Layers of Fear 2 Critic Reviews

Carried by hauntingly beautiful writing and an unsettling atmosphere, Layers of Fear 2 is one of the most stunning horror games of this generation. Using classic film and a descent into madness as its anchor, its rich ocean liner setting changes at every turn, producing constant unease in just the right way. With unique puzzles and expert pacing, Layers of Fear 2 is a harrowing and consistently exciting endeavor.

Fans of the original Layers of Fear or any psychological horror game will truly enjoy Layers of Fear 2. The core and elements of the original remain intact and the cruise ship setting is an improvement over the original. The visuals and art direction will blow your mind as the cruise ship truly comes together when adding in the audio and horror element. The story takes a while to develop and it may not even be understood in the end depending on what ending the player gets based on the choices made in the game. Sure, the game is only ten hours, but it’s designed for multiple playthroughs. Besides that and some technical issues, Layers of Fear 2 is another horror masterpiece and improves on what the original accomplished.

The jump scares are a bit overdone, same as the original Layers of Fear, and there’s an abysmal chase sequence in the second act that could’ve been cut completely. Still, Bloober Team’s rapidly proved itself as a master of psychological horror, using symbolism in ways most games don’t even attempt, let alone achieve. So what if it’s not very scary? There’s more important work to be done. Great work.

Layers of Fear 2 is an abstract, slow burn psychological thriller that strings you along with increasingly skilled and disturbing imagery, then leaves you shaking and looking over your shoulder.

Layers of Fear 2 is one of the best pure horror games I’ve played in some time. Bloober Team has created a title that pushes common horror tropes aside for something more fascinating and exciting. While I ultimately left unsatisfied with my first run, the journey to the end was a hell of a ride that had me uneasy in the best ways the entire time.

Layers of Fear 2 is a fascinating horror game that centers on exploring a mysterious ship and its ever-changing layout. It isn't the scariest game, but the unsettling nature of everything you encounter more than makes up for it. The constant environmental changes designed to mess with you are amazing and one of the best aspects.

Layers of Fear 2 narrates an unnerving and dramatic story about the struggle of the actor to attain the perfect character on a path strewn with abhorrently masked imperfections. It may not be the scariest game ever made, but it's certainly one of the most introspective.

Layers of Fear 2 excels as a horror game and a mystery story, with excellent worldbuilding and plenty of creepy moments throughout.

Layers of Fear 2 is clearly not for everyone. This game is basically a frightening walking simulator which can look boring for those who aren't used to this genre. But it is mostly an artistic game with a use of symbols to reflect on many subjects as cinema, grief or innocence, wrapped in breathtaking graphics and soundtrack. Surely, everyone will get a different feeling playing it, but the game conquered us.

Though LoF2's message may be cryptic at first, with every layer that is pulled back, more insight is revealed. If life is a stage, and all the men and women are merely players... where does that put you? What does it mean to be the captain of your own destiny? Will you let your past define you, or your future? The player is confronted with each question with the brute force of a formless ghost. The horror is real, but you may not be.

While Layers of Fear 2 might make a misstep in how it concludes, almost everything preceding is a horror joy and a significant improvement on its predecessor, it aptly adding more layers to the experience.

Bloober respects the formula created in the original for this sequel, changing the scenario, but keeping its horror approach. That means a lot of linearity, repetitive resources and jump scares, but also a few lessons learned.

It is always tense and captivating and there’s a human story behind the curtain of the initial premise. The constant claustrophobic foreboding, the terrific blend of styles and its thought-provoking storytelling make this a cerebral, artisanal horror experience filled with suspense and, surprisingly, beauty.

I'm scared of the jumpscares or my heart is pounding when the monster nearly kicks me. But for real fear, I'm just not invested enough in the story.

Layer of Fear 2 is the dramatic descent into the lost mind of an actor that has to find himself, a compelling story about violence and abuse.

Even it struggles to be more than a deluxe ghost train, or that is writing is so-so at best, Layers of Fear 2 is a good choice for any psycho-horror enthusiasts, thanks to its clever mise-en-scène.

Layers of Fear 2 is an extremely gripping first-person horror game that keeps players engaged from beginning to end thanks to its story, which touches some very interesting themes. The game, however, is far from a masterpiece that could appeal to a wider audience due to its simple gameplay mechanics, linearity and excessive similarity to its predecessor. A solid game and a must-have for fans of psychological horror stories, but definitely not for everyone.

Layers of Fear 2 is a "sightseeing horror walking simulator" that focuses on different things than games like What Remains of Edith Finch. This majestic, atmospheric game offers players a unique and bold experience, but the best features can be seen in single scenes than in the entire title.

No game, including other horror titles, looks as good as Layers of Fear 2, yet it falls incredibly short in design. Even the story, which I personally enjoyed, is needlessly enigmatic and overly "artsy." Layers of Fear 2 isn't for everyone, but for those who want to dive into a visually stunning, off-putting environment, this will sate.

Diverse movie scenes, twisted dynamic levels, and a handful of good scares help make Layers of Fear 2 a fine piece of horror gaming. Better story pacing and a clearer start might have seen it outperform the competition.