcoming video game

Instinction is an upcoming action-adventure video game developed and published by Hashbane Interactive, based in New Zealand. Inspired by the Dino Crisis game series, development began around early 2020. It was originally scheduled for release in September 2022, although additional project financing helped fund a larger development team to expand the game, with the release pushed to 2025. It will be released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

<i>Resident Evil 4</i> (2023 video game) Video game remake

Resident Evil 4 is a 2023 survival horror game developed and published by Capcom. A remake of the 2005 game Resident Evil 4, players control the US agent Leon S. Kennedy, who must save Ashley Graham, the daughter of the United States president, from the mysterious Los Illuminados cult. The remake has an updated plot, new visuals, characters, cast, and altered gameplay.

<i>Alone in the Dark</i> (2024 video game) 2024 video game

Alone in the Dark is a 2024 survival horror video game developed by Pieces Interactive and published by THQ Nordic. The game is a reimagining of the original 1992 Alone in the Dark and is the seventh installment in the Alone in the Dark video game series. The game features a single-player narrative set in the 1930s, where players can choose to play as Edward Carnby or Emily Hartwood, as they make their way through Derceto Mansion to uncover the mysteries within. It was released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on 20 March 2024. Upon release, it received mixed reviews from critics.

<i>The Texas Chain Saw Massacre</i> (2023 video game) Survival horror video game

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a 2023 asymmetrical survival horror game developed by Sumo Nottingham and published by Gun Interactive. It is based on the 1974 film of the same name. The game features seven victims attempting to escape the family of cannibals before they catch and kill them. The game's cast stars Kane Hodder as Leatherface and Edwin Neal as the voice of The Hitchhiker.

<i>The Invincible</i> (video game) 2023 video game

The Invincible is an adventure video game developed by Starward Industries and published by 11 Bit Studios. It is an adaptation of the 1964 Polish novel The Invincible. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 6, 2023.

<i>Killer Frequency</i> 2023 video game

Killer Frequency is a 2023 first-person horror-adventure game developed and published by Team17. The game takes place in a small town in 1987, where players control a DJ who acts as an impromptu radio dispatcher when a serial killer returns to terrorize the town's residents. The player must take calls from the survivors and solve various puzzles to help them escape the killer. It received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised its gameplay and comedy horror elements.

<i>Greyhill Incident</i> 2023 survival horror game

Greyhill Incident is a 2023 survival horror game developed by Refugium Games and published by Perp Games. The game revolves around an alien invasion in the fictional town of Greyhill. It was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S in June 2023.

References

  1. ↑ "Horror Games Releasing In 2023 You Should Know About". Game Rant. 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  2. 1 2 Ogilvie, Tristan (2023-06-15). "Layers of Fear Review". IGN. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  3. 1 2 "Layers of Fear for PC reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  4. 1 2 3 "Layers of Fear for PlayStation 5 reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Layers of Fear for Xbox Series X/S reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  6. ↑ Square, Push (2023-06-15). "Review: Layers of Fear (PS5) - A Collection That Brilliantly Reframes the Series". Push Square. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  7. 1 2 3 "Layers Of Fear (2023) Review - Delusions Of Grandeur". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  8. ↑ Boddy, Zachary (2023-07-02). "Layers of Fear (2023) Xbox review — A mostly good remake of a mostly good horror series". Windows Central. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  9. 1 2 Cripe, Michael (2023-06-15). "Layers of Fear 2023 Review in 3 Minutes - Still Not Great". The Escapist. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  10. ↑ "Layers of Fear (2023): Remake vs Original, Is the Remake Worth Playing?". Game Rant. 2023-06-17. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  11. 1 2 Parker, Lewis (2023-06-15). "Layers of Fear (2023) review". pcgamer. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  12. ↑ "Layers Of Fear: The Kotaku Review". Kotaku. 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  13. ↑ Blain, Louise; West, Josh (2022-11-05). "Upcoming horror games for 2023 and beyond". gamesradar. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  14. ↑ Ogilvie, Tristan (15 June 2023). "Layers of Fear Review". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.