“I know how you must feel. Lost, alone, hopeless. You probably deserve it.” – The Artist, Layers of Fear
Images and gameplay for Layers of Fear courtesy of Bloober Team.
Layers of Fear was developed and published by Bloober Team SA. Based in Poland, Bloober Team SA is an independent studio founded in 2008 by Peter Babieno and Peter Bielatowicz.
Story
In Layers of Fear, you play the part of an unnamed painter, who is suffering from a deteriorating mental state. Your state had declined to the point that your wife had left you, and had taken your daughter with her. Sadly, for her, she fell victim to a raging fire and had to move back in with you. Don’t worry though, before you’re through here, you’ll put her through even worse torture, eventually ending in her taking her own life. (All dependent on the choices you make along the way.) There are multiple endings, but they are all equally depressing.
Or…you could end up locked in the basement with an Oujia board. Seriously…once you go in, there’s no way out except to use the board to spell out “end” and start the game over. On the positive side, there is about a dozen little cards in there so you can see what happened to the last folks who used the board. This was supposedly a bonus level, but I can’t see how it fits that definition.
Clik here to view.
Behold! The canvas for your great masterpiece!
Gameplay
Layers of Fear, is done in a first person perspective in which the player controls an unnamed artist who is bumbling around his ever changing house, trying to find the “supplies” he needs to finish his magnum opus. Along the way there are plenty of doors, cabinets and drawers to open, many of which contain collectibles that add to the back story. Occasionally there’s a puzzle to work out, but the clues are always close by and fairly easy to spot. Sprinkle in a few cut scenes and some obligatory jump scares, and poof, you’ve got a game.
I feel obligated to point out the control scheme. When you’re interacting with a door or cabinet, you will need to navigate the hand cursor to the handle, grasp with the main button, and literally swing the stick left or right to open or close the door. I’m cool with opening animation, but forcing me to wiggle my thumbs around isn’t immersive, it’s annoying! Seriously, just let me toggle the damn thing!
Clik here to view.
OMG NO! IT’S… yawn…supposed to be scary?
Style
Graphically, Layers of Fear is a not on par with this generation of games. (Yes, I know it’s an older game…it’s still current generation!) I recognize that the dim lighting was intended to make the game frightening, but it only accomplishes a mild depression. Even the “scary” visuals don’t stand up to close inspection as you can maneuver enough to see the empty space behind some of the models.
I turned off the audio…it was just annoying. I’m sure someone will say that this was essential to setting the mood. I couldn’t agree more…but the mood it set was putting me to sleep.
Is It Worth It?
Layers of Fear is $20 on all platforms, but that is beside the point. In case you couldn’t tell, I am not recommending this game. It didn’t matter how many chances I gave it, I just could not stay interested. I’m just one opinion though…my daughter loved the game and has played through multiple times.
Grandpa Gamer Says: Unless you need help taking a nap, pass!
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