Info about Layers of Fear:

Official game description:
CHECK OUT THE NEW GAME FROM BLOOBER TEAM
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About the Game
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The canvas awaits its final brushstrokes. The stage calls for its lead actor. The novel needs its final chapter. It’s time to face your fears. One. Last. Time.  
The series, which has left a mark on narrative-driven first-person psychological horror games, returns to tell its final spine-chilling story in Layers of Fear.. The series’ crowning work is the definitive way to experience the critically acclaimed franchise as it features Layers of Fear and Layers of Fear 2, as well as all DLCs (including the new ‘The Final Note’ DLC that will give you a new perspective on the Layers of Fear storyline) and the never-before-told story of The Writer, which will tie everything together. Built on Unreal Engine 5, Layers of Fear supports Ray Tracing, HDR and 4K resolution to make the stunning visuals, and your nightmarish experience, as immersive and realistic as possible.  
**Layers of Fear: Create Your Magnum Opus**  
“The one precious thing you ever truly desired… FINISH IT.”  
Explore a Victorian mansion covered in artwork as The Painter, whose sanity crumbles and cracks just like old oil paint on canvas. Trawl through the ever-changing house to find the supplies needed for your greatest masterpiece, all while trying to outrun your past.  
Inheritance DLC: Face Your Past  
“I was once told insanity runs in my family… It’s time to make it stop.”  
Told from the perspective of The Painter’s Daughter, you come seeking answers. What secrets does this homestead hold? Will you ever truly understand the madness that bestowed your father? Can you ever forgive him? The house may hold everything you need to know... if you can face reliving your past.  
**The Final Note DLC: Delve Even Deeper**  
A brand new DLC which aims to shed more light on The Painter, his muse and the family’s backstory, The Final Note is told from the perspective of The Painter’s Wife. This additional narrative may change how you see the characters of the first game, as well as their actions.  
**Layers of Fear 2: Hit Your Marks**  
“Time waits for no one, actor. Do not waste ours.”  
You are the lead actor in a production being filmed aboard an ocean liner, but all is not what it seems. Explore the ship and discover why you were perfect for The Director’s (voiced by Tony Todd) latest film. You awake and are told one simple command “Act.” But will you?  
**The Final Prologue**  
The first expansion to Layers of Fear 2’s storyline allows you to step into the director’s seat and take the reins of a troubled Hollywood production. Immerse yourself into the psyche of the movie’s creator as you seek to complete your final masterpiece, even as the set around you descends into chaos.  
It’s up to you to direct the action and make sure that what’s in the script makes it onto the silver screen. Experiment with different takes and try to fulfill your vision of the ultimate horror movie, all while battling inner demons and external forces that threaten to derail the whole production.  
This latest chapter in the Layers of Fear anthology is available as a FREE UPDATE for all current Layers of Fear owners. The Final Prologue is playable as a separate chapter within the game’s menu.  
**The Lighthouse Chapter: Link the Layers**  
Enter a lone and ghastly lighthouse as the newest protagonist, The Writer, and discover a never-before-told tale which will tie the entire series together. What awaits you there? You’ll just have to find out.  
Game Features:  
*   Explore unsettling environments and solve strange puzzles to unveil the narrative at the heart of this first-person psychological horror experience.
*   Three different stories of craft-obsessed protagonists (The Painter, The Actor and The Writer) which are interwoven to create a truly immersive experience and gripping storyline.
*   Everything in the Layers of Fear series, including all DLCs, so you can find the answers you want.
*   New brand-new core mechanics that will be introduced to Layers of Fear and its sequel, as well as additional features, so all the chapters and stories will blend seamlessly.
*   Rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5, Layers of Fear supports Ray Tracing, HDR and 4K resolution to make the visuals as realistic as possible.
*   The new Lumen system offers the most immersive and visceral horror experience.
*   A hauntingly beautiful soundtrack by the highly acclaimed and award-winning composer, Arek Reikowski. He has composed a hypnotic score that adds an extra layer of tension to the game and will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Release date: 15 Jun, 2023

Categories: First-Person Perspective, Psychological Horror, Narrative Adventure, Walking Simulator, Environmental Storytelling, Puzzle Solving, Multiple Endings, Exploration


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Exceptional Psychological Horror Experience (weight 1): Players overwhelmingly praise the game's overall quality, highlighting its immersive psychological horror, stunning visuals, and compelling narrative. The remake successfully enhances the original experience, offering a comprehensive collection of content with significant graphical and gameplay improvements.
- Stunning Visuals and Art Direction (weight 0.51): The game's visual fidelity, powered by Unreal Engine 5, is consistently lauded as a major highlight. Players are impressed by the detailed environments, dynamic lighting, and overall artistic direction, which significantly enhance the immersive and unsettling atmosphere.
- Compelling and Deep Narrative (weight 0.5): The narrative is consistently praised for its originality, depth, and emotional impact. Players find the stories, particularly the Painter's and Actor's, to be engaging, thought-provoking, and well-crafted, with strong character writing and intriguing symbolism.
- Comprehensive Remake with New Content (weight 0.27): The game is a comprehensive collection of all previous Layers of Fear titles and DLC, with significant enhancements and new content. Players appreciate the effort put into tying the stories together and expanding the lore, making it a definitive edition.
- Exceptional Sound Design and Soundtrack (weight 0.07): The game's sound design and soundtrack are highly effective in building tension and enhancing the horror. Players note how the music and ambient sounds create an unnerving atmosphere, contributing significantly to the overall immersion and scare factor.
- Dynamic and Shifting Environments (weight 0.07): A standout feature is the constantly shifting and morphing environments, which disorient and unnerve players. This dynamic level design, combined with meticulous detail, significantly contributes to the game's unique and immersive horror experience.
- Branching Choices and Replayability (weight 0.04): The inclusion of branching choices and multiple endings enhances replayability. Players appreciate the opportunity to explore different narrative paths and see how their decisions impact the story's outcome, adding depth and longevity.
- Bloober Team's Expertise in Horror (weight 0.03): Bloober Team is recognized for their consistent ability to craft compelling narrative horror experiences. Players commend the developer's imaginative design, strong atmosphere, and dedication to creating oppressive and emotionally intense scenarios.

Common complaints:
- Overall game experience is disappointing (weight 0.52): Many players found the overall game experience, including the core gameplay, story, and new content, to be boring, unengaging, and a significant disappointment compared to expectations or previous iterations. Specific criticism is directed at the Actor's story and DLCs for being particularly weak.
- Frequent crashes and game-breaking bugs (weight 0.37): A significant number of players reported frequent technical issues, including game crashes, freezes, and bugs that led to loss of save progress or inability to continue playing. This severely impacted the playability and enjoyment of the game.
- Frustrating gameplay mechanics (weight 0.34): Players found the gameplay mechanics, such as controls, save system, and exploration, to be frustrating or limited. Issues like unclear paths, repetitive puzzles, and difficulty in collecting items detracted from the experience.
- Lack of effective horror and scares (weight 0.33): Despite being a horror game, many players found it not scary, relying on predictable or ineffective jumpscares. The attempts to create fear often failed, and the addition of easily countered monsters diminished the horror atmosphere.
- Confusing and fragmented story (weight 0.33): The game's narrative is frequently described as confusing, fragmented, and difficult to follow, especially in later chapters and the second part. Players struggled to understand the plot, character motivations, and overall direction.
- Developer missteps and poor design (weight 0.04): Players expressed disappointment with the developer, Bloober Team, feeling they misunderstood what made their previous games successful. Criticisms include misguided design decisions, lack of innovation, and a focus on experimentation over solid horror elements.

Gameplay feedback:
- New Flashlight & Combat Mechanics (weight 0.15): The remake introduces a new flashlight mechanic across both games, allowing players to stun enemies, interact with the environment, and even trigger mannequin animations. This addition also brings new chase sequences and combat elements, particularly in the first game, which previously lacked such mechanics.
- Comprehensive Remake & Compilation (weight 0.13): The game is a comprehensive remake that combines Layers of Fear 1 (including its Inheritance DLC), Layers of Fear 2, and adds new narrative content like 'The Final Note' and an overarching 'Writer's Story'. This compilation aims to tie the entire franchise together into a cohesive experience.
- Primarily a Walking Simulator (weight 0.13): The core gameplay remains largely a 'walking simulator' experience, focusing on narrative progression, environmental exploration, and atmosphere rather than complex puzzles or action. Players primarily navigate linear corridors and rooms, interacting with objects to uncover the story.
- Environmental Storytelling & Lore (weight 0.06): The narrative is primarily delivered through environmental storytelling, including notes, paintings, and visions. Players must actively collect items and pay attention to details to piece together the fragmented stories and understand the characters' psychological states.
- Mixed Jump Scare Presence (weight 0.04): Player opinions on jump scares are mixed. While some claim there are no real jump scares, others state they are present but often serve a narrative or emotional purpose rather than being cheap frights.
- Multiple Endings & Replayability (weight 0.04): The game features multiple endings for each story, influenced by player choices, actions, or collectibles. Players can revisit chapters to explore different paths and unlock alternative conclusions, adding replayability.
- Optional Safe Mode (weight 0.03): A 'Safe Mode' option is available, which disables player death during chase sequences. This feature allows players who prefer a less stressful experience to enjoy the narrative without the threat of being caught by monsters.
- Writer's Story Links Narratives (weight 0.02): A new 'Writer's Story' acts as an overarching narrative framework, connecting the previously disparate stories of the Painter and the Actor, providing a cohesive link for the entire collection.
- Director's Story Unique Gameplay (weight 0.02): The 'Director's Story' introduces unique gameplay elements where players can influence scenes and 'shoot' movies on various sets, adding a layer of interactive storytelling.
- Flashlight Mannequin Interaction (weight 0.02): In Layers of Fear 2 (The Actor's storyline), the flashlight is used as a unique mechanic to interact with mannequins, making them perform actions and influencing the environment to progress.
- Painter's Family Story Explored (weight 0.02): The first part of the game delves into the tragic story of a painter, his musician wife ('The Final Note'), and their daughter ('The Daughter's Story'), exploring themes of family and artistic obsession.
- Subtle Storyline Alterations (weight 0.02): While largely faithful, the remake does include subtle alterations and modifications to certain sections of the original stories, particularly in Part 1, offering a slightly reimagined experience.

Performance notes:
- Presence of Minor Bugs (weight 0.08): While many players experienced few to no issues, a significant number reported various bugs, including those requiring game restarts or save reloads, graphical glitches like texture holes or T-poses, and occasional frame drops or freezes during loading.
- Excellent Performance & Optimization (weight 0.07): Many players report excellent performance and optimization, often achieving stable 60+ FPS even on high settings with Ray Tracing and DLSS. The game's use of Unreal Engine 5 and Lumen is frequently cited as a reason for its strong visual fidelity and smooth performance.
- Subtle Visual Improvements (weight 0.03): Some players found the visual improvements, particularly with Ray Tracing, to be minimal compared to the previous game or when toggling RTX on/off. This leads to questions about the necessity of the Unreal Engine 5 transfer for visual fidelity alone.
- Mostly Enclosed Environments (weight 0.01): A recurring observation is that the game primarily takes place in enclosed spaces, with a notable absence of wide, expansive landscapes.
- Good Platform Compatibility (weight 0.01): The game reportedly runs well on the Steam Deck and is playable on Linux using Proton Experimental, indicating good compatibility with non-Windows platforms.
- Good Binaural Sound (weight 0.01): The game's sound design is praised for being good and utilizing binaural audio for an immersive experience.

Recommendations:
- Highly Recommended for Horror Fans (weight 0.24): Many players highly recommend the game, especially for newcomers to the series or fans of narrative-driven, atmospheric psychological horror. It's praised for its immersive story and effective visuals, often suggested as a must-play for genre enthusiasts.
- Buy on Sale Recommended (weight 0.18): A significant number of reviews advise waiting for a sale or discount before purchasing the game, especially if players have already experienced the original titles. This suggests that while the game has merit, its full price might be considered steep by some.
- Originals Preferred for Veterans (weight 0.13): There's a strong sentiment that players who have already experienced the original Layers of Fear games may not find enough new content to justify purchasing this version. Many suggest playing the cheaper original games instead, or only buying the new version if it's on sale or if they are new to the series.
- Mixed Reception, Some Disappointment (weight 0.06): Some players express disappointment, finding the game a letdown or not worth a full-price purchase, particularly if they are returning fans. There are mixed feelings, with some giving reluctant positive reviews despite perceived shortcomings.
- Concerns for Bloober Team's Future (weight 0.02): Some players express concern about Bloober Team's future projects, particularly their handling of the Silent Hill 2 remake, based on their experience with this game. This indicates a level of apprehension regarding the developer's consistency.

Other player notes:
- Comprehensive Remastered Collection (weight 0.14): This game is a comprehensive package that remasters and combines the original Layers of Fear (2016) and Layers of Fear 2 (2019), along with their respective DLCs. It also introduces new content, including a 'Writer's Story' that serves as a narrative link, and additional 'Musician's' and 'Director's' stories, making it a significant update for both new and returning players.
- Optional Lore-Expanding Stories (weight 0.04): The game features several optional side stories, such as 'The Daughter's Story' and 'The Musician's Story,' which provide additional lore and character background. While skippable, these stories are recommended for a fuller understanding of the game's narrative.
- Deep Character Narratives (weight 0.03): The game delves into the tragic stories of its protagonists, such as the Painter's struggle with depression and alcoholism, and the Actor's journey. These narratives are supported by effective use of music and environmental storytelling.
- Psychological Horror Narrative (weight 0.03): The game is primarily a psychological horror experience, focusing on narrative-driven storytelling within a haunted house setting. It aims to create empathy with the protagonist through a first-person perspective, emphasizing atmosphere and psychological tension over jump scares.
- Artistic & Relatable Design (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's artistic design and narrative depth, finding it inspiring and relatable, particularly for those with creative backgrounds. It is seen as a thoughtfully crafted piece of art.
- Less Terrifying Than Expected (weight 0.02): Some players feel the game isn't intensely terrifying or a traditional 'horror' experience, especially for those seeking cheap scares. It's more of a slow-paced, atmospheric experience.
- Developed by Bloober & Anshar (weight 0.02): The game is a collaborative effort between Bloober Team and Anshar Studios. Bloober Team is recognized for its previous work in the 'walking simulator' genre, which influences the game's design.
- Multi-Language Support (weight 0.02): The game offers multiple language options, including Polish dubbing and Czech language support. This indicates an effort to cater to a broader international audience.
- Unreal Engine 5 Upgrade (weight 0.01): The game utilizes Unreal Engine 5 for its remade content, a significant upgrade from the original game's Unity engine and Layers of Fear 2's Unreal Engine 4.
- Intentional Chaotic Story (weight 0.01): The game's story can be chaotic, which is likely an intentional design choice by the creators to enhance the psychological aspect and encourage player interpretation.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.25): Players expressed satisfaction primarily due to the game's high artistic and narrative quality, including strong visuals, immersive atmosphere, and compelling storytelling. The overall quality of the game, its value, and improvements in the remake, especially in graphics and new content, also contributed significantly to positive experiences. The effective psychological and atmospheric horror elements were frequently highlighted as sources of enjoyment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Disappointment stemmed from various factors, including perceived shortcomings in gameplay, a lack of innovation, and technical issues that hindered enjoyment. Many players felt the remake's changes were detrimental, leading to a loss of the original's atmosphere and scariness. Specific criticisms included boring or confusing stories, mediocre second parts, and a general feeling that the game did not live up to expectations or its predecessors.
- Frustration (weight 0.16): Frustration was largely caused by technical issues such as bugs, crashes, and a poor save system, leading to lost progress. Gameplay design choices, including confusing paths, repetitive puzzles, and annoying chase sequences, also contributed significantly to player frustration. Some players also found the narrative unclear or the game's length tedious.
- Excitement (weight 0.08): Excitement was generated by the game's overall quality, thrilling and immersive horror experience, and effective scares. Players were excited by the prospect of new features, replay value, and the reimagining of a favorite horror game in Unreal Engine 5. The anticipation for the game and its ability to deliver a desired horror experience were also key factors.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players appreciated the game's unique story, psychological horror elements, and narrative depth. The improved graphics, combined content, and the game's darker, more painful feel were also highly valued. Specific mentions of top-notch voice acting, attention to detail, and the effective use of UE5 for visuals and lighting contributed to this appreciation.
- Admiration (weight 0.04): Admiration was expressed for the game's artistic and thematic depth, particularly the Painter's story, which many considered a masterpiece. The high quality of psychological horror, stunning visuals, and exceptional sound design were frequently cited as reasons for admiration. Players also praised the game's potential to become a classic and its hauntingly beautiful experience.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom arose from repetitive gameplay, slow pacing, and a perceived lack of tension, often describing the game as a 'walking simulator.' Uninspired content, similar scenery, and segments where 'nothing happened for hours' also contributed to players losing interest.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger was primarily directed at technical issues like crashes and lost progress, as well as poor game design choices that fundamentally altered the horror atmosphere. Some players expressed anger over perceived money extraction, misleading marketing, and changes to established lore or characters.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.02): Enjoyment stemmed from the overall game experience, including new stories and the presence of famous paintings. Players enjoyed exploring the game world, its stunning graphics, and the completeness of the story, even despite some flaws. The spooky ambiance and visual design were also significant contributors to enjoyment.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy was experienced through the game's changing environment, the overall positive game experience, and the act of rediscovering the game. Players expressed joy in the game's successful implementation of psychological horror through ideas, surrealism, and story, making it a memorable title.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance was caused by clunky controls, meaningless object interaction, and a frustrating collectible system. Minor technical glitches, puzzle bugs, and the addition of action elements with instant death mechanics also contributed to player irritation. Some found certain scenes too bright or new narrative elements jarring.
- Intrigue (weight 0.01): Intrigue was sparked by the game's original narrative, its exploration of madness and psychological torment, and its overall 'crazy' and unique elements. Players were drawn in by the story and themes, wanting to understand the deeper meanings.
- Neutrality (weight 0.01): Neutrality was expressed when players found the story predictable or the gameplay limited, leading to a factual description rather than strong emotional feedback. Some also questioned the necessity of the remake or had mixed feelings about the game's scariness.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arose from an unclear narrative structure, a lack of clarity in the story, and the feeling that content was mashed together without coherence. Specific elements like voice acting and the 'Writer's story' in Layers of Fear 2 were cited as sources of confusion.
- Mixed feelings (weight 0.01): Mixed feelings resulted from a combination of positive and negative aspects, such as good visuals and sound contrasted with frustrating gameplay or story issues. Players often felt conflicted about design decisions, changes from the original game, and problems within Layers of Fear 2, leading to an overall ambivalent re-release experience.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love was expressed as a strong affection for the game series as a whole, indicating a deep positive connection to the franchise.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement was driven by compelling gameplay, a bizarre and involving story, and interesting narratives with hidden meanings that encouraged player choice. Players felt drawn into the game's world and its unfolding events.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion was achieved through the game's strong atmosphere, seamless screen transitions, and improved graphics. Players felt deeply hooked and found themselves questioning what they had witnessed, indicating a profound sense of being drawn into the game's world.
- Neutral (weight 0.01): This emotion simply describes the game without expressing a strong positive or negative sentiment, often providing a factual overview.
- Nostalgia (weight 0): Nostalgia was a key emotion for players who had a fondness for the original game, experiencing a 'delicious feeling of nostalgia' upon playing the remake or revisiting the series.}