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Mostly, it’s an upward improvement and I’m keen to see what Bloober Team do next. The new threat of the chase gives the game a much needed tension, even if some of these segments stop Layers of Fear 2 dead in its tracks. For a game that shows a lot, it loves to tell as well. The story remains a deeply personal one but the same problems with the writing persist. The game looks sharper, cleaner and really nice in motion. Layers of Fear 2 has been helped by the passage of time. It’s effective but I feel it doesn’t unnerve me second time around. Solved puzzles are signified by a chime and a scratchy soundtrack tends to arrive when the monster makes his presence felt. Sound is there to provide stingers or shocks more than an overbearing atmosphere. It’s a tiny cast of characters that keeps things easy to follow. There’s a persistent storyline involving child stowaways that’s portrayed nicely. All these events are scripted so there’s a sense of occasion to these. It does provide an added tension and you do grow to fear his appearance. Luckily, other instances proved less of a headache. Momentum can be halted as you try to outrun this monster and, in one early race, the checkpoint on hand dealt me a timing window that was simply too tight. It brings with it failure which can provide some irritation. Periodically, a faceless menace will arrive to give chase and your only option is to run. What’s new to the formula is the idea of being hunted. One of them even has a decent pay-off which I won’t spoil. There’s very few opportunities to branch out but story snippets and collectables allow to make exploration rewarding. They help break up moving from place to place and your progression through the ship is almost exclusively linear. Puzzles remain simple and don’t stifle the flow. Palettes swap when the mood fits and you find yourself welcoming a room with actual colour on show. Perspectives change, paths move in and out of existence and you’re very much strapped in for the ride. I remained engaged by the latter stages by the familiar box of tricks. Other than that, there’s not a lot to grasp. The two-step process does offer something different for what’s essentially a mundane process. Door opening remains nice and tactile as you hold down the right trigger and then move the right stick to open the door. You can pick up items for story context and move them around to reveal further information, although this is sparingly used. You’ll spend your time moving through rooms, opening doors and solving puzzles. Layers of Fear 2 is a lot better at holding your attention. Indeed, I’ve had a couple of instances early on where I’ve simply missed the mark and just found myself confused by some moving parts. I often think giving the player control through most of it allows for moments of shock to be missed. The psychological horror on offer retains the shape-shifting appeal but the simple jump scares are better executed. There’s a precision and care taken in the environments that make them seem lived in.Īt its heart, it’s still a spring-loaded ghost ship. The ship is portrayed brilliantly with its metallic, rocking corridors appearing well-maintained and period appropriate. Shadows and light are used to make things clear. There’s plenty of monochromatic interludes that don’t produce a strain on your eyes. Layers of Fear 2 is crisper, colour appears clearer and it seems that the Unreal Engine has been put to great use.
One thing that has sharpened is the visual treatment. It’s a problem that was present in the original so it’s a pity writing hasn’t tightened up since. There’s a lot of ominous monologuing about playing your part and wearing masks that feel played out. Unfortunately, the manner of the game’s storytelling takes the edge off. It’s an emotional, personal story which holds some twists back for a rather poignant conclusion. Their latest assignment takes place on a working ocean liner whose tight corridors suit the claustrophobic horror quite well. Rather than playing an artist, you’re now inhabiting an actor who, whilst preparing for a role, gets drawn into a personal night of torment. Layers of Fear 2 is not a direct sequel but the plot still holds some commonalities. Polish developers, Bloober Team are back with a sequel and, second time around, things come together a little better. It was an interesting horror effort but the story seemed to play it’s hand too early and some puzzles impeded the game’s flow. I remember describing Layers of Fear as a spring-loaded ghost house.
LAYERS OF FEAR 2 SHIP PS4
Jin PS4 / Reviews tagged acting / actors / bloober team / layers of fear 2 / polish / psychological horror / puzzles by Mike
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