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Layers of Fear

One of the best horror games ever made, this will scare you in incredibly clever ways and make you question everything you see.
78%Game Brain Score
story, atmosphere
optimization, grinding
87% User Score Based on 18,600 reviews
Critic Score 73%Based on 81 reviews

Platforms

iPhoneiPhoneMac OSMac OSPCPCPhonePhonePlaystation 4Playstation 4Playstation 5Playstation 5Steam DeckSteam DeckWindowsWindowsXbox OneXbox OneXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SLinuxLinuxMobile PlatformMobile PlatformPlayStationPlayStationTabletTabletXboxXboxiPadiPad
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About

"Layers of Fear: Masterpiece Edition" is a single-player horror point-and-click game with an intriguing story and good mechanics, set in a visually stunning and atmospheric Victorian-era mansion. As an insane painter, you uncover the secret of your madness while exploring a constantly changing environment with a heavy focus on story and exploration. The game features stunning music, but some bugs and grinding may hinder the experience. Despite these flaws, the game delivers a wholesome and fear-inducing story.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Layers of Fear screenshot
Layers of Fear screenshot
Layers of Fear screenshot
Layers of Fear screenshot
Layers of Fear screenshot

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 18,681 reviews
story2.8k positive mentions
optimization79 negative mentions
  • The game features a hauntingly immersive atmosphere, enhanced by stunning visuals and a beautifully composed soundtrack that effectively complements the narrative.
  • The emotional depth of the story resonates strongly with players, exploring themes of madness and trauma, and often leading to a profound connection with the characters.
  • Character development is well-executed, with a unique presentation that adds depth to the protagonist's journey and enhances player engagement through environmental storytelling.
  • The gameplay is largely repetitive and lacks depth, often feeling like a walking simulator with minimal interactions and predictable jump scares.
  • Many players find the story predictable and unsatisfying, with a disappointing climax that leaves little sense of completion or closure.
  • The game suffers from optimization issues, with performance problems reported on lower-end systems, detracting from the overall experience.
  • story
    7,710 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Layers of Fear" is a psychological horror narrative centered around a painter's descent into madness, exploring themes of obsession, loss, and the impact of trauma on family dynamics. Players uncover the story through environmental storytelling, scattered notes, and flashbacks, piecing together the tragic past of the protagonist and his family as they navigate a hauntingly surreal mansion. While the narrative is engaging and atmospheric, some players find it predictable and feel that the gameplay can become repetitive, with the horror elements relying heavily on jump scares rather than deeper psychological tension.

    • “A fantastic game, engaging and tragic story.”
    • “Crazy, the story is really good; they tell the story of domestic life that must be mutually understood. What makes it cool here is the atmosphere that gives the player goosebumps at the same time amazed, especially the good music.”
    • “The story is truly moving and reminds us about some very important lessons life gives us again and again.”
    • “The little story that exists is revealed right from the beginning in very unsubtle ways and barely added onto throughout the game as most of what occurs is just the same thing over and over again.”
    • “The story, meant to be the game's main hook, didn't quite resonate with me.”
    • “The story is very much open to interpretation with a disappointing climax. You will finish this game without the satisfaction of finishing the game; there isn't really a sense of completion or closure to the story.”
  • atmosphere
    3,341 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Layers of Fear" is widely praised for its immersive and unsettling qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and psychological tension throughout the game. Players appreciate the game's use of sound design, lighting, and visual storytelling to enhance the eerie ambiance, although some criticize the reliance on jump scares that can disrupt the overall experience. Overall, the game is recognized as a standout in atmospheric horror, drawing players into a haunting narrative that lingers long after gameplay.

    • “The atmosphere is incredible and the story is very well written.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, sound effects and graphics (I wanted to take that frakkin' deer head and throw it into various fires) were spot on for creating that paranoid feeling that you were about to have the crap scared out of you.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and foreboding and the game still manages to achieve scares even when you know something is about to happen.”
    • “The game oscillates between open-every-drawer walking simulator and jump-scare ghost train ride (but the cheap kind that you have to walk through yourself) and every time it manages to build a little atmosphere, it is soon smashed to bits by over-acted and anachronistic voice acting.”
    • “The original idea for a game with a spooky atmosphere, but with poor execution.”
    • “The atmosphere that it had was truly scary and breathtaking and nerve-wracking as it is, traversing the creepy corridors, watching paintings melt and change, rooms changing, being trapped, doors leading to nowhere, feeling like you are in an endless loop and labyrinth without an idea where the right path is.”
  • graphics
    3,223 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Layers of Fear" receive widespread acclaim for their stunning detail and artistic style, effectively creating an immersive and eerie atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to blend beautiful visuals with psychological horror elements, although some note issues with graphical optimization and repetitive asset use. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's unsettling experience.

    • “The graphics are stunning and the atmosphere (sounds and music included) suck you in.”
    • “The visuals are absolutely stunning, and I definitely found myself engaged in the game at first.”
    • “Layers of fear is a graphical work of art, but it disappoints in the horror aspect.”
    • “The graphics might not be at the level of modern games, but they likely contribute to the game's eerie atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are detailed and realistic, though assets like paintings and furniture are reused frequently.”
    • “The graphics are pleasing to look at, and the soundscape is acceptable.”
  • gameplay
    2,177 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Layers of Fear" is primarily characterized as a walking simulator, with players navigating through a series of rooms and engaging in minimal interactions, such as opening doors and solving simple puzzles. While the game excels in creating a haunting atmosphere and features innovative mechanics that alter the environment, many players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, often relying on predictable jump scares rather than meaningful engagement. Overall, it appeals to those who prioritize narrative and atmosphere over traditional gameplay complexity.

    • “The walking mechanics, visuals, and sound effects were well-done, contributing to a solid atmosphere.”
    • “While the story itself is fragmented and open to interpretation, the environmental storytelling is masterfully woven into the gameplay, encouraging exploration and rewarding attentive players with deeper understanding.”
    • “With stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes, Layers of Fear sets a new standard for the genre, offering innovative gameplay mechanics and multiple endings that encourage replayability.”
    • “The gameplay mostly consists of walking from room to room, making it feel like a walking simulator.”
    • “Main issue with this game is that there is basically no gameplay and it's not scary, I wasn't tense at all and the jump scares are weak.”
    • “The gameplay extends no further than moving and interacting with stationary objects in your surrounding and simple platforming puzzles or pathfinding riddles.”
  • music
    1,644 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Layers of Fear" has been widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, significantly enhancing the game's eerie ambiance and emotional depth. Many players noted that the soundtrack, composed by Arkadiusz Reikowski, effectively complements the unsettling visuals and narrative, creating a deeply immersive experience. While some found the music repetitive or overly reliant on typical horror tropes, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature that elevates the game's psychological horror elements.

    • “Genuinely one of the most beautiful games I've ever played, the mind twists, the music, the scenery, all creatively done.”
    • “The soundtrack is darkly atmospheric and the game sound design in general is delicately tailored to enhance the insanity of the experience.”
    • “The music is beautifully composed and fittingly haunting, combined with the superb visual design - the atmosphere of this game is terrific.”
    • “There are at least three points in the game where the sound/music really started to grate on my nerves and I had to mute my PC just to shut it up until I could advance the story.”
    • “The music offers anxiety, such that there is no need to exalt silence and sudden noises.”
    • “The horror elements rely too much on jump scares and creepy music.”
  • replayability
    370 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is primarily driven by its multiple endings and hidden collectibles, which encourage players to explore different paths and interactions. However, many reviewers noted that the experience can become repetitive and predictable after the first playthrough, leading to mixed feelings about returning to the game. Overall, while there is some replay value, particularly for achievement hunters or those interested in uncovering all story details, it may not be compelling enough for everyone to revisit frequently.

    • “The three possible endings leave the game open to a great deal of replayability, and provide a great deal more emotional depth, with the real challenge being left open for players being brave enough to try to figure the game out without walkthroughs.”
    • “With stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes, Layers of Fear sets a new standard for the genre, offering innovative gameplay mechanics and multiple endings that encourage replayability.”
    • “The game is short but there are a lot of things to find; if you don't investigate you'll miss out on stuff; the game registers every move you make and depending on your actions you'll get different endings, which gives the game a nice replayability.”
    • “There's not really any replay value besides getting different endings (if you're wondering, apparently you have to do specific actions and deliberately pick up certain objects while skipping others) which I could just find on YouTube, so I most likely won't come back to this.”
    • “It stubbornly aspires to be replayable — it's full of hidden collectibles and has multiple endings — but once you know exactly where the scares are and what triggers them, the magic is gone; replaying can actually spoil the experience a bit by demystifying it.”
    • “The game has basically no replay value once you are done with the main game and DLC; there is nothing more.”
  • emotional
    251 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is a significant highlight, with many players expressing that it evokes a wide range of feelings, from deep sadness to anxiety and fear. The story, centered on themes of madness and personal trauma, resonates strongly, often leading players to tears and a profound sense of connection to the characters. While some critiques mention a lack of emotional depth in voice acting and narrative structure, the overall consensus is that the game successfully delivers a haunting and immersive emotional experience, enhanced by its artistic design and sound.

    • “But if you’re after a haunting, visually stunning, and emotionally heavy journey, this game delivers in spades.”
    • “As you unravel the true nature of the artist and understand the story behind current events, the reality of what has happened is horrific and heartbreaking.”
    • “The experience of this game stayed with me for a long time afterwards with the type of lasting emotional profundity that is truly rare with modern titles.”
    • “Boring story, not scary at all.”
    • “It's just one boring door opening simulator with boring jumpscares, boring story and boring gameplay.”
    • “- has a shallow and boring story”
  • optimization
    238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing performance issues such as stuttering and frame drops, even on high-end systems. While some users noted that the game runs well with few bugs, others criticized it for being poorly optimized, particularly for lower-end PCs and certain graphics settings. Overall, the game's visual fidelity is praised, but the optimization problems detract from the experience, suggesting that further patches may be needed to improve performance.

    • “The game runs pretty well without any performance hiccups and I didn't encounter any bugs or glitches.”
    • “Practically perfect performance with some of the best effects I have ever seen made on Unity3D.”
    • “The performance of the game is outstanding, and it has given me renewed hope in Unity-based horror games.”
    • “It's a Unity game, so... be prepared for optimization issues.”
    • “The only part I don't like is that it is a bit badly optimized for lower-end PC users (like me) who do not have a GTX 1080 or something of that sort installed on their machine.”
    • “Unfortunately, it is poorly optimized and will not run at >30fps on my PC.”
  • humor
    216 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is largely unintentional, with many players finding the frequent jump scares and absurd scenarios more amusing than frightening. Repetitive tropes and poorly executed scares lead to moments that evoke laughter rather than terror, creating a unique blend of horror and comedy. Overall, while the game attempts to deliver a chilling experience, it often results in hilarity, making it a source of entertainment for those who enjoy laughing at its shortcomings.

    • “By the end, I was laughing or getting mad at every new jumpscare that came along as each one got more ridiculous than the last.”
    • “I can't tell you how many times I ended up laughing instead of being frightened.”
    • “This game is absolutely hilarious!”
  • grinding
    189 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that the search for collectibles and achievements detracts from the overall experience. While some enjoy the atmosphere and story, the gameplay often devolves into a monotonous cycle of opening drawers and solving simple puzzles, leading to frustration and boredom, especially towards the end. Overall, players suggest that the game could benefit from a more engaging structure to alleviate the grind.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game itself does not generate much playtime (maybe 4 hours? if you do all the endings) from there on it's grinding for collectibles/achievements.”
    • “I found the last segment (the sixth) really frustrating, because ending such a captivating game with a tedious treasure hunt, even for small objects, does not seem worthy to me.”
    • “By the end of the game, you are frustrated from solving the most boring and painfully tedious puzzles while finding small objects in dark rooms, meanwhile the camera just keeps turning on its own.”
  • stability
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a smooth experience free of bugs or glitches, while others encountered significant issues such as freezing, camera glitches, and problems with achievements. Many noted that while the game runs well on lower-spec machines, it still has a few minor bugs that can disrupt gameplay. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary widely among players, with some experiencing a polished experience and others facing frustrating technical problems.

    • “For a Unity game, the graphics are better than expected and it runs smoothly with no glitches, crashes, or any other issues worth mentioning.”
    • “Did two playthroughs, no glitches or bugs to report at all; it was a fulfilling and rewarding experience, and the soundtrack and scenery are beautiful!”
    • “Although it is still in early access, it runs great even on lower spec machines.”
    • “It's ultra buggy and has too many jumpscares.”
    • “Well written, well directed and with a great art style...sadly let down by one of the poorest optimisation/buggy engines I've seen in a game for quite a few years.”
    • “It needs completely revamped because it's that bad and buggy.”
  • character development
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and unique presentation, particularly through the protagonist's journey and the use of art, notes, and environmental storytelling. While some reviewers note that it may not significantly impact the plot, the emotional complexity and transformation of characters, such as Dorian, are highlighted as strong points. Comparisons to other games suggest that longer narratives can provide even richer character development, but "Layers of Fear" stands out for its effective use of detail to enhance player engagement.

    • “It has great character development and a very unique way (yet simple) to present its main protagonist, who happens to be a crippled man.”
    • “Good psychological terror, nice character development story using art as a concept.”
    • “There is so much depth and character development within that book as we watch Dorian transform from this handsome, polite individual into an unnerving monster.”
    • “It's not artsy or anything to not leave room for character development.”
    • “It's just not complete; for example, look at Silent Hill 2 or Cat Lady. Those games are longer, therefore they can show more. More character development brings more sympathy for the characters, more complexity and depth.”
    • “There is more character development in the details of 'Layers of Fear' than in most games out there.”
  • monetization
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that it relies heavily on repetitive busywork and minimal rewards. Many reviewers liken it to a poorly executed walking simulator, where the lack of meaningful interaction and immersion detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a shameless advertisement than a cohesive game.

    • “Yet another Unity engine asset flip cash grab.”
    • “Shameless advertisement, I know.”
    • “What you get instead of immersion is the equivalent of those cheesy horror ads that try way too hard to keep your attention.”

73%Critics’ scoreBased on 92 critic reviews

Buy Layers of Fear

4h Median play time
5h Average play time
3h Main story
11h Completionist
3-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 108 analyzed playthroughs

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