Fatal Frame Review (2001) "Not So Fatal!"
5Fatal Frame, titled Zero[a] in Japan and Project Zero in Europe and Australia, is a Japanese survival horror video game series created, published and developed by Koei Tecmo (originally Tecmo). Debuting in 2001 with the first entry in the series for the PlayStation 2, the series consists of five main entries. The series is set in 1980s Japan, with each entry focusing on a location beset by hostile supernatural events. In each scenario, the characters involved in the present investigation use Camera Obscura, objects created by Dr. Kunihiko Asou that can capture and pacify spirits. The series draws on staple elements of Japanese horror, and is noted for its frequent use of female protagonists.
The series was conceived by Makoto Shibata and Keisuke Kikuchi. After being introduced to the PlayStation 2 hardware and after the success of the Silent Hill series, the pair decided to develop a horror series inspired by Shibata's own spiritual experiences and popular Japanese horror films of the time. Their main goal was to make the most frightening game experience possible. Later installments have refined the gameplay mechanics while also adding more complex narrative elements.
The series has received critical acclaim, being ranked alongside other horror series including the Resident Evil and Silent Hill series, and individual games have been ranked among the best survival horror games in existence. While the sales of individual games have never been high, the series as a whole has sold over one million copies worldwide as of April 2014. Multiple Japanese media adaptations have been made, including manga and a 2014 live-action feature film.
As of 2014, the series consists of five mainline video games, not counting remakes, re-releases and spin-offs.[1] The only main Fatal Frame title yet to be released in the west is the fourth entry. While a European release was planned, it was eventually cancelled, and no North American release was planned.[2] A fan translation of the fourth game was released in 2010, which enabled the game to be played on any Wii system.[3] Outside their international releases, the Fatal Frame games are not numbered. This was due to the series' creators considering each entry to be a standalone game, with minimal connections to previous titles.[4] Since the fourth game, new Fatal Frame titles have been funded and co-developed by Nintendo, resulting in new series titles since the fourth game only appearing on Nintendo consoles except Maiden of Black Water.
The titular first entry[b] in the series was released on the PlayStation 2 in 2001 in Japan and 2002 in North America and Europe.[6][7][8] The second game, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly,[c] was released again for PlayStation 2 in 2003 in Japan and North America, and 2004 in Europe.[9][10][11] Fatal Frame III: The Tormented[d] likewise released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005 for Japan and North America, and 2006 in Europe.[12][13][14] In 2008, Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse[e] released in Japan for the Wii, and has not been released overseas.[2][15] The fifth title, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water,[f] was released for the Wii U in 2014 in Japan and 2015 in North America, Europe and Australia.[16][17][18] During Nintendo's E3 2021 Nintendo Direct, it was announced that a remaster of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water will be available later in 2021. The new version will be released on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Windows.