The overall presentation, however, is top-notch and creative, which is especially important in the horror genre. I got used to it after a while, but if the development team were to fix this issue, it would significantly improve the playability and smoothness of the game. This causes the controls to be slightly delayed, and even a bit sluggish. One thing that was difficult to overlook was a significant drop in the frame-rate. Simply put, finding numbers on walls or within paintings simply won’t be challenging enough for all players. This process worked okay, but I do wish there were some more complicated puzzles.
As you explore the mansion, doors will require keys or a series of numbers to open locks there is even a sequence with an old rotary phone that requires a phone number to advance. All you can essentially do is walk, open doors, pick up collectibles and solve the occasional lock puzzle. as well as other indie titles such as Gone Home and Slender – all first-person ‘walking simulators’ with minimal controls. The gameplay itself is quite similar to the cancelled Silent Hill teaser, P.T. I suspect some players might find this process a bit tedious, but I personally enjoyed searching for any trace of a clue and also appreciated there was a good balance of items and artwork to uncover. If you’re looking to experience as much of the game as possible, it’s important to be thorough when searching the rooms. I thought this was a good idea as it encourages more than one playthrough, with some pathways changing the direction of the narrative entirely. Most of the rooms have desk draws and cupboards to look through, and by finding specific items or by performing different acts, you can trigger one of three outcomes at the end of the game. Although, that’s not to say that there isn’t room for exploration as well. Layers of Fear is mostly laid out with clear pathways the player must follow, with much of the game being scripted to drive the story forward. You’ll also find a series of newspaper clippings throughout your journey, as well as letters and written notes from the protagonist’s wife, which help to fill the gaps in the story. Personally, I found the story unique and compelling it was a fresh and twisted concept that drew me right into the experience. Within its twisted corridors, your goal is to find the final masterpiece – the painting that the main character has forever strived to complete. As you proceed through the mansion, you’ll uncover strange visions, as well as room altering sequences and disturbing imagery. You control the main character, a deranged painter who must collect his memories and conquer the madness that’s consuming him. The screenshots looked downright spine-chilling, with the attention to detail cranked up very high.ĭeveloped by Bloober Team, Layers of Fear is a first-person mind-altering horror game designed to frighten and terrorise any players who decide to venture into its Victorian-era mansion. As a big fan of classic survival horror games such as Silent Hill 2, the Resident Evil series, and, more recently, Alan Wake, I was keen to try my hand at Layers of Fear because I love a good scare. Instead of simply being a passive observer, you’re an active participant that must endure unfamiliar environments and escape the unknown terrors that lurk around every corner. Horror is such an incredible genre, not to mention one that feels right at home within the realm of video games.