In that sense, it replaces the firearms typically seen in horror-survival games.
For the uninitiated, combat in Fatal Frame is done via a special camera that allows you to inflict damage on ghostly foes by taking their picture. I consider the camera controls the main strength of the game and a key mechanic that distinguishes it from other titles in the genre. The use of the Wii U tablet with respect to the series famed “Camera Obscura,” on the other hand, is pure money. This can be a bit annoying when you’re trying to interact with your surroundings. It’s actually charming in its own way though it also comes with the clunkier character movements and environmental camera associated with that era. The gameplay, meanwhile, has an old-school feel to it that reminds me of the heyday of the PlayStation 2. Speaking of environs, while I like their look and style overall in this game, some of the textures lack detail, especially when compared to the character models. You can even say that they can be unnecessarily distracting and feel out of place in the game’s grittier environs. Admittedly, some of the characters’ fashion choices can be, uh, curious to say the least, looking more befitting of Japanese idols. At the same time, it might not float for folks who prefer a more Western look as seen in “The Witcher: Wild Hunt,” instead of the pretty girls and even prettier boys seen in many Japanese media. Personally, I have a soft spot for this style so it worked out well for me. The visuals have a very Japanese feel to it, particularly with its well-done character models. In addition to self-inflicted deaths, there’s also the question of people being spirited away, a phenomenon known as “kamikakushi” in Japan. The tale starts with your investigation of Mount Hikami and the mysteries behind its spate of suicides.
In Maiden of Black Water, the story unfolds through the eyes of three protagonists, who players alternate with as they go through the plot. After seeing my umpteenth ghost lady rising from the waters in the opening minutes, I pretty much got desensitized and lost all fear.įortunately, the game slows down again after that and regains its balance. The best horror films, at least for me, do their best work with what’s not shown onscreen, causing your own imagination to work against you. Or bad, depending on your point of view.Įarly in the game, however, the game commits the cardinal sin often seen in Western slasher films, which is sensory overload and showing too much.
Then there’s the water theme, which can be creepy in its own right but gets even scarier for yours truly because I almost drowned twice as a kid. Hikami, which appears to draw inspiration from Japan’s real-life suicide forest of Aokigahara.
There’s the backdrop of the fictional suicide mountain, Mt. On the surface, the game certainly oozes frightening potential.
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