Layers of Fear 2

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 866 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • atmosphere
Layers of Fear 2 Game Cover
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In "Layers of Fear 2," you step into the shoes of an actor, haunted by your past and unsure of your role on a mysterious, seemingly abandoned cruise ship. With a script full of missing words and a setting that twists and contorts around you, you must navigate through your own fears and memories to uncover the truth. The game is a psychological horror that explores the human mind and its deepest, darkest secrets.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Epic Games
  • Gog Com
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 866 reviews
story177 positive mentions
grinding13 negative mentions
  • Stunning graphics and art direction that create a captivating atmosphere.
  • Engaging story with multiple endings that encourages replayability.
  • Strong voice acting, particularly from Tony Todd, enhances the overall experience.
  • Confusing narrative that can be hard to follow, leaving players unsure of the plot.
  • Chase sequences can feel frustrating and detract from the immersive experience.
  • Less effective horror elements compared to the first game, relying more on jump scares.
  • story721 mentions

    The story in "Layers of Fear 2" is a complex and often confusing narrative that explores themes of identity, ambition, and the psychological struggles of its protagonist, an actor aboard a haunted ship. While some players appreciate the atmospheric and symbolic storytelling, many find the plot disjointed and difficult to follow, with a reliance on environmental storytelling and collectibles that can detract from engagement. Overall, the narrative is seen as less compelling than its predecessor, with mixed opinions on its depth and execution.

    • “While it follows a similar formula of exploration and environmental storytelling, it introduces fresh themes of identity, control, and fear of the unknown.”
    • “Through scattered notes, cryptic dialogues, and symbolic imagery, the player pieces together the tragic story of the entity and the manipulative director.”
    • “The story delves into themes of ambition, obsession, and the destructive nature of artistic passion.”
    • “The plot unravels pretty quickly and just feels like it's throwing random sh!”
    • “Gameplay's boring, story's predictable and can be figured out halfway through chapter 1, and it's not very involving as well: you can barely relate to the main character, or empathize with them at all.”
    • “The story is a convoluted mess.”
  • graphics245 mentions

    The graphics in "Layers of Fear 2" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, detailed environments, and effective use of lighting, significantly improving upon the first game. Players appreciate the haunting aesthetic and artistic design, which contribute to the game's eerie atmosphere, although some criticize the frequent transitions to black-and-white visuals that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's graphics are considered its strongest aspect, showcasing impressive artistry and attention to detail.

    • “The graphics and sound design are great; a ship is a fantastic setting for a story that I wish more people would utilize, and the game has some very unique imagery in places.”
    • “The visuals are simply astonishing.”
    • “Layers of Fear 2 takes you on a story-driven journey with some solid horror elements, through a variety of environments supported by beautiful graphics, a haunting soundtrack, all backed by excellent narration.”
    • “A graphics setting that stresses my eyes and causes me headaches within a short time.”
    • “As things progressed, the acts all were just poorly realized, and the graphics were just a mess, which was intentional.”
    • “They never let a single graphical theme breathe much at all, constantly switching from desaturated to saturated, and then throwing filters over the POV constantly.”
  • atmosphere167 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Layers of Fear 2" is widely praised for its unsettling and immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the game's dark, oppressive environments, exceptional sound design, and striking visual aesthetics. While some players feel it lacks the same level of dread and emotional depth as its predecessor, the game still effectively creates a tense and creepy ambiance that keeps players on edge, despite occasional reliance on predictable jump scares. Overall, the atmospheric elements are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's psychological horror experience.

    • “The ship’s design, combined with cinematic lighting and brilliant sound design, creates a tense atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere really shines through spectacularly and strange scenes and eerie happenings await you at almost every turn of a corridor or room—causing unease as you walk about the ship.”
    • “The atmosphere is absolutely stunning as usual, very dark and oppressive.”
    • “Sadly, it doesn't have the same atmosphere as the first part.”
    • “There is no atmosphere with this game compared to the first.”
    • “The atmosphere here is lacking the dread that helps to build suspense.”
  • gameplay159 mentions

    The gameplay of "Layers of Fear 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its reliance on repetitive mechanics, such as chase sequences and basic puzzles, which can detract from the overall experience. While the game features improved graphics and a strong narrative, it often feels more like a walking simulator with limited interactivity, leading to a lack of engagement for some players. Despite its atmospheric strengths, the gameplay mechanics are seen as inconsistent and at times frustrating, making it less innovative compared to its predecessor.

    • “While it retains the core elements of its predecessor, 'Layers of Fear 2' carves its own path with a distinct visual style, a more varied gameplay experience, and a story steeped in cinematic influences.”
    • “The core gameplay loop involves navigating the ship, collecting film reels that unlock memories, and solving environmental puzzles to uncover the truth behind the entity's predicament.”
    • “It had all of the elements, visually, psychologically, thematically, and gameplay-wise, that I wanted in a horror experience.”
    • “I died several times simply because of how poorly the rotation mechanics were implemented.”
    • “The chase sequences, while initially intense, can start to feel repetitive after a while, as they don’t offer much variety and become predictable.”
    • “The obnoxious gameplay and cheap attempt at 'scares' through loud noises and forced chases just make this one way more annoying than it's worth investing time in.”
  • music95 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth, particularly in moments of tension and horror. While some players found the soundtrack to be haunting and beautifully composed, others criticized it for being monotonous or sparse, leading to moments that felt empty or lacking in suspense. Overall, the sound design and music are generally regarded as strong elements, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “This incredible immersive experience feels like an interactive haunted house with fantastic ambience, music, voice acting, and effects.”
    • “The music was a mixture of calming and haunting, which I thought fit the atmosphere of the game pretty well.”
    • “The live orchestration soundtrack accentuates all of these locations beautifully, with the main recurring song being reminiscent of Silent Hill 2.”
    • “I couldn't feel the mystery of the first game in the second game; the music in this game was monotonous to me, and it was not very good for me.”
    • “Little to no music, nearly everything is in black and white, and the atmosphere is lazily stapled together last-minute.”
    • “A huge part of the game also lacks any music; silence is good for a while, but after some time, it just feels empty, not scary or foreboding.”
  • emotional23 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its deep, nuanced storytelling and well-developed characters that evoke strong feelings, while others criticize it for lacking emotional engagement and coherence compared to its predecessor. Many highlight the game's atmospheric design and sound, which enhance the emotional experience, but some feel that the pacing and certain gameplay mechanics detract from the overall impact. Overall, the emotional depth varies significantly among players, with some finding it profoundly moving and others feeling disconnected.

    • “Lof1 had fantastic art, an emotional story with well-developed and nuanced characters you care about, amazing sound design and some really neat tricks that simulate the feeling of actually losing your mind.”
    • “It had this achingly beautiful emotional and atmospheric core that informed everything from the sound design to the character development, and it pulls you in and drags you along in the best way.”
    • “This heartbreaking story is even better than the first one; those developers really know how to do horror games and narrate artistically through amazing storytelling.”
    • “Puzzles that serve no purpose, a boring story, and I found myself just rushing through it to get to a scare. When I finally did, it wasn't even really a 'scare.'”
    • “It's bogged down by some needless monster mechanics, loading screens, relatively boring storytelling, and death.”
  • optimization17 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while some players report excellent performance with no stuttering or framerate drops, others have encountered optimization issues. Despite these discrepancies, many agree that the game runs well and features improved graphics and gameplay mechanics compared to its predecessor.

    • “It plays with ideas of performance, identity, and control in a way that feels fresh and engaging.”
    • “The game is nicely optimized!”
    • “As I haven’t played the first game, I cannot compare the two, but I can say that Layers of Fear 2 is pretty well-optimized, at least from my own experience.”
    • “Still some optimization issues.”
    • “Poorly optimized :(”
    • “[*][h1]Performance :[/h1] I saw some people posting on Steam and Reddit wondering if Layers of Fear 2 would have the same optimization problems it did as the first game.”
  • replayability15 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed among users. While some appreciate the inclusion of a new game+ mode and the ability to make different choices for varied outcomes, others find the linear structure and limited endings result in minimal replay value. Players interested in achievements or collecting items may find more incentive to replay, but many agree that the game can be completed in a short time without significant motivation to return.

    • “This game, with the added new game+ option, adds tons of replayability.”
    • “There is replay value because there is a new game+ mode, allowing you to find missing collectibles and make different choices from your first playthrough.”
    • “Since choices can be made near the end of each chapter, there is a good amount of replayability for those who wish to experience every possible outcome.”
    • “But 16 euros for a roughly 4-hour game with little replay value (2 other endings) is a bit much in my opinion.”
    • “Unless you are ending and achievement hunting, this game lacks replay value and can be finished well within 10 hours.”
    • “Is about 6 hours long and very linear, would not say there is a ton of replay value, but for the experience, pick this up if it is on sale.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and lacking in engagement, with many describing the experience as clumsy and boring. The repetitive nature of wandering through environments and the lack of a compelling story contribute to a sense of frustration, although some acknowledge moments of tension. While there are opportunities for replayability, the effort required to collect missing items or explore different endings is often viewed as more tedious than rewarding.

    • “There was no real intrigue to the story, and I found it tedious rather than gripping to walk my way through this game's many winding hallways.”
    • “You may replay the game later on to collect the missing items, but it looks tedious as you will wander through the various acts.”
    • “The story did not interest me and I found it mostly tedious and bland.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The stability of the game appears to be inconsistent among players; while some report experiencing frequent freezes, bugs, and glitches that hinder gameplay, others have had a smooth experience with no issues, maintaining high framerates and flawless performance. Overall, user experiences vary significantly, highlighting a divide between those facing technical problems and those enjoying a stable game.

    • “Runs great”
    • “The game maintains a smooth performance without any crashes.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is, even during intense moments.”
    • “Game freezes in the room where you watch the film.”
    • “Some of the mazes, chases, and puzzles were just buggy, and I ended up getting stuck constantly due to a bunch of jank.”
    • “Too many glitches.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is derived from its amusing puzzles and the predictability of its scares, which often leads to more laughter than fear. Players find the chase sequences unintentionally funny due to their silliness, and while the voice acting can be hit or miss, it occasionally adds to the comedic experience. Overall, the humor tends to overshadow the intended horror elements.

    • “It was funny to play in different movies.”
    • “Funny puzzles.”
    • “Questionable but sometimes interesting/funny voice acting.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is described as emotionally impactful, with a strong atmospheric core that enhances the experience. While initial dialogue lacks depth, significant character growth occurs in the later stages, allowing players to connect with the protagonists' trauma and emotional journey. However, some reviewers noted that the main character may not be as compelling as expected.

    • “It had this achingly beautiful emotional and atmospheric core that informed everything from the sound design to the character development, and it pulls you in and drags you along in the best way.”
    • “Most collectibles are accompanied by voiceovers which offer context, much like the first game - but it isn't until act 3 (my guess is about 3/4 through the game) that the dialogue gives any character development or interest to entice the player to care.”
    • “The story takes you through character development in such a way that you find yourself going through stages of grief and being concerned for them and how much trauma they have experienced.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

7hMedian play time
27hAverage play time
4-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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