Layers of Fear, a re-imagining that compiles Layers of Fear (2016), its DLCs and Layers of Fear 2, is now available on the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and if you’re on the fence about which version to pick up, read ahead.
The game offers 2 graphical modes on PS5 and Xbox Series i.e. Quality and Performance. The Quality mode increases the lighting quality and adds ray tracing. Performance mode removes ray tracing, slightly decreases the lighting quality and average resolution. PS5 offers a higher average resolution in both graphics modes compared to the Xbox Series X. For example, in the first areas of the final chapter, the latter shows an average of 1188p in performance mode, while the former is running at 1332p. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series S version has no ray tracing and suffers from some clipping on shadows, global illumination, geometry and some post-processing effects. On PC, it is possible to run Layers of Fear at max settings and get a superior experience over the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions.
In terms of resolution, the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions run at a resolution of 4K in both modes that is reconstructed from a native resolution of dynamic 1800p in Quality mode and dynamic 1440p in Performance mode. The Xbox Series S version runs at a resolution of 1440p that is reconstructed from a native resolution of dynamic 1080p.
With regards to performance, the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions target a frame rate of 30 fps in Quality mode and 60 fps in Performance mode. The 30fps mode suffers from stuttering on both PS5 and Xbox Series X. Outside of specific areas, all 3 consoles maintain 60fps without issue when running in the Performance mode.
All in all, developer Bloober Team has done a good job of optimizing Layers of Fear on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. That said, the PC version offers the best possible experience, followed by the PS5 version.
