Fatal Frame

13.12.2001
Critic 80/100
Users 73/100
Genre: Adventure
Fatal Frame is the first game of the Fatal Frame series, introducing the franchise's unique premise of fighting ghosts with a special camera. Fatal Frame was the first to introduce the innovative use of an old-style camera as the primary weapon. In addition to navigating the main characters around the mansion grounds, players are able to enter Viewfinder Mode, where the camera is raised and the view changes to that of the camera's frame. In viewfinder mode the player is able to snap photographs of ghosts, both violent and benign, which is the main method of progressing through the game. Items are also available, some being consumable and most being key items needed to unlock doors, complete tasks or solve puzzles. Puzzles are encountered frequently in the game, some being based on the same concept but becoming progressively more difficult. The varying difficulty settings of the game (Easy, Normal, Hard, Nightmare, or Fatal (Xbox only)) determine the amount of consumable items scattered throughout the mansion and how formidable the enemies are. The main horror aspect of the game is, undoubtedly, the ghosts. The mechanics programmed for the ghosts allow them to float ethereally through the air, walls and floors, and even teleport, allowing them many ways to attack the player. The ghosts' appearances are usually inspired by their deaths or by Japanese stigmas of horror, which, some argue, are particularily chilling. The game, depending on which console it is played on, offers two endings. Upon completion of the game, a ranking is given based on total time taken, points accumulated and other categories. The player is also given rewards and unlockables, such as alternate costumes and camera functions, depending on what difficulty was beaten, how much of the Ghost List was completed and other criteria. Beating the game also unlocks Battle Mode, where the player is faced with fighting specific ghosts, and is rewarded with points towards purchasing unlockables. An option is also given where the game can be replayed with all equipment, upgrades and unlockables carried over.
Set in 1986. The story begin with an aspiring folklorist, Mafuyu Hinasaki decides one night to investigate the Himuro Mansion, a place that is said to be haunted, in search of renown folklorist Junsei Takamine. He brings with him a special hand-me-down, a special camera that has the power to "expose things the normal eyes can't see". Mafuyu enters the mansion and encounters its only inhabitants, ghosts of the people who were killed there. After fending off a violent ghost and seeing the power of the camera for himself, Mafuyu decides to continue his search. On his way, however, a dark presence surrounds him, and Mafuyu's fate is unknown. Two weeks later, Mafuyu's sister, Miku, arrives before the mansion. Fearing the worst may have happened to her brother, she takes it upon herself to enter the mansion and find him. Inside she finds the camera that Mafuyu brought with him, and, continuing his investigation, finds out the truth about the folklorist who went missing. Takamine came to the mansion to document the grisly events that occurred there long ago. In his progress, he uncovers the mysterious Strangling Ritual that took place in the mansion, but before he and his assistants could leave the haunted grounds, they were set upon by the spirits that were killed in the aftermath of the failed ritual. Miku continues deeper into the mansion, determined to find the truth and her missing brother. The story gets worse and worse by every room Miku enters, when later on she finds out that the Shrine Maiden (who is dead) looks for Mafuyu too.

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Expanded games

27.11.2002

Fatal Frame is an enhanced port of the original PS2 game. It includes the following upgrades and additions: - A new ending - 11 new ghosts - New unlockable costumes - A new difficulty level - Graphical upgrades

Part of collection:
Fatal Frame (last 3 games)

09.03.2023

When the protagonists were children, they visited the isolated island of "Rogetsu Isle" to celebrate the Rogetsu Festival. In the midst of the celebrations, they suddenly disappeared. The game begins when the girls decide to go back and visit the island again in search of their lost memories of that day. Attempt to repel encroaching ghosts, relying solely on the faint glow of a flashlight and the Camera Obscura; a camera with the ability to photograph unimaginable things.

27.10.2021

Experience all of the horror from the original FATAL FRAME: Maiden of Black Water with new remastered visuals, new costumes and photo mode features. The main adventure consists of three interconnected stories which lead the player to uncover the horrifying truth behind a string of recent tragic deaths taking place in a forest with an infamous history. Take on the role of one of three people with the power of the Camera Obscura and the ability to see the shadows of those spirited away. The story will take you on a frightening adventure through the ruins of an eerie inn, a shrine filled with life-size dolls, and a lake full of dead priestesses.

27.09.2014

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a survival horror video game developed by Koei Tecmo and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. The fifth main entry in the Fatal Frame series, it was released in Japan in September 2014 and worldwide in October 2015. As with previous games in the series, players navigate areas filled with hostile ghosts which must be fought by taking photographs using the Camera Obscura, which is directly controlled using the Wii U gamepad. A post-endgame story featuring Ayane, a character from the company's Dead or Alive series, is also available featuring altered gameplay mechanics. The story, which is set on the fictional Hikami Mountain, focuses on three protagonists who are drawn into supernatural events revolving the area, including an ancient ritual to seal away Yomi, a malevolent force corrupting the surrounding spirits that is tied to the fate of the titular shrine maiden Ouse Kurosawa. Planning for the game began in 2011, during the projection of the Wii remake of Crimson Butterfly. The game was first proposed by series co-creator Keisuke Kikuchi when he saw the Wii U hardware and the possibilities of the gamepad becoming the Camera Obscura. The game was a joint production effort between Koei Tecmo and Nintendo Software Planning & Development, with Kikuchi and fellow co-creator Makoto Shibata returning as to their respective posts of producer and director, together with staff from the previous series entry Mask of the Lunar Eclipse and developers new to the series. The cast went through several revisions during development, while the staff experimented with the capacities of the new hardware. As with previous games, it features a theme song by Tsuki Amano. Upon release, the game received critical acclaim for its use of the gamepad and dark atmosphere, while opinions were mixed on its story, portrayal of its female characters, and other aspects such as its pacing and controls.

Could be interesting

01.09.1992

Alone in the Dark is one of the first survival horror games and the first to utilize 3D models superimposed on pre-rendered backgrounds, which would become a key inspiration for upcoming horror games at the time, like the Resident Evil franchise. The player can use various weapons, such as pistol, rifle, swords and knives, though it is possible to kill most enemies with melee attacks. Some opponents can be beaten by solving a particular puzzle, while a significant number of opponents cannot be killed at all or only with certain weapons.

01.07.1999

Dino Crisis is a survival horror video game developed and published by Capcom in 1999. Set in a remote research facility, it follows special agent Regina as she investigates a scientific experiment gone wrong. The game combines exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat against hostile dinosaurs. It uses a real-time 3D environment rather than pre-rendered backgrounds, distinguishing it from earlier Capcom horror titles. Dino Crisis is often noted for its emphasis on tension, limited resources, and fast, unpredictable enemies.

27.11.2003

Crimson Butterfly is the second installment in the Fatal Frame series, although not a direct sequel to the first title, Fatal Frame. The story follows twin sisters Mio and Mayu as they explore an abandoned village and experience encounters with the paranormal. Players must use the Camera Obscura to defeat ghosts and uncover the secrets of the village. An Xbox port, subtitled Director's Cut, was released in 2004 and included additional features. a remake of the game titled Project Zero 2: Wii Edition was released for the Wii in 2012 in Europe and Japan.

28.07.2005

Rei Kurosawa suffers a strange dream each night, since she took a photo of her dead boyfriend in an abandoned old mansion. Every night the dream will take her deeper and deeper in an old mansion, when she will have to find out what is going on.

15.03.2005

Tom Hansen is just another guy in the U.S. Coast Guard when his crew receives a mysterious order to undertake a hazardous rescue mission in the teeth of a winter storm. As the waves surge higher, Tom and his crewmates find the vessel, an abandoned Russian whaling ship. They board it, but discover that the ship has only been abandoned by human life. Something else is on board, something deadly, and soon Hansen is the only one left who can stop it. Joining forces with the only other survivor, Hansen must battle the inhuman menace and seek out its very heart for a confrontation that could have consequences for all of humanity.

01.10.2004

For some time now, Leafmore High School has been the setting for unexplained disappearances. In this survival horror game, you take control of a group of 5 American students. With your friends, you try to unravel the mysterious happenings at this unremarkable-looking school. The night will be long and survival will not be easy... A few years ago, strange things started occurring in the usually quiet American school of Leafmore. Some students are said to have heard awful screams, and there is the talk of mysterious disappearances. After one of their friends mysteriously disappears, a group of students decides to investigate the disturbing events. One evening after class, they stay behind and are locked inside the school, determined to discover what is going on. Down long, dimly-lit corridors and in dark classrooms, Shannon, Kenny, Ashley, Stan, and Josh will try to find out why their school has become so terrifying - and will try to stay alive.

01.02.1989

The game is a 2D action horror based on the first movie of popular horror franchise Friday the 13th. The game casts the player as one of six camp counselors (three girls or three boys) at the Camp Crystal Lake and the player´s main task is to defend the children in the cabins situated all around the lake while slowly killing Jason. The cabins are frequently attacked by the mass murderer and the player must get to the attacked cabin within the specific time limit otherwise Jason kills the children. When all the camp counselors or all the children are dead, the game is over. Jason can attack the player outside cabins too, on the pathways when exploring. There are three cycles meaning, Jason must be killed three times (every time Jason is stronger and quicker) to beat the game.

13.08.1998

Echo Night is a mystery adventure video game developed by From Software. The story revolves around Richard Osmond and his journey to find out what happened to the ship Orpheus, which mysteriously disappeared from the sea. The story will uncover too the mystery about two stones which contain some kind of power.

06.11.2003

The story revolves around an interconnected cast of characters that possess a power which enables them to see and hear what a nearby character sees. The game was followed by a PlayStation 2 sequel, a reimagining for the PlayStation 3 and a film adaption. Siren is divided into stages, each taking place in one of ten areas in the village of Hanuda, and organized chronologically in a table called the "Link Navigator". In order to complete a stage, the player must accomplish a primary objective that usually involves reaching an exit point, subduing undead enemies called "Shibito", or finding an item. Objectives in different stages are interconnected via a butterfly effect, and a character's actions in one stage can trigger a secondary objective in another stage. There are miscellaneous items scattered throughout each stage that give the player further insight into the plot's background. Once obtained, these items are archived in a catalog and can be viewed at any time during the game's duration. The game's player characters possess a psychic power named "sightjack," which enables them to see and hear what a nearby Shibito or human sees and hears, and thus pinpoint its position, as well as gain knowledge of their activities and of the position of obtainable items. The clarity of each target depends on the distance from the player character. Once a point of view is located, it can be assigned to one of certain buttons of the controller to easily switch between multiple points of view. However, the player character is unable to move during use of the ability and is thus vulnerable to attack. The game encourages the player to avoid Shibito rather than fight them. Characters can walk silently, avoid the use of a flashlight, and crouch behind objects to elude detection. Certain mission objectives require the player character to use items and/or the environment to distract Shibito from their activity, in order for them to achieve a goal. Others require the player to escort a non-player character. Player characters can also shout at any time in order to get the attention of nearby Shibito. Within most stages, the player character can hide in certain places such as cupboards and lock doors to prevent Shibito from entering. When a Shibito hears a sound made by the player character, it will search in the direction from which they heard the sound. If a character is seen by a Shibito, the latter will pursue the character to kill them either with a melee or ranged weapon or by strangulation. The Shibito will also shout to alert other nearby Shibito. Once the character has remained out of the Shibito's sight for a period of time, the Shibito will give up and resume its usual habits. Weapons are available for the player throughout the game, ranging from melee weapons to firearms. While Shibito can be knocked out in combat, they cannot be killed and will reanimate after a short period of time. If a character is injured, they can recover after some time has passed. Characters will lose stamina during combat and while running.

02.08.1996

Overblood is a 3D action-adventure video game developed by Riverhillsoft and released in 1997 for the PlayStation console. The game takes place in the future, where the player takes on the role of a man named Raz Karcy who wakes up in a cryogenic pod with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As Raz, the player must explore the futuristic environments, solve puzzles, and fight enemies in order to uncover his past and the secrets of the facility he finds himself in. The game features a mix of third-person exploration and combat, and also includes survival elements such as managing hunger and oxygen levels. Despite its initial commercial failure, Overblood has gained a cult following over the years for its unique gameplay and intriguing story.

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