Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse was initially released exclusively for the Wii in 2008. Like Maiden of the Black Water, KOEI TECMO is bringing a remastered version to modern platforms. I recently had the opportunity to try out this remaster on PC, and in this preview, I’ll share my thoughts on the game.
Presentation
The game’s strongest point is undoubtedly its presentation. This dark, eerie, and confined horror game has remained timeless thanks to its smart lighting and strong art direction. The remaster upgrades the character models, texture quality, and effects, making them feel both true to the original and more contemporary.
Enhanced Environments and Lighting
The game boasts impressive animation quality and no noticeable aliasing, even by today’s standards. However, some textures feel inconsistent, particularly on the walls. It can be a bit jarring to see highly detailed characters next to low-resolution textures, especially with the new lighting style.
Sound and Atmosphere
The soundtrack is both creepy and melodic, making it perfect for getting lost in those narrow corridors with headphones on. Sudden and loud sound effects can startle you, keeping you alert. When you interact with the environment, the camera zooms in, heightening the tension.
Gameplay and Camera Obscura
In Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, you explore various parts of Rogetsu Isle as different characters, searching for items that advance the story. You’ll find books, newspaper clippings, and other documents that fill in gaps in your memory and expand the island’s lore.
It’s somewhat similar to Resident Evil, but the unique element here is the “Camera Obscura.” This special camera lets you exorcise spirits by taking their pictures. As you explore haunted locations, spirits will appear in both cutscenes and gameplay. Just snapping a picture isn’t enough; you need to manage your distance and angles, waiting for the right moment to take the shot. This mechanic adds a fun, action-oriented twist to the game.
Claustrophobic Camera Mechanics
Using the Camera Obscura increases the game’s already tight, claustrophobic feeling. The spirits are varied in design and are thoughtfully placed within the game’s locations, adding to the mystery of the island. For instance, a Nurse spirit will only appear in the Mental Ward, making the experience more cohesive and immersive.
Controls
Originally designed for the Wii, the game’s controls can feel a bit restrictive. Your character moves very slowly, and sprinting doesn’t seem to do much aside from slightly increasing your animation speed. Quick turns require pressing the analog sticks, which is helpful, but general camera movement can feel unresponsive. Despite these issues, the controls in this remaster are an improvement over the original Wii version, and using a modern controller is a significant upgrade.
Conclusion
Overall, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a slow-paced game that may not appeal to everyone. However, if you’re a fan of horror games, it’s definitely worth checking out. The intriguing story and non-linear narrative add layers to the mystery, making it a compelling experience.