Bloober Team Announces Layers of Fear 3 with Live-Action Reveal

Bloober Team Returns to Layers of Fear

Bloober Team announced Layers of Fear 3 via a live-action trailer that featured an unsettling poetry reading, according to multiple reports. The reveal comes as the studio celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the psychological horror series that put them on the map back in 2016.

The announcement follows a brief teasing campaign that had fans speculating about the studio's next project. Given Bloober Team's recent success with the Silent Hill 2 remake, expectations are high for their return to the franchise that established their reputation for atmospheric, narrative-driven horror. The Polish studio has come a long way from their indie roots, and this announcement feels like a homecoming of sorts after proving themselves with Konami's legendary IP.

What We Know So Far

Details remain scarce following the initial reveal. The announcement trailer leaned heavily into the series' signature surreal, art-focused horror aesthetic, but Bloober Team has not yet shared:

• Release window or target platforms

• Gameplay details or mechanical changes

• Whether it continues the painter's story or explores new characters

• Engine technology (likely Unreal Engine 5, given their recent work)

The original Layers of Fear launched in 2016 and became a cult hit for its exploration-focused horror and mind-bending environments that constantly shifted around the player. It was part of the walking simulator horror wave that included games like Soma and What Remains of Edith Finch, though Layers of Fear distinguished itself with its focus on artistic madness and unreliable narration. The game followed a painter descending into insanity while trying to complete his magnum opus, with the Victorian mansion serving as both setting and metaphor for his deteriorating mental state.

A sequel followed in 2019, shifting focus to different artists and expanding the scope beyond a single location. The studio then released a comprehensive remake of both games in 2023 using Unreal Engine 5, which unified the visual style and added new story content. That remake served as both a technical showcase and a narrative bridge, potentially setting up threads for this third entry.

Silent Hill Success Sets the Stage

Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 remake received widespread acclaim in 2024, proving the studio could handle beloved horror properties while maintaining their own creative voice. That success likely gives them more creative freedom and resources for Layers of Fear 3, along with a significantly larger audience than the original games ever reached.

The Silent Hill project was a major risk for Bloober. Remaking one of the most revered horror games of all time meant facing intense scrutiny from a passionate fanbase. The fact that they pulled it off, delivering both technical polish and emotional resonance, suggests the team has matured considerably since their early days. They've also shown they can work with larger budgets and tighter production schedules without sacrificing the psychological depth that defines their work.

This experience should translate well to Layers of Fear 3. The series has always been Bloober's testing ground for narrative experiments and environmental storytelling techniques. With the technical foundation of Unreal Engine 5 already established through the 2023 remake and the Silent Hill project, they can focus on pushing the creative boundaries of what the series can be.

The question is whether they'll play it safe with familiar themes or take bigger swings. The original games explored artistic obsession, family trauma, and the nature of creativity itself. There's room to go deeper, especially with the added confidence and resources their recent success has brought.

No release date has been announced yet. Given the early nature of the reveal, a 2026 launch seems optimistic. Bloober typically takes 2–3 years between major projects, and if they're still in the early stages of development, late 2026 or even 2027 might be more realistic. Then again, if they've been working on this quietly while finishing Silent Hill 2, we could see it sooner than expected.