Without spoiling too much, there is an enemy in the game which, upon seeing you will chase you relentlessly, and if it catches you then you die. But scary, panic-inducing, or one of those things that leaves you whimpering at night before nervously drifting off into a nightmare? No, not at all.īut the biggest misstep in the design of the sequel is the second way in which you can die in Layers of Fear 2.
It’s interesting, and maybe a little challenging to overcome, sure. If none of that previous sentence sounds particularly scary, it’s because it isn’t. Death comes from two main sources, the first is by failing to dodge either light or fire (depending on the part of the story) and these dangers are on pre-set paths, so your success is dictated by your ability to tactically time your movement between safe zones. Perhaps the biggest change from the first game is that in the sequel, death is a real possibility, resulting in a restart from the generously distributed checkpoints. However, it doesn’t take you very long to start spotting the patterns and telegraphing the position of scares even if you still don’t know exactly what the scare will be, diminishing it somewhat. As with most of Layers of Fear 2, the first few times this happens, you’re shocked momentarily, and the rush of endorphins that horror fans love is delivered. It also plays that familiar trick of changing things after you’ve exited a room so the location is different from when you entered, a nice way of unsettling you and increasing the tension. The floor plan of the liner also creates narrow corridors and tight small rooms to navigate and explore, and given the first-person perspective, allow for very specific and controlled vision, perfect for deliberate scares right in front of you, or as you are forced to turn 180 degrees at a dead end or when exiting a room. The effect of going from light to dark when moving through the ship is intentionally jarring,and when coupled with the swaying of the ship or the audible cocktail of crashing waves, creaking floors and mechanical drumming from the underbelly of the engine rooms far below is incredibly unsettling. Such a modern and often elegant location felt more indulgent than intimidating, but it soon becomes apparent why they chose this setting. The choice of a cruise liner initially seemed an odd one. You’ll find clues and collectibles that piece together your current situation and your past as you find purpose and make decisions that guide the narrative of the emerging story. As you begin your journey it is clear all is not what it seems, and your adventure descends into a psychological roller-coaster ride that tests the limits of emotions. Waking up in your room, you must explore the ship to find out why you’re there and more about who you are. You’ve been hired for your latest film that is set onboard a luxury cruise liner. You assume the role of a prolific actor, famous for their 5-star performances across the globe. But does this and other changes from the first game elevate it to new heights? Sadly not, as Layers of Fear 2 makes some design choices that feel reminiscent of the Titanic on its maiden voyage. So a step-change it is then, from the eerie Victorian backdrop exploring a painter’s life in the original to a more modern excursion on a cruise liner assuming the role of a high-profile actor.
The original Layers of Fear fell more into the second category whilst it garnered praise from some, others were left underwhelmed with its execution. If the previous outing was mediocre, a step-change is required to change perceptions, which itself brings certain risks. If the original is a masterpiece, recapturing that same presence and emotion can be difficult. Sequels in the horror genre are always a tough gig.
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