AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
Layers of fear ps48/3/2023 ![]() ![]() The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. on drugs? I can appreciate and applaud that they’ve done a lot visually but its ultimately a hand that’s overplayed. Take reviewers tilt strongly into account on this one. Its reviewing relatively well and I seem like I’m in the minority here but it just doesn’t strike the chords it needs to. Although, if you liked what you saw in early access, this is more of that. I’d recommend gathering a consensus before buying this. It seems far too busy to really apply any atmospheric pressure and its a tale that’s been executed better with less. Unfortunately, it just didn’t resonate with me as a horror. All the while I could see a ton of hours and effort being poured in to crafting this. ![]() Even with the horror elements deflating, I was having some enjoyment from wandering through the spring-loaded ghost house. It pains me to see Layers of Fear end up like this. Again, it keeps you moving and, barring the final puzzle of the game, doesn’t frustrate. Puzzles that are present are largely simple in nature. There’s no subtlety or pacing to it and, for all the effort applied to make the mansion look massively labyrinthine, you’re rarely in a room longer to savour it. Couple this with the overuse of the game’s visual effects and you’re staring at a pony with one trick that’s desperate for attention. The most successful seem to arrive within the first hour and, beyond that its all too telegraphed and too frequent to really utilise any sense of build or dread. Its horror comes courtesy of various jump scares that seem to fall flat. It’s a pity that this forward momentum comes at the cost of tension. Things move fast and they do a great job at designing a machine that moves you along but the pace proves to be more harmful to the cause. Within some of these moments, there’s a real sense of visual flair and creativity and it’s arguably where this game earns its stripes. Every time you enter a new room or solve one of the game’s many puzzles, there’s an opportunity for a set-piece. The décor of the house is entirely dank, bleak and ordinary and whilst the consistency could lead to fatigue, Layers of Fear leans heavily into the change-up. At first, its genuinely impressive how successfully they match Konami’s blueprint and add their own touch. If you’ve played that then you’ll recognise Layers of Fear‘s never-ending corridors tinged with psychedelic interludes and a whole lot of darkness. Its packed with the usual horror tropes and cliches which blunt any real attempt at something intensely creepy and you can see them coming.Īs mentioned, there’s a significant admiration for Konami’s dearly departed P.T. As a result, I can’t really feel invested in the plot. Early on you discover domestic, psychological and personal issues that just feel like boxes are being ticked. Sadly, a lack of restraint and nuance hamper their storytelling quite a bit. Its a road well traversed and it can still be enjoyable if handled in the right way. You play as a Victorian freelance artist who, as is so often the case, finds himself in the grip of madness whilst pursuing his latest masterpiece. Its not long before the bait is switched though and the game uncovers its one neat trick. It offers a fairly tactile solution and, much like Firewatch and Gone Home, interesting trinkets can be found just by nosing around. You can swing open drawers, doors and activate switches with the right trigger and the analogue stick. Interaction with the world is limited to movement and touch. The experience initially undertakes a fairly bland adventure feel as you start hunting for keys through a turn-of-the-century mansion house. left off with a claustrophobic, tense effort. Coming from Polish indie outfit Bloober Team, this horror title aims to pick up where P.T. Februin PS4 / Reviews tagged ghost house / horror / layers of fear / narrative driven / victorian by MikeĪfter being in early access since August last year, the cover is finally lifted on Layers of Fear. ![]()
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |