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Are you tough enoughto play Fatal Frame?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 47 / 48
Date: November 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Ghosts are pretty scary.

I'm not talking about your "Casper the Friendly Ghost" spirits. I'm talking about your "corner-of-the-eye ethereal image" ghosts, the ones we all talk about in hushed voices over a cup of hot cocoa on stormy nights. Despite what scientists, religious fanatics or your mother may say, "ghosts can be very real ... and very scary." While fans of the horror genre may find their Resident Evil's or Silent Hill's staling, it'd be a hard press to find a single individual who wasn't disturbed, nerve racked or swear-to-death frightened of what Tecmo has done with such a simple concept as a ghost house. Fatal Frame mixes RPG gameplay with eeriness to create an experience like no other you have come unto before.

The story behind Fatal Frame is as follows: A young girl named Miku Hinasaki has ventured into the mysterious Himuro Mansion, the last known whereabouts of her missing older brother, Mafuyu. Mafuyu had ventured inside to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a certain renowned author named Junsei Takamine, who is Mafuyu's idol. Takamine's aim was to study the mansion's mysterious and bloody history, and, as you've imagined, neither him nor any of the members of his research team have been heard from since. You take the role of Miku, who, in the search for her brother, manages to learn all about the craziness going on at the Himuro Mansion and find out a bit more about Takamine and company than she probably wants to know.

As the game's main character, Miku, you will journey through the bowels of a haunted mansion in search of your lost brother with only a camera as protection. But not just any camera, mind you. Through an Onimusha-like upgrade system, you will be able to transform your poltergeist-friendly camera into a finely tuned spook-busting machine. Each ghost that you capture via your camera will net you a certain amount of spirit points, which you can spend on adding or improving functionality to your camera. Fatal Frame also delivers a very gripping psychological freak fest. The scenes of murder and ritualistic sacrifices are eerie and disturbing. The mansions long dead residents revealing themselves in grisly fashions at the most opportune moments (I swear they must monitor your heart rate through the controller) will keep your pulse racing at an unhealthy level, unless of course you're one of those jaded gamers made of stone who never flinches.

The graphics in Fatal Frame are just short of astounding. Interactive backgrounds, freaky grain-film filters, impressive Luigi's Mansion-quality dynamic lighting effects. Every object casts a realistic shadow on the background resulting in an almost frightening level of immersiveness. You'll see shadows moving as you walk, which adds in to the realism. However, don't expect to see everything in daylight or something; everything is dark and you'll have to look around with the flashlight. Also, while each character has an almost manga look to them and may not be uber-detailed like in Silent Hill 2, they still look sharp and contain elements of realism. The atmosphere is just breath-taking and although some areas within the mansion do look the same, the feeling of deja-vu is rarely noticeable. The whole package is pulled together really well to create a grisly environment. Excellent texture maps and a well-detailed environment immediately draw you into the game.

But what really stands out is the design and look of the ghosts. In fact, the ghost effects are awesome to behold. They fade in and out, and the visual effects when they are "invisible" is well done. You will find yourself shocked and horrified by what turns up when you least expect it.

The sound in Fatal Frame is anything but clunky. Using 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, it is composed mainly of an organic-ambience and strange ritualistic chanting music that would scare your little brother to death, if you were to record the samples onto a mini-recorder, put the device under his bed and hit play at full volume ... while he is sleeping. Ghosts will scream in agony as you film them and taunt you in the instances when they have the upper hand. Supernatural objects will resonate with a spooky hum as you close in on them, faint voices can be heard through long corridors, footsteps sound suitably different depending on the composition of what your walking on; all this equates to an audibly impressive, realistic experience that reverberates with resounding effect. But it was some of the voices that got my skin crawling the most. Whispers haunt certain corners while low demonic murmerings haunt others. Some spirits will taunt you while others will cry out in their torment, "It hurts ... It hurts ..."

Fatal Frame is a wonderful game that takes quite a lot of courage to play. You seriously do not know how scary this game is, and if you'll be able to handle it. Only buy it if you can stand in a pitch black haunted house screaming satanic verses in real life. It's a great game, but it makes most gamers run home crying to their mommy. Intense, but a definite classic. Buy it if your tough.

Fatal Frame

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: November 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is very cool, if you like scary games like Silent Hill, I would recomend getting this game. It is very fun, and freaks the hell out of you sometimes. Your goal is to try to find the main character's brother. There are lots of mysteries to solve in this game. Fatal Frame is really cool. Get it!

DO NOT PLAY WITH LIGHTS OUT!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 14
Date: December 17, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I consider myself a pragmatic person. The line between reality and fiction firmly grasped; premises behind movies and games easily established ... but Oh My God this game is scary as hell. First off it's based on a true story, so that kind of sticks in the back of your mind as you begin playing. Coupled with the dynamic soundtrack and your game pad shaking like crazy anytime a ghost comes near you, it's a great psych out.

The game's premise is similar to the Pokemon game (if you ever played that on N64) ... except it's cranked up 100 notches for adult play. You walk around this haunted house armed with only a camera which captures the ghosts and prevents them from harming you .... but it's not only the capturing of them that makes this game enthralling, it's the visual and sound effects, along with the physical vibe of your game controller that really creeps you out.

It's also really challenging; a good combination of dextrous play and puzzle solving. And the endings for this game differ from the PS2 version to the XBOX version, which is unique.

But it's not for the faint of heart.

If you're looking for spectacular graphics, a great story line and wonderful almost cinematic combinations of sight, sound and feel, do yourself a favor and pick up this game. It hasn't left my XBOX since the UPS guy delivered it from Amazon.(com)

There should be more games like this!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: December 28, 2002
Author: Amazon User

In my opinion, this was better than Silent Hill. It did not have as much blood and gore and it was VERY creepy and DEFINATELY scary! The graphics were excellent, the story line was engaging and the control of the main charachter was very fluid. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a unique twist on a horror game!

Long time gamer

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 9
Date: January 20, 2003
Author: Amazon User

First I have to say that the graphics in this game are good as well as the storyline and puzzles. That's why I gave this game two stars. However, the problems I found in playing the game are as follows.

1) The game was not thoroughly tested. It's possible in more than one place to find yourself in a situation that you can't get out of. By situation I mean where your health is so low, and the ghost is so relenting that you can't escape or continue the game. You have to go back to a previously saved game slot and replay your steps and activities in order to avoid the situation.

2) Not a true 3D environment. The camera angles throughout the game are fixed which makes the character control counter-intuitive. You may be running in one direction when the camera angle suddenly changes and now you're, suddenly, pressing the wrong direction on the controller and the character begins running the opposite way. This is very frustrating when you're trying to get into position to fight a ghost, or just move around. Also, the game is not forgiving when it comes to positioning the character in front of objects or doors. If you're not lined up precisely, and I mean to the pixel, you won't be able to open the door or pick up the object. Very frustrating.

3) The writers were very cheap with health points. When you consider that one attack from a ghost can reduce your health by as much as 50%, and you must often endure several attacks before killing the ghost, this doesn't leave you with much of a chance and you continually find yourself starting over and over.

4) 'Game Over?' How long has it been since games used that outdated play mode? Nowadays when you die you're simply prompted if you wish to 'Restart?'. When you die in this game you're 'forced' to relaunch the game from the opening title screen and go through all the redundant steps to get back to where you were when you died. If that isn't bad enough you're constantly asked to confirm your selections increasing the already repetitious steps. How lame is that?

It's really too bad. This game could have been very good if it weren't for the outdated design and play modes.

I, obviously, don't recommend this game. If you still wish to play it I do recommend that you take full advantage of all the 'Game Saves slots' that are available. You'll find yourself having to backtrack a lot to get out of inescapable situations.

If you liked Silent Hill 2 you'll love this one

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: January 28, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Great graphics, scary monsters, lot of puzzles, excellent game to share with family, friends.

Freakin Cool Game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: February 28, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I played this game in the dead of night and it gave me nightmares for weeks. If you like scary games and movies, you will absolutely love this game

Watch the spooky meter!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: March 10, 2003
Author: Amazon User

My cousin just recently bought this game and we already love it. You play as Miku, a young girl searching for her lost brother in a haunted mansion. Armed only with her inherited sixth sense and antique camera against the ruthless ghost. The story line draws you in from the beginning with its gorgeous graphics and creepy astrosphere. You find yourself jumping and becoming paranoid, always on the look out for another spook that would like to see Miku dead. The only drawbacks are the limited film, save points, and life preserves you find in the game. It's not really a problem just another challenge and a bit frustrating some times. This game is unique and brings some life back into the horror genre games. It's like being in a horror movie yourself. I recommend this game to anyone who likes something new, fun, or just likes to be scared.

Scariest Xbox game yet

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: March 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

wow, this game will keep u up at night!! if u haven't tried this yet, i highly recommend that u do!! No wonder this game has caught the eye of hollywood, it's scary. but just to let u know, the mansion and the rituals are the only tru things about this game, the people are made up. but still, this game is great

Scariest Xbox game yet

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: March 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

wow, this game will keep u up at night!! if u haven't tried this yet, i highly recommend that u do!! No wonder this game has caught the eye of hollywood, it's scary. but just to let u know, the mansion and the rituals are the only tru things about this game, the people are made up. but still, this game is great

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