A Look Back at Horror Reimagined: LAYERS OF FEAR (2023)
Release Date: June 15, 2023
Developers: Bloober Team
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
Price: $29.99
The 2023 version of Layers of Fear is a fascinating case study in what a "reimagining" can and should be. It’s not just a simple remaster, but a comprehensive, and at times brilliant, compilation that brings together the stories of Layers of Fear (2016), its sequel, and all associated DLC. The result is a cohesive and visually stunning experience that, while not without its flaws, serves as a powerful testament to the artistry of its developer, Bloober Team.
Bloober Team has established a distinct identity in the horror genre, moving beyond jump scares to craft a brand of psychological terror that truly gets under your skin. They specialize in "walking simulator" horror, a term some use derisively, but which is, in fact, the core of their genius. Instead of relying on combat or survival mechanics, they build their games on a foundation of shifting, impossible environments and deep, personal narratives. They understand that true horror often comes from a place of emotional and psychological decay, and they are masterful at channeling this into a disorienting, visceral experience. Their work on titles like Observer and The Medium has consistently demonstrated this approach, and Layers of Fear (2023) is arguably their crowning achievement in this regard, and since we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing just about every game Bloober Team has developed here at The Gamers Lounge, we wanted to look back at the reimagining of the game that started it all.
The most immediate and impactful change in 2023’s Layers of Fear is its move to Unreal Engine 5. The original game, while visually striking for its time, pales in comparison to the 2023 edition - which is saying something seeing as it still holds up to this day a whopping nine years later. The use of advanced lighting technologies like Lumen makes the decaying mansion of the Painter and the claustrophobic cruise ship of the Actor feel more tangible and terrifying than ever before as every flickering candle, every burst of moonlight through a windowpane, and every warped reflection in a mirror serves to build an atmosphere of dread that is both beautiful and deeply unsettling. The game's graphical fidelity elevates its core concept—a descent into madness—to a whole new level. Another incredible aspect of this is, while not necessarily pertaining to the game itself, that Bloober Team’s prowess as a developer has only evolved over time, with each new iteration of a Bloober title coming to life more than before as their talents continue to reach new heights.
Keeping its 2016 origins to the side for a moment, as a standalone product, the 2023 version is a complete anthology that stands on its own. The addition of the "Writer's Story," a new framing narrative set in a desolate lighthouse, effectively ties the disparate tales of the Painter, the Actor, and their families together. This new content recontextualizes the original games, transforming them from individual stories of obsession into a larger, interconnected saga of art and trauma. This makes the game a perfect entry point for newcomers, who get a full, coherent narrative of what makes Layers of Fear so intriguing right from the start.
However, the comparison to the original is where things get interesting for veteran players. While the visuals and new content are excellent, some of the specific scares and set pieces from the 2016 game have been altered or removed. Admittedly, some fans may find the remake's horror to be less creative or impactful in certain sections, as it occasionally leans on more conventional "stalker" enemies - something I feel has been a bit oversaturated over the last few years in the horror genre to appeal to the increased viewership of horror streamers and content on YouTube for a quick laugh. To top it off, the new lantern mechanic, which adds a minimal combat element, is a notable but somewhat uninspired addition. While it’s not inherently a deal breaker or takes away from the experience, it can sometimes feel a bit forced or unnecessary in telling the story within Layers of Fear. While I feel this was also done to add some more depth to the gameplay as well, I do believe that it actually retracts from the tension rather than enhancing it, instead building frustrations where there would otherwise be immersion.
Despite these changes, however, the core of the original experience—the mind-bending environmental shifts and unsettling psychological themes—remains intact and is often improved by the stunning graphical overhaul. The new "Final Note" DLC, which provides an alternate perspective from the Painter's wife, is a particularly strong addition that enriches the original narrative in a compelling way.
Overall, Layers of Fear (2023) is a brilliant package that showcases Bloober Team’s prowess in the psychological horror space. It's an anthology that respects its source material while breathing new life into it through a masterful visual and narrative upgrade. While a few of the changes might be debated by purists (including myself), it's undeniably the definitive way to experience the series, and I’m immensely thrilled that we have what is effectively a compilation reimagining at titles that, quite frankly, gave new perspective to the word horror while pushing the medium forward.
