Layers of Fear Video Game Series
Layers of Fear is a series of adventure games maintained in the convention of psychological horror, developed by the Polish company Bloober Team - an independent development studio founded in 2008. A strong inspiration for the creators of the first part was a playable teaser of the long-awaited but never completed Silent Hills - the next installment in the cult horror game series from Konami studios. The reference to such a famous title attracted the attention of both domestic and international players, and the game's success motivated the developers to work on the next projects of this ilk.
First Layers of Fear - published by Aspyr - was released in February 2016. The action of the title takes place in the 1920s, in an unknown city in the United States. In the game, we come to play the role of a painter who, after returning from a court hearing, begins to roam the rooms of his sprawling, albeit lifeless, home. After a thorough tour, he finally arrives at the studio. In the middle of the room stands an easel and on it a sheet-covered painting - his life's work, which the protagonist wants to complete at all costs.
On August 2 of the same year, the developers released the game's first story add-on - Inheritance - in which we play the role of the artist's daughter. The action of the title again takes us to a dark mansion, but this time the story of the unfortunate family is shown to us from the perspective of its youngest member. As in the original, the gameplay here is conducted from a first-person perspective and is based primarily on exploration and puzzle solving.
The next part of the series premiered in 2018. Unlike the first one, the action Layers of Fear 2 takes place on a derelict ship, and the theme of the title is no longer painting, but film art. So in this game, we take control of an actor, unknown to us by name, who has just received an engagement in a film being shot aboard a cruise liner. The role of narrator of the story here is played by Tony Todd, known, among others, for the title role in Candyman - a series launched in 1992 and based on a book by Clive Barker. Arkadiusz Reikowski, on the other hand, took care of the music composition. Despite improvements in certain aspects of gameplay, the second part of the Layers of Fear was no longer as popular as its predecessor.
At the end of 2021, Bloober Team studio released a teaser of the next installment of the series, whose main character was once again a nameless painter. This project was built on the basis of Unreal Engine 5 and, as in the other parts, its action is carried out from a first-person perspective.
Layers of Fear Series Evolution
2023
Layers of Fear
2019
Layers of Fear 2
2016
Layers of Fear (2016)
Layers of Fear
Adventure
June 15, 2023
An FPP psychological horror adventure game and the third installment in a series originating from 2016. Layers of Fears runs on the Unreal Engine 5.
Layers of Fear 2
Adventure
May 28, 2019
The second installment of a horror adventure game cycle, developed by the Polish studio Bloober Team. In Layers of Fear 2, we get aboard a ship on the high seas and take part in the making of another masterpiece film.
Layers of Fear (2016)
Adventure
February 16, 2016
A first person psychological horror adventure game inspired of 19th-century paintings and architecture. It was created by Polish developer Bloober Team, known for such titles as BRAWL, A-Men and Music Master: Chopin. The game is set in an ominous manor, while you assume the role of an insane painter striving to finish his masterpiece at all cost. Gameplay boils down to exploration, as the player searches for the source of the hero’s madness and the tools needed to complete the painting. While playing, you experience strange visions and fears born in the protagonist’s mind, making the task much more complicated. The game is soaked with dark, psychedelic atmosphere, which is further deepened by fitting audiovisuals.
- Layers of Fear: Inheritance August 2, 2016
Layers of Fear Series News
Layers of Fear Will Get a Free Expansion
Bloober Team has not forgotten about Layers of Fear. The Krakow-based studio has announced that the horror game will soon get a free DLC.
video games
Christian Pieniazek
October 11, 2023
Bloober Team Enters New Level; No More Psychological Horror Games
Bloober Team has announced that the release of Layers of Fear has ended Stage 2.0 in the team's output. The company has no plans to create more psychological horror games with limited gameplay mechanics.
video games
Adrian Werner
June 29, 2023
Layers of Fear in First Reviews
The first reviews of the new Layers of Fear suggest that Polish studio Bloober Team may be only partially satisfied. The game did not appeal to a sizable group of industry critics.
video games
Hubert Sledziewski
June 16, 2023
Layers of Fear Launches - Polish Horror Game on Unreal Engine 5
In a few hours Layers of Fear, horror game on Unreal Engine 5, will be released, which in addition to a new story, will also offer refreshed versions of the brand's earlier installments.
video games
Adrian Werner
June 15, 2023
Layers of Fear System Requirements; Demo Available Soon [UPDATE]
Bloober Team has revealed the system requirements for the third installment of the Layers of Fear series, and in the process announced the imminent - and temporary - availability of its demo version.
video games
Jan Kopacz
May 22, 2023
Unreal Engine 5 is Perfect for Dark Games; Layers of Fear Will Prove It
Bloober Team has presented a new trailer for Layers of Fear. The footage shows various uses of Unreal Engine 5.
video games
Adam Celarek
April 28, 2023
Here's 11 Minutes of Disturbing Gameplay From Layers of Fear
Bloober Team together with Anshar Studios have released the first gameplay from Layers of Fear. Yhe 11-minute material shows off new mechanics and visual enhancements to the psychedelic horror game.
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
March 19, 2023
Bloober Team Reveals Its Long-term Plans
Bloober Team has unveiled its strategy for 2023-2027, with the company confirming its plan to become a global horror leader. The team is involved in as many as 10 projects, seven of which are video games.
video games
Hubert Sledziewski
March 7, 2023
Layers of Fears Approximate Release Date and Change in Title
Bloober Team has announced an approximate release date for Layers of Fears, and in the process changed the game's title to one closer to a „name beloved” by fans of the original.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
February 21, 2023
Bloober Team Reminds of Its Big Hit
A new trailer for Layers of Fears has appeared online. It focuses on the presentation of the game's story.
video games
Jakub Tarchala
August 25, 2022