A compilation of stories created by a writer in an abandoned (or not) lighthouse. Layers of Fear is a new opportunity for the horror genre, which I haven't seen in a while.
The game is available on the following platforms: PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, Mac OS.
STORY AND GAMEPLAY
Layers of Fear is a compilation of all games and DLC released under the franchise label previously. The games are presented from the perspective of a new story written by the author responsible for the novels, who faces conflicts similar to those reported in the story, however, from a more vulnerable perspective. Dividing the story into two big books and two small chapters, I can say that the Layers of Fear stories are good. The first is linked to a darker drama of a story of family pain. While the second one is more related to the rescue aspect. Although there are differences and a clear evolution between the first and second games, when we play sequentially, that is, one after the other, we notice so many similarities in the two main stories that, if I were told that they were the same game.
The gameplay is basically the same, since, along the way, we look for keys, new doors and, in general, we walk a straight path, with scares, using our flashlight, scaring away the aberration or the evil spirit that accompanies us in certain parts of the game. It is difficult to get lost in any of the games and this is a great merit of the franchise, as we are teleported at various times just to look at an object or simply by turning the camera. The five stories in Layers of Fear are: The Writer (narrative that brings all the others together in one story), Painter (first game), Daughter (DLC), Musician (DLC), Actor (second game story).
ASPECTOS TÉCNICOS
Here is where Layers of Fear shines with mastery.
With all the stories redone using Unreal Engine 5, the whole graphic aspect of the game is amazing, from the most closed scenarios (the majority), to the most open ones. It was one of the first games I decided to play in fidelity mode on the console, on a 4k OLED TV and in line with HDR10 and, above all, Ray Tracing. The experience is even more impressive, whether through lighting that comes directly from a flame or the reflections of wood that are on the ship in the second game. The game's audio mix also deserves praise.
When I started, I noticed that the game was a little slow and at some point we have to face the real challenges of escaping from a haunting or a deformed creature, depending on the game in question. I can say that, having the headset with Dolby Atmos activated, there wasn't a single time these creatures approached me that didn't give me goosebumps. In fact, the game managed to meet the demands of the new generation, both in terms of audio and beautiful visual details.
CONQUISTAS
I'm not a player very attached to the genre, so I opted to play only the narrative of the two main Layers of Fear games, without playing the DLC or going after collectibles, and I managed to accomplish almost half of the achievements in the game. Unfortunately whoever made the achievements in this game, is stuck in time or really hates the players. It is extremely bad that there are so many collectable items within a game, where, simply by going through a door, we are transported to other rooms without the possibility of returning. In this way, we have to start over a whole chapter to find these objects, being photos, paintings and others that are extremely missable. Also, the game, upon launch, appears to have a broken achievement, as no one has yet achieved all of the achievements on Xbox.
OFFICIAL TRAILER
CONCLUSION
Layers of Fear is a great compilation, a game that stands out in the technical part, but the stories are not so strong that we can have a deepening. The characters, without much charisma and forgettable, are certainly written from other times by the company. They no doubt thought it would be a good idea to redo the whole experience and that the narrative could still hold strong. Unfortunately whoever made the achievements in this game was completely crazy, because in addition to achievements that players hate that are missable, there is a glitch in the console that makes the game impossible to be completed by anyone.
Despite not being as familiar with the genre, I am happy to see that Bloober Team has a promising future in the gaming world. If big publishers decide to also give their franchises to other more reputable companies, as they gave them Sillent Hill, give their games to Bloober, we will have great horror games emerging and the genre will be well served for years. It seems that they are succeeding in their strategy, and now, with some additional help in terms of engaging with deeper and deeper characters and stories, I have no doubt that Bloober Team will have a bright future in the field of horror games.
Review by Gamertag: Scoulz
Comments