Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water

This port of the clever and under-appreciated Wii U J-Horror game might feel a little old, but is a terrific example of a familiar genre given a unique spin.

An effectively creepy atmosphere combined with an intriguing story and unique combat, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is well worth picking up. It can slog some when it forces you to revisit the same areas that you just saw and the movement is clunky and awkward, but those can't sink the rest of the enterprise into the mire.

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a disturbing tale well told. While the GamePad brings the series’ camera-as-a-weapon concept to life in a way that feels very natural, the combat lacks real mechanical variety, which, combined with overly repetitive encounters, undermines the impact of its most terrifying enemies. Fortunately, there’s an abundance of darkness to be found, with some of the most unsettling and stylish scares I’ve experienced in a while.

As should probably be expected of what's basically a port of the Wii U version, this iteration of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water offers a decidedly average horror experience. The story of Mt. Hikami and those tied to it is rather intriguing, and it is able to create a heavy, disquieting and even chilling atmosphere at times. The fundamentals of combat are strong too, but the entire experience is undermined by pervasive slowness and a not-so-great English dub. Fatal Frame fans will likely enjoy it regardless, as will those looking for a subtler horror game to play for Halloween. For everyon...

Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water (or Fatal Frame) brings a supernatural story to all platforms this Halloween, but a multitude of factors keep the game from reaching its full potential.

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water may not have been the best entry to remaster but it still does a solid enough job delivering a chilling enough experience with unique combat.

Fatal shame.

By the time I discovered the Fatal Frame series it was near impossible to find copies of the first three games on PlayStation 2 anywhere. No one wanted to part with these niche Japanese horror games for a price that was compatible with my wallet. The Wii U’s Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water coming to current gen consoles as a port did pique my interest, and I finally a chance for me to experience this popular franchise myself.

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a genuine disappointment, and easily the weakest entry in the series to date. With big holiday season games like Star Fox Zero delayed to next year, the Wii U could ill afford a flop, but that seems likely for Fatal Frame. Featuring a plot filled with illogical characters, gameplay bogged down by sluggish controls and combat, and a severe inability to scare, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water simply does not live up to the legacy of its predecessors.

Nintendo seemed hesitant to bring Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water overseas, and I’m sure it’ll be monitoring how it sells to gauge interest. Twelve-year-old me would be upset with this review, and he’d blame that asshole Zack Furniss for condemning the series to death with a damning review. He’d be in the comments below telling me that I wasn’t playing it right, or that it wasn’t my type of game. All I would have to say to him is this:

Ultimately Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water ends up being a boring slog more often than a tense horror experience. The remaster will likely be welcomed by fans of the series, especially those that never had a Wii U to check out the original. However, any future Fatal Frame titles will have to evolve to feel at home in modern times.

Koei Tecmo’s Fatal Frame (or Project Zero as it’s known in my part of the world) is a rare franchise, for the last few instalments the games have been mostly exclusive to Japan and when this happens fans look forward to seeing the franchise make a glorious return. We had a seen a small spin off game a couple of years back for the 3DS but Spirit Camera was not the same, fans needed a true new game and Koei Tecmo delivered. It was a moment of excitement when Maiden of Black Water was announced, and even more so when it was revealed the game was headed our way as a Wii U exclusive and I must say ...