Layers of Fear is an experience that's sickening to the core, but in all the right ways. The psychological horror game - which is developed by Bloober Team and Anshar Studios, and published by Bloober Team - takes the player on a downward spiral towards madness, exploring the stories of several characters who all find themselves in harmful relationships with their art.

[Warning: The following article contains minor spoilers for Layers of Fear.]The Layers of Fear series saw its start in 2016 with the release of the original Layers of Fear, which told the tragic narrative of the Painter. Later that year, the Inheritance DLC would revisit the Painter's story from the perspective of his daughter, and in 2019, Layers of Fear 2 stepped into a spotlight of its own with the mysterious Actor's story. 2023's Layers of Fear reimagines the previous three titles, but it also introduces two brand-new narratives that tie up loose ends and shed light on an ominous larger picture.

Related: Layers of Fear Preview: New Stories & Scares

Many Mediums, One Connected Story

Layers of Fear begins with the all-new story of the Writer, who is on a creative retreat in an old, dilapidated lighthouse after winning a writing competition. Without revealing too much, it quickly becomes apparent how the Writer's own tale is interwoven with the others - and that there's a dark, sinister being named the Muse that binds each character's story together. As each protagonist progresses through their own narrative, they'll be subject to the Writer's overarching perspective and the Muse's guidance (or misguidance). While a bit jarring at times, it certainly provides a fresh outlook on stories that some players may already be familiar with.

The game covers grim themes of all sorts within each chapter, including mental illness, abuse, grief, trauma, identity, and more. Though the story is told almost entirely through environmental cues like notes, memorabilia, and voice lines, Layers of Fear manages to make each character complex and believable. Oftentimes, when at a crossroads, it won't be immediately obvious which way is right - or which character is right - which leads to some interesting introspection on the player's part.

For instance, the harrowing tale of the Painter's wife is further explored for the first time in Layers of Fear. The story, though short and sweet, provides insight into her own personal struggles with identity and mental health, essentially being the inverse of the Painter's story. It answers some burning questions that players may have retained from the original game, but at the same time, it makes it that much more difficult to gauge which of the two is more worth sympathizing with (especially given the overarching narratives with the Writer and the Muse).

New Mechanics To Fight The Darkness

Perception-based puzzles, optical illusions, and lots of walking all remain the crux of Layers of Fear gameplay. However, the game has now introduced brand-new flashlight and lantern mechanics, which tip the scales less towards "walking simulator" and more towards survival horror. Armed with the power of light (on a cooldown, at least), players can defend themselves against the enemies they'll now meet periodically throughout their journey. Such threats are fortunately easy to vanquish, and they're few and far between, but the looming threat of a death screen is just enough to keep tensions high.

The lantern and flashlight can both be used to solve special puzzles, too. For example, the Painter can use the lantern to banish "echoes" that haunt him, revealing hidden objects. Meanwhile, the Actor can use the flashlight to animate mannequins, which can lead to secret solutions or new paths to explore. There are some truly unique and entertaining conundrums for players to tackle with these tools, and it's also just nice to have some extra illumination abilities in the game's many dark areas.

Especially with a flashlight or lantern in hand, exploring the map in Layers of Fear is one of the most rewarding aspects of gameplay. Finding various collectibles and uncovering new ageways is not only satisfying, but it can help players piece together the protagonist's story and unlock different endings. The one flaw with exploration lies in that upon entering some sections, players will be locked into the new area, unable to go back for any missed items due to a locked door or sudden wall. This harbors a strange prediction mini-game in which one must anticipate which doorway will be the one to progress them, should they hope to unlock as many collectibles as possible.

Dense, Dizzying Atmosphere

Being built on Unreal Engine 5, Layers of Fear is visually a work of art, and this contributes to an intense atmosphere that's constantly sinking its talons into the player. Dynamic lighting and particle effects make the air feel heavy and thick. The colors are vibrant and inviting (as much as they can be for a horror game), and every new environment feels unique and different from the last. The Painter's story excels in particular, as the walls are decorated with dark, disturbing classical paintings that naturally invoke a sense of unease. It's almost like strolling through an art museum that also happens to be a haunted house.

The audial ambiance is not to be understated, either. The soundtrack tugs at the heartstrings when it needs to, but for the most part, players won't have the luxury of an orchestral symphony. Instead, they'll be hearing the deep, distorted sound of a cello, the tense plucking of strings, the faint clicking of a creature, or the distant echoes of memories. That's not to mention the binaural audio in the Actor's story; when paired with the Director's low, growling voice, it becomes just as terrifying as it is impressive and immersive. It's a subtle backdrop to the game as a whole, but it does a lot of heavy lifting.

Review Score & Final Thoughts

Layers of Fear is a game that will strike a chord with players, in one way or another. Bloober Team and Anshar Studios take what strong foundation had already been laid with the first three titles, and improves upon it substantially with fresh, impactful mechanics, excellent visuals, and a brand-new, overarching tale that spans the length of all artists' stories. For both new and loyal fans alike, Layers of Fear is a worthwhile venture back down the rabbit hole.

Source: Bloober Team/YouTube

Layers of Fear releases on June 15, 2023 for PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Apple Silicon Mac. Screen Rant was provided with a digital PC code for the purpose of this review.