Layers of Fear 2 review Heavy on references and old-style scares, this sequel lacks its own horror identity. Why do you like being scared, or do you not like scares at all? When I was first told that I would be playing and reviewing a psychological horror game I wasn’t that worried or scared. Layers of Fear is available for PC VR on Steam and the Oculus Store for $19.99. Be that for the photo-realistic house of horrors Bloober had lovingly crafted. By Robert Zak 24 May 2019 Comments What Layers of Fear 2 does do well is build atmosphere and an ever-escalating sense of dread. Layers of Fear 2 also has more traditional scares than the original. Amazing. Unfortunately, you cannot revisit a previous acts of the story, so you’d have to do a New Game+ run and likely know what you’re looking for ahead of time to ensure you get a different ending. A couple play with the shifting environments, requiring you to make certain movements to reveal doors or safe pathways to avoid the monster. Players control a Hollywood actor who heeds the call of an enigmatic director to take on the lead role in a film shot aboard an ocean liner. A door that you just walked through may be gone when you turn around, revealing a new corridor in its place. Keeping with the film theme, creepy mannequins are scattered throughout the ship as if they are acting out scenes. Sometimes their appendages move as you inch closer. LAYERS OF FEAR 2 is a survival horror game intended for mature audiences. Thank you for your support. Scary sequel explores the after-effects of trauma, abuse. Why do you think audiences like being scared? All of this high praise makes Layers of Fear 2 a marvelously designed game in some respects, but it fails to make it a scary one. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. The more doors you open and clues you find, the stranger things get. 9. With unique puzzles and expert pacing, Layers of Fear 2 is a harrowing and consistently exciting endeavor. Keeping with the film theme, creepy mannequins are scattered throughout the ship as if they are acting out scenes. This review was conducted on the Steam version of the game via Oculus Link using an Oculus Quest. Finding a hidden gem that manages to surprise and scare is a guilty pleasure. Rating: 4.5 out of 10. Layers of Fear 2 Review. Layers of Fear 2 Review | Sunken ship. Back in 2016, I stumbled upon just such a game, Bloober Team’s, Layers of Fear — A game that felt as if the player themselves were having a mental breakdown into absurd … We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. Whereas the first game was more like a horror museum, leaving players safe virtually from start to finish, Layers of Fear 2 plays more like a haunted house attraction one may find around Halloween season. But unlike the original’s story, which ironically lacked layers, the sequel has more moving parts to decipher, each of which excites and enlightens. The Layers of Fear 2 presentation also serves the game's main focus well. Projector puzzles reveal doors and windows after carefully sifting through the frames. There’s also the mystery of the crew and passengers who once occupied the vessel. It was around four hours long and the scares came so thick and fast, even that short play time began to wear out its welcome… The star rating reflects overall quality and learning potential. Players will shoot at human or humanoid-like creatures, and players will be chased by a demon-like creature at certain moments. And then there’s the tale of you, the actor, who somehow wound up on this ship for this strange role. You would think these scares would get predictable, but the timing and sparing use of them keeps it fresh all the way until the end. Your room also changes to fit the character that you’re becoming in real time. Layers of Fear 2 Review – Ready, Set, Horror. There are scenes with mutilated mannequins and splashes of blood, implying violence. Picking up objects such as a monocular or empty cans of food cues interesting audio logs of the siblings’ own experiences that took place there. Join now. One of the best parts of the game is the puzzles. There’s usually only one place to go to advance the story, but I still felt like I was exploring a much more open space thanks to its shifting architecture. Families can talk about why the horror genre exists. Browse titles with similar subject matter. Though these moments work well thematically, it seems easy to miss the actual, subtle moments that trigger alternate endings. 2019-07-07. The sound effects complement the shifting environments as they often unfold in tandem, upping the atmospheric horror to another level. We provide the latest gaming news, gaming reviews, and trailers for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC. August 09, 2019 Justin Celani 0 . Layers of Fear 2 is a rare example of genuine fear in the horror game genre. Synopsis. Other passages lead to entirely new environments outside of the ship, such as floating skyscrapers, ominous gardens, and labyrinths. Comment. Short yet spooky adventure in dark psychological landscape. Layers of Fear 2 is a first-person, psychological thriller, horror video game with an emphasis on exploration and story. Parents: Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. Pc, PlayStation 4, Xbox One. Coupled with Lily’s doleful lyrical poetry and the earnest performance of her younger brother, Layers of Fear 2 has some of the sharpest writing I’ve seen – not just in horror games, but across all genres. As you progress through the five acts, global changes begin to ripple throughout the entire ship. Your Score 0 Summary: Layers of Fear 2 is a first-person psychological horror game with an emphasis on exploration and story. Unique horror focuses on mental illness, disturbing imagery. I think that layers of fear 2 is great. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. 2019 Under Article , Reviews Rare use of  "bulls--t," g-ddamn," "bastards," and "f--k.". REVIEW: ‘Layers of Fear 2’ is a Chilling Sequel, but Only in Name (PS4) 06/04/2019 12/14/2020 - by Quinn. Layers of Fear 2 Game Review. It feels familiar enough to the original, but with enough changes to make it better and unique. Yet Layers of Fear also made an impression for its occasionally disappointing nature. The prospect of being chased keeps tension high, dream sequences provide much-needed weirdness, and the gravelly narration by Tony Todd (of Candyman fame) is sure to get horror fans' hearts racing. Header art by Redline XIII. Layers of Fear 2, the latest game by Bloober Team and the sequel to Layers of Fear, is another first-person horror-themed walking simulator that takes cues from P.T. I really enjoyed the first game, and I adore Observer and think it was one of the best games of 2017. Disclosures: This game is developed by Bloober Team and published by Gun Media. “Layers of Fear 2 is a brief, electric bolt of terror, a game that begs to be played in the dark and on the biggest screen possible and with a pair of sound-canceling headphones.” 4/5 – Bloody Disgusting Can you name things that happened to you in the past that made you who you are today? We won't share this comment without your permission. How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives, Get fun, free Holiday Gratitude activities from Wide Open School, Online Playdates, Game Nights, and Other Ways to Socialize at a Distance, Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning, Excellent, Powerful, and Inventive if not particularly scary first-person adventure, 10 Most Violent Video Games of 2014 (and What to Play Instead), Games That Support Kindness and Compassion. As psychological, exploratory thriller, Layers of Fear 2 is the utter opposite. Share Tweet Pin It Share. Layers of Fear 2 doesn't have many scares to offer, but visual panache and a multitude of classic film homages make for an extraordinary adventure—for the right person. Each area has a remarkable attention to detail, which makes the illusions all the more stunning. The ocean liner is more of a central hub than a confining setting, and visiting other locations keeps it from becoming too familiar. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). One of the main storylines follows Lily and James, siblings who pretended to be pirates on the ship. Your privacy is important to us. On multiple occasions, I loaded the most recent checkpoint to listen to the words again to try and fully absorb their meaning. Sound is equally as important as sight in producing effective horror, and Layers of Fear 2 uses it masterfully. See our. Long-locked doors you’ve passed by several times now open, revealing entire new sections of the vessel. Early 1900s-style films play at the end of each act and a chalkboard marks your progress in your room similar to the painting in the original. Most of the gameplay involves creeping slowly around in dark, atmospheric rooms (both real and surreal settings) and solving occasional logic puzzles. Read Common Sense Media's Layers of Fear review, age rating, and parents guide. my opinion of the its just mine of course. Reading Time: 3 minutes. Having been hired to star in the film, players will explore the ship looking for clues to the rest of the crew's whereabouts in the form of telegrams, audio recordings, and film reels. 6 3 0. This survival-horror sequel does a fairly good job of walking the tightrope of familiarity and innovation, but lacking the surprise of its predecessor, could feel like “too much of the same.” There's something inherently spooky in Layers of Fear 2 about cruise ships, especially the Art Deco ships of the 1930's, and the claustrophobic hallways, moody lighting, and cage-style elevators set the stage for horror. Dialogue contains occasional profanity in the form of words like “bulls--t,” “g-ddamn,” bastards,” and “f--k." Players are exposed to disturbing voice over between an abusive father and his young son, and implied violence pervades the storyline. Psychological thriller raises goose bumps, unique scares. What to Watch, Read, and Play While Your Kids Are Stuck Indoors, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews, Practicando la gratitud durante las fiestas, Which Side of History? Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. Fragmented cutscenes, areas, and objects that occupy these spaces come together to form a whole, filling the shrouded frames of the film reel. More action-oriented sequences have you avoid a spotlight or duck behind set pieces as raging flames fill the screen. Lighting effects further exacerbate the horrors that appear both while staring directly at them and when looking away for just a moment. We're updating our reviews to better highlight authentic stories and accurate, diverse representations. In first game, you are a painter with psychological issues exploring a house which transforms into a nightmarish landscape. All rights reserved. Parents need to know that Layers of Fear 2 is a downloadable survival horror game for Windows PCs. Layers of Fear 2 Review: A Terrifying Journey into the Subconscious. The pristine corridors you walk through in one act can turn unkempt and decrepit in later sections. The story is the hook. Without spoiling anything, let's just say it involves a specific kind of disaster and the workings of a highly dysfunctional family. Layers of Fear 2 instead goes for the instant gratification of the shock scare right off the bat, rather than the slow, growing sense of unease and dread that can snowball over time. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. Suggest an update to this review. Though certainly story-driven, Layers of Fear 2 has some seriously splendid puzzles that often help inform the events of the story. The game is a sequel to 2016's Layers of Fear, and casts players as a mentally disturbed actor suffering post-traumatic stress as a result of childhood abuse. Add to that the prevalence of darkness, things jumping out from the dark, scary, sometimes moving mannequins, and sprays of blood, and this is not a game for younger kids.) Searching for streaming and purchasing options ... Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Along the way, they'll uncover mysterious items, trigger memories, and unleash a monstrous evil. The changing environments and story can result in multiple endings, which can encourage multiple playthroughs. Clues to your outer and inner lives pop up in the form of messages from your agent and notes to yourself. Version Reviewed: PS4 Pro / European. That’s perhaps the greatest strength of the story: its prowess for making me believe, if even for a moment, that the crazy words coming from the void are the stuff of genius. On a moment-to-moment basis, I never knew what to expect. Steeped in such madness, it’s no surprise that a significant portion of the dialogue borders on the nonsensical. yourmomjokes69378,776. I had really high hopes of Layers of Fear 2. Parents need to know that Layers of Fear 2 is a downloadable survival horror game for Windows PCs. A subtle head turn, an outstretched arm, a full body movement. The tale and structure of Layers of Fear 2 though is far too reminiscent of the original.. Given the dramatic improvement in >observer_, I approached Layers of Fear 2 with the cautious optimism that Bloober Team would take the lessons learned from their second game rather than revisiting the template of their first.. Alas, the sequel is in every way another Layers of Fear game. Layers of Fear 2 is the awaited sequel to Bloober Team’s first game: Layers of Fear. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. Posted By Billy Givens | On 29th, May. Layers of Fear 2 sees you summoned to the ship because you are auditioning or filming for a big part in a movie. Or the wackiest hallucination scenes -- possibly -- ever seen in gaming. Some suggested nudity and partial nudity of mannequins shown. Fans of the first game will anticipate the jump scares fairly easily, and that lowers their impact. Blackgame is a gaming news site. The Bottom Line on Layers of Fear 2. It is currently available on PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One. Even though the spoken and written story excels, the brunt of Layers of Fear 2’s magic lies in the environments you explore. Layers of Fear 2 uses the strongest elements of interactive story telling to immerse you in a horrifying experience - atmosphere and playing with perspective. Some of these scenes, the ones that I seemingly stumbled into by accident, made my jaw drop in awe. © Common Sense Media. Layers of Fear 2's cryptic story is filled with film references and well-earned scares, making it the perfect digestible game for any horror buff. Wondering if Layers of Fear 2 is OK for your kids? Trading surrealist art for classic film, Layers of Fear 2 places you in the role of an actor on an ocean liner. Layers of Fear 2 Review. These, along with references to classic horror movies and the use of all-too-adult themes regarding blame, regret, guilt, and shame make this a memorable psychological horror adventure that's well worth the experience. The majority of the frights rely on these changes, which made me feel as if the floor beneath me, the walls that boxed me in, and the decorations that brought it all to life were nothing but facades crafted by the devious director to mess with me. ’ re becoming in real time send a chill down your spine the horror... 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