Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse Review
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is the fourth installment in the Fatal Frame series, which was originally released in 2008 but now finally localized in the West.
The game is set in 1980 (no smartphones!) on Rougetsu Island, a remote island in Japan that is rumored to be cursed. The player takes on the role of Ruka Minazuki, a high school girl who is searching for her missing friend, Madoka Tsukimori. As she delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the island, she discovers the truth about the island’s dark past and the curse that plagues it. Without spoilers, there are three protagonists you control, which are fixed for each chapter and you automatically switch between every chapter as you progress through the game.
One of my favorite aspects of Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is its creepy atmosphere. The game’s sound design is particularly noteworthy, as it creates an eerie and unsettling ambiance that perfectly complements the game’s horror elements. The sound effects are well done, with creaking floors, whispers, and other eerie noises that contribute to the overall feeling of dread.
The game mostly takes place in an old hospital, somewhat like an asylum, and the game is chock-full of jump-scares such as mannequins turning their head on you, or even leaving the save screen on for too long has scary faces pop up. It’s not necessarily a “scary” game though, it’s really more creepy and eerie.
It’s like an escape room game where you need to solve easy puzzles such as finding keys or a mask to progress. The game also marks on your map which key opens which door, so you don’t need to re-explore everything and you won’t find yourself getting stuck or lost thankfully. The game can be open and non-linear since there are many rooms and floors in the hospital to explore, but at the same time the game does tend to railroad you along the story path though there are extra collectables you can search for if you explore places you don’t need to.
The game’s graphics are also impressive, with remastered detailed character models and environments that are both beautiful and creepy. Not all textures in the game were re-made however, so some areas and doors look a bit old. The island itself is full of dark forests, abandoned buildings, and other spooky locales that. The game’s use of shadows is particularly effective, as it adds to the game’s overall atmosphere and creates a sense of tension and unease.
The main gameplay feature of the Fatal Frame series is its use of the Camera Obscura, a special camera that is used to capture ghosts, kind of like in Ghostbusters or Luigi’s Mansion if we’re speaking extremely broadly.
The camera’s lens is used to weaken and capture ghosts, and the game rewards the player for taking clear and well-composed shots with points, which can be spent on more camera film (this game’s ammunition), health items, or even unlocking costumes. There is a blue Spirit Power Gauge that fills as you capture more ghosts, and when it is full you will be able to perform a powerful attack called a “Fatal Frame Shot” which deals significant damage to the ghost being targeted. You can also perform a guard break which can interrupt an enemy’s attack and leave them vulnerable to counterattacks.
The camera can be upgraded with different kinds of lens as well as different kinds of film which can be found from exploring. The game enters a first-person mode when using the camera, but it’s never difficult to aim. Spirit Stones are found which allow you to upgrade the Camera Obscura’s abilities. Healing items include Herbal Medicines and Sacred Water. Sometimes you’ll need to aim your camera in first-person while exploring to be able to find optional collectable items.
There are both hostile and non-hostile ghosts. For the hostile ghosts you’ll need to take camera shots at them before they attack you, and if they grab you you’ll need to escape by moving the analog sticks otherwise you will take damage. Non-hostile ghosts are encountered randomly as you explore the hospital (some are jump-scares), and you need to take a picture of them quickly before they fade away if you want to get extra points.
Interestingly all of the enemy ghosts are uniquely named characters such as nurses, doctors and patients who were in the hospital, who you can all read about in documents you find throughout the game. The only small issue is that they do have to recycle enemies to compensate for them all being unique. The game has a list of enemies and non-hostile ghosts you can take pictures of if you’re a completionist. Enemy ghosts can also become more powerful through a process called “blooming” when they’re at low health, which you can also take a picture of.
The game does often show you where to go by showing ghosts heading in that direction so if you’re ever in doubt just follow where the ghosts are going, which is certainly much more creative than a map marker giving you directions.
The game’s story is also engaging, with a number of twists and turns that keep the player guessing until the end. The plot revolves around the island’s past and the rituals that were performed there, which are deeply rooted in Japanese mythology. The game does an excellent job of immersing the player in this world, and the various documents and diary entries that are scattered throughout the game add to the overall sense of mystery and intrigue.
The only small criticism I have is that the game should do more “show, not tell” because most of the plot is explained through documents you find and if you don’t read them I guarantee you’ll be confused at what’s going on. The game could’ve used more narrative cutscenes for the story, even if this is a survival horror game which typically don’t have many cutscenes. There are several audio tapes you can find which does have voice acting you can listen to that show pivotal parts of the story.
Another small criticism is that the game only has Japanese voice acting with English subtitles (no English dub). Still, it’s great that this game has an official English localization after 15 years and the English subtitles for the Japanese dialog flows naturally.
Sometimes the game had a habit of recycling cutscene footage, don’t get me wrong they do this to build up the hype but sometimes it became boring seeing the same play three or four times throughout the playthrough. The areas you explore are also recycled between the three protagonists you control. Again, the developers try to make it interesting by having different events play out with each protagonist exploring the same areas, but at the same time it does take you out of the game seeing the same areas.
One further issue with the game is its controls, which can be a bit clunky at times. The game uses “tank controls” (you move in a straight line, you can’t walk/run diagonally properly), which can take some getting used to and the camera can be difficult to control at times, especially in battles with hostile ghosts in cramped areas where you may not be sure what’s going on at times. It would’ve been a big plus if this remaster had improved the original game’s controls.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is an excellent remaster of the original title that’s now brought over to the West for the first time. It has a well-crafted atmosphere, engaging story, and satisfying gameplay mechanics. It’s the only game of its kind where you damage enemies by taking photos of them and is one of the most creative games out there. The game is sure to please fans of the horror genre because it does have a very different take compared to most other survival horror games such as Resident Evil or Silent Hill, and this is a must-play for anyone who enjoys exploring eerie environments. If you’re looking for a creepy and immersive gaming experience, then Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is definitely worth checking out.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse
Our Score: Good
Pros
- It’s a unique survivor horror game, where you damage enemies by taking pictures of them with a camera.
- Instead of using guns and finding ammo, you’re instead finding reels of film to use as ammo.
- Once you get into the game, the plot gets really good later on and there are good plot twists.
- The collectables in this game are interesting, there are many one-time opportunities where you can take pictures of non-hostile ghosts you encounter.
- The character designs are great and realistic, and the characters actually look Japanese just like in Shenmue or Yakuza/Like A Dragon.
- The game has a habit of telling more than showing, and you often need to read documents to understand the characters and the plot.
- There is a lack of cutscenes and some cutscenes are recycled a lot.
- Although having three playable protagonists is fun, many of the earlier areas of the game are re-used between these protagonists.
- The game certainly could’ve been much scarier. The game nails the “eerie” atmosphere, but it’s not necessarily scary and many enemy/bosses look adorable instead of intimidating.
– Brandon Harris
Reviewed on Playstation 5
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