Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Fatal Frame IV Review

This was a pro review I did for Neoseeker.com. The review can be found here: http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/fatal_frame_4/

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If anyone was still wondering whatever happened to the Fatal Frame series after the third game on the PlayStation 2, then you're sure to be disappointed. Zero: Tsukihami no Kamen -- aka Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse -- was never released outside of Japan. While it was hinted at multiple times of having an overseas release, Nintendo eventually decided against it.

But have no fear: a group of hardcore Fatal Frame fans have released an unofficial patch which allows owners of the actual disk to play the game with full English subs, simultaneously circumventing the Wii's pesky region lock. Patch in hand, we got to work.

Although it's been quite a few years since the release of Fatal Frame III, not a large amount has changed really. You still play as a variety of different characters with most of the cast consisting of dainty female teenagers, though a manly journalist is thrown in the mix, so it's not all female eye candy. The mechanics are still the same as in previous games: you find the Camera Obscura -- a magical camera with the power to exorcise ghosts -- and you make your way through creepy environments snapping shots of ghosts to vanquish them.
Not all ghosts are hostile. Here and there you spot spirits who drift past or slam their face on the window to scare the living bejesus out of you; if you take a photo, the ghost is added to your ghost list and you can read up on what their story is.
Just like Pokemon, trying to catch 'em all is something that adds a lot of re-playability to the game, since if you miss one you generally don't have a lot of chances to snap him or her again -- those spirits can glide ridiculously fast.
In addition to the ghost list, there are 79 Hozuki Dolls in red kimonos scattered throughout the game. As with the spirits, if you miss one you'll usually have to wait through a second playthrough to snap one again. Collecting dolls and completing your ghost list gives you additional costumes and lenses and yes, the costumes do include sexy nurse and maid costumes.

Just like the previous games, Fatal Frame IV still retains its cold, creepy atmosphere and dark tone the series is so well known for. The game takes place ten years after various obscene rituals occurred on Rougetsu Island (meaning "Hazy Moon Island") revolving around several girls. Three of them make their way back to the island and you control them one by one, exploring a few locations throughout. At times you'll explore the same place several times with different characters, or you'll explore places you couldn't access before. In any case, there's quite a bit to explore and a lot to see.







The game really does look fantastic and the art style is old-fashioned and fitting to the Fatal Frame theme; it's easily one of the best looking Wii games out there. The locations are dark and the flashlight lights up every creepy corner; wind breezes down empty hallways, blowing curtains back and forth eerily; the sound effects and lack of music create a true feeling of loneliness.
The controls take things a few steps back. After playing a game like Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Fatal Frame IV's controls feel cumbersome. For starters, you don't look around by pointing the Wiimote, rather, you tilt it to look up and down; movement is controlled by the analog stick; if you want to do a 180 degree turn, you shake the controller or nunchuck. Unfortunately, you turn and run ridiculously slowly, so most of the time it feels like you're controlling a tank and not a high school student. You'll find yourself running around and getting lost a lot, or you'll find a door which needs a key which happens to be on the other side of the mansion -- not much fun when you move so slowly.

To find items, you now have an Item Filament meter at the bottom right of your screen. What it does is light up when you get closer and closer to an item of interest, though you have to be directly in line with that item and it won't glow until your flashlight beam hits it. Picking up items is as suspenseful as it gets: rather than hit A on an item and see it pop up in your inventory, you have to hold the button and watch your character slowly crouch down and reach out to it. Most of the time it's nothing, but the odd item will be a trap and a ghost will pop out and grab your arm suddenly, forcing you to shake your Wiimote to get it off. You know a shiny on the ground at the bottom of a bed just equals trouble, yet it's still fun slowly reaching out for it only to find a ghost child sitting next to you.
The Camera Obscura is the main weapon on hand, and with it combat is easily one of the most satisfying aspects of Fatal Frame IV. The mechanics sound simple, but you actually have to wait until the ghost gets right in your face before taking a shot or else you won't be doing much damage. Experience you get from battles goes towards upgrades for your camera. For example, later on when you play as the manly detective, you drop the camera for a magical flashlight which allows you go into first person mode and fire laser beams from it. The flashlight draws power from the moon; how much is present is indicated by a meter.

Despite a few flaws with the controls, the game is thoroughly enjoyable and most survival-horror fans will feel right at home. It's scary, and there's definitely something enjoyable about jogging down windy, quiet hallways as the floorboards beneath your feet creak. The odd ghost will pop out and most likely cause you to leap out of your seat or cuss loudly in terror. The enemy design is impressive; the ghosts genuinely look creepy and you can often tell from first glance what profession they undertook in their previous life, such as maidservantry or nursing.







Fans of the series will settle in once they get their head around the new control scheme; the horror and general creepiness of the series is definitely still there. Newcomers will still enjoy themselves, although it may be a bit hard to get into at first, as the plot is thick with flashbacks, conspiracies and a crazy amount of journals to collect. It really is a shame Fatal Frame IV was never released outside of Japan, especially given its large cult following from the fantastic previous three games. If you can get your hands on a Japanese copy of the game, download the free English patch and be prepared to get scared.

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