Fatal Frame is everything I thought it to be!
FATAL FRAME: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse (Reviewed)
Developer: KOEI TECMO GAMES CO
Publisher: KOEI TECMO GAMES CO
Released: 8 March, 2023
Price: $49.99 USD
Fatal Frame transports you back to the golden days of atmospheric horror.
In this long-running series, you will be playing through the eyes of a very diverse array of protagonists all with their own connections to Rogetsu Island.
Ruka Minazuki, one of the numerous individuals you will play as and encounter, is the sole subject of the narrative. Although she has connections to the other protagonists you play, her recollections of them as they search for her are all but vague blurs as a result of her kidnapping ten years earlier.
What mysteries envelop these dark hospital's halls? What experiments were performed on these poor children? In this terrifying tale, discover the truth.
Story
It takes a while to understand
As I mentioned before, the focus of this game's plot is surrounded by Ruka, who was abducted ten years prior along with 2 other girls. No one knows why, and she seems to have forgotten everything up until after she was rescued.
Her rescuer one of the playable characters is Choshiro Kirishim, A former detective that had original found the girls hidden deep beneath the hospital.
When Ruka's mother Sayaka learned that her daughter had returned to the island for reasons unknown, she contacted him while ostensibly on a deathbed out of concern for her safety. He accepts and heads out in search for her.
Despite this being the main reason why most of them have gone back to the island, something else seems to be bringing them all back together.
It's basic but intriguing
While it isn't really captivating or anything of that nature, the story still offers a lot of desire to want to figure out what exactly has been going on here.
You'll be switching between protagonists a lot, which I think will cause a lot of confusion as to when the true time zones are and whether the characters are all present at once, each in their own time, or even in a world created by illusion.
It's definitely going to be a game that I finish completely as I have enjoyed it.
Previous titles
You don't have to worry
Every installment in the franchise has a distinct solo plot. Several of them feature recurring characters, but it is nothing critical or really significant
Apart for the fact that they are all part of the same series, there is no real connection between them. Each game is independent of the others, you can complete the full game without knowing anything about any earlier entries.
Gameplay
Tense and eerie
In this game, there are a lot of things to watch out for, from the numerous ghosts that will lunge at you to ghosts that spring out while you're attempting to grab for an item. Pull back because it will steal the item from you if it grabs you.
But when you have to wait for a good five seconds for your character to reach forward and pick up a book or letter when nothing is going to jump out at you, it becomes a little monotonous. It think this should have been changed on PC.
I can understand why they wouldn't as I realize it would make things less tense if they did, but nothing will try to grab you on simple notes and books.
Combat
While using the Camera Obscura, particularly when activating a Fatal Frame capture, the game basically jerks the camera off to the side if the ghost gets too close, preventing you from getting a triple capture. I'm not sure whether to say that the combat gets better or just a little more tedious and problematic.
Ghosts dodge and weave about rapidly which will frequently reset the camera completely unless you have to right lens and effects activated to allow for more strong and speedy image reload.
When you're fighting the slower ghosts, the game can get a little boring; but, when there are numerous frenzied ghosts in tight spots, it can be quite exciting.
Upgrades
I haven't bothered to use my meagre supply of red and blue gems to amplify the powers of the Camera or the Flashlight (for Choshiro) outside of the lens.
If I did, I would undoubtedly cope with the more challenging ghosts much more easily, but I seem to prefer holding onto them for the hope that I come across a really powerful lens, while putting up with a ghost for a lengthy period of time.
Audio and Visuals
Tank Controls
You can see me struggling to get Ruka to turn around and enter the elevator at the beginning of the above video. For me, this really isn't much of a problem, but occasionally, this is what will kill you while fighting ghosts you can fight against.
Excellent eerie atmosphere
The atmosphere is excellent for a game that was released on the Nintendo Wii, while it is not quite wet your pants scary. The music box, the creaking doors, the whispers, the cries, and the mannequin hands and every other sound is great.
Everything is done beautifully, and the game makes extensive use of film grain to give the impression that it is older, which, makes the experience much more pleasurable. There's something just right about it, like watching someone's life before your eyes through the film reel and this is all a dream.
Concerns
Facial expressions
When every interaction with a brand-new ghost or one that is after you is met with a blank stare, I feel a little bit removed from the atmosphere the game is trying to create. In a cutscene, a ghost might grab your arm, yet all you might see is a pan-faced Ruka, Misaki, or Madoka, it almost made me spit my water.
Although it doesn't actually change the gameplay, it keeps the game from being overly frightening, which is fine because I like those kinds of games, it's funny.
Conclusion
I'm really glad I got to play this game
I'm a moderate fan of games like Silent Hill and Tormented Souls and it has been very refreshing to play something that I can genuinely enjoy.
When I have the time, I'll want to fully sit through and play the entire game because it's not too challenging, scary, or hard, and the tale is captivating and enticing enough without making me feel like I am wasting my time.
You'll enjoy this game if you enjoy atmospheric horror with an old-school feel and are willing to overlook the fact that it uses conventional tank controls, which frequently limit your freedom to move and position yourself.
This concludes my review of this game, while my opinions may be met with criticism, that's what makes gamers unique, you don't have to like the same things that others do, nor do you have to agree with them.
As I continue to play through the game, I may stop by to make adjustments or add new information. You can find me in the places listed below if you want to catch me during one of my streams or discover me on social media:
- Pawkt
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