Fatal Frame 4: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse Review

The recent installment of the Fatal Frame series and is considered to be the scariest. This game is Wii exclusive and allows a whole new experience of gameplay. The camera is back (I forgot to mention that every camera in the game is different) and this is the only game that takes place in modern times.

10 years ago, five girls were kidnapped by a Yō Haibara, a suspected serial killer, from their rooms in a mysterious sanatorium on Rougetsu Island, located south of Honshu. They were eventually rescued by Chōshirō Kirishima, a detective pursuing the criminal. Several years after the incident, two of the girls, Marie Shinomiya and Tomoe Nanamura, died mysteriously. The three remaining girls, Ruka Minazuki, Misaki Asō and Madoka Tsukimori, all now 17 years old, return to the island to recover their lost memories and find out more about their kidnapping. Chōshirō also returns to find Ruka in her mother's request.

The ritual, this time, is called Rougetsu Kagura, and uses one Priestess (called the Utsuwa), who uses the Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, and 5 Handmaidens (called Kanade). This ritual was to open the Gate to the Other Side and let the souls of the deceased pass through. There are actually two versions of the ritual. One is for tourist attraction and performed onstage, the other is the real ritual, performed underground. When the ritual failed, the ones performing the tourist version collapsed and died, while the five Kanade underground lost their memories.

Like Fatal Frame 3, you get to play 3 different characters. You play Madoka in the prologue, then switch between Ruka and Chōshirō for the remainder of the game. The game introduces the Spirit Flashlight, a flashlight that beats ghosts with the power of the moonlight. Only Chōshirō can use this weapon. Aside from the Spirit List, there is also the Doll List, you must take pictures of the 79 dolls scattered around the sanatorium and unlock costumes and other bonuses.

The graphics of the game are more than excellent, they look so real, especially the ghosts. You will creeped out every step of the way, I assure you. Again, I dare you to play this in the dark. 10/10

you should, check them out in youtube

^ I might later

fatalframer49 has the complete playlist of all the games except the 4th. if you look for the 4th, make sure to type english subbed. the original fatal frame 4 has no english dub and the subs are just fan subbed.

Now I know who is the horror fan on this site. I still wouldn't pick a camera for my weapon of choice. I'd rather have it be some holy water or crucifix, or an axe Castlevania style, but I guess the title "Fatal Frame" basically explains it all. But seriously, five girls.. out in the woods, makes me wonder what they're all doing out there.

not in the woods, in an island. they used to live there before they lost their memories. they came back to regain them. Two of them had already died at the start of the game.

I think the camera contributes to the horror factor of the game, i mean, if you have a sword or gun or whatever, it kinda gives you a feeling of security. but when you're wandering around a haunted mansion with nothing but a camera...well, you'll have to try not to pee your pants xD

i am a horror game fan, though there are some games i'd rather not play :p

scratch fatalframer49. psdru has better quality vids

I guess real girls don't cry and fight with a camera. Instead of Pokemon snap, gotta catch'em all! It's Fatal Snap, gotta kill em' all. *Snap* Woooooooh!!

Hahahahaha xDD

well, i suppose another reason why girls are the main characters, because everyone thinks that women don't have what it takes to be strong. Fortunately, everyone is mistaken :p