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Fatal Frame / Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water |OT| Pokémon Snap U: After Dark

Okay, weird. It seems the product page has disappeared from the site, but if you search for Project Zero in the search options, it still appears with a "Pre-Order" button. I just tried it and it did add a copy to the shopping basket. Whether that means you can in fact still pre-order it, or if it's a shop glitch is another matter.

Strange. I'll give it a shot and see what happens, the worst that could happen is I don't get the game and just grab it digitally.
 

kunonabi

Member
Spain isn't the only country where people speak Spanish. Especially since you're probably talking about the NA Miiverse.

I have my miiverse set to all countries so it very easily could be Spain.

@themoon

Come to think of it, in addition to the fan translation for 4, the Japanese language and uncensor patches for the Wiimake of two were Spanish as well.
 

kamineko

Does his best thinking in the flying car
Well, I just beat a playthrough (except for the bonus missions (threads))

It was OK. The leaden controls are kind of a bummer. I realize a big part of the strategy is knockback, so being super-agile would defeat the purpose, but moving just feels bad

Story didn't seem as engaging as I recall the old games being, but that could just be nostalgia.

Got a kind of whatever ending, I guess I could have made some different choices at the end. I unlocked some accessories and an outfit, but haven't tried anything out yet.
 
Up to the Fifth Drop now and I'm gonna say...This game is basically Luigi's Mansion 2 in structure except that the atmosphere is oppressive, people are getting brutally murdered in fucked up ways, and its much creepier. The core mechanic is less polished than the vacuuming but its serviceable once you get used to some finicky controls. Turning the stick sensitivity up helped me out.
 

B-Dex

Member
The budget must have been minuscule. I think there are maybe 6 locations.

Backtracking doesn't normally other me but when you're literally replaying a previous chapter as a different person it's a bit much. Especially when you return to a location yet again and like one new closet has an item in it.
 

ohlawd

Member
I finished a run too

loved it tbh. Fatal Frame can continue to be the same. gonna play this bonus chapter then play on Nightmare. Halo 5 on Monday though >_>

edit: not that many bonus chapters. can't handle that crawl animation
 
The budget must have been minuscule. I think there are maybe 6 locations.

Backtracking doesn't normally other me but when you're literally replaying a previous chapter as a different person it's a bit much. Especially when you return to a location yet again and like one new closet has an item in it.

6 locations? That's far more than earlier entires in the series then. FF1 was all set in one mansion, FF2 was set in one small village with two larger buildings and FF3 was set in one mansion in a nightmare world and in the real world in an apartment. Backtracking is basically the series' DNA by this point.
 

-shadow-

Member
And of course the fourth one played out in a mental hospital with a front, back and cave section all connected to each other and having all three character continuously replaying parts that the other already had been to.
 
And of course the fourth one played out in a mental hospital with a front, back and cave section all connected to each other and having all three character continuously replaying parts that the other already had been to.

Not played the 4th one yet but want to. I honestly love the backtracking since it makes the locations more memorable for me. Sort of like the same deal with old school Resi Evil (mansions and Raccoon City) and Silent Hill (as the title of the game says).
 

TheMoon

Member
Not played the 4th one yet but want to. I honestly love the backtracking since it makes the locations more memorable for me. Sort of like the same deal with old school Resi Evil (mansions and Raccoon City) and Silent Hill (as the title of the game says).

Backtracking and horror go hand in hand. It's a key part of playing with the familiar. "Oh I've been here before, I know this place." And boom something happens (dogs through windows). Dead Space 2 plays with that too, to a degree. That's also why Metroid games are quite creepy sometimes. Or why even a goofy game like Luigi's Mansion creates its creepiness through its setting in a single location (or several locations that you explore multiple times in the sequel).
 

B-Dex

Member
6 locations? That's far more than earlier entires in the series then. FF1 was all set in one mansion, FF2 was set in one small village with two larger buildings and FF3 was set in one mansion in a nightmare world and in the real world in an apartment. Backtracking is basically the series' DNA by this point.

And of course the fourth one played out in a mental hospital with a front, back and cave section all connected to each other and having all three character continuously replaying parts that the other already had been to.

Yes but it was always a new section of the mansion you would get to in each chapter. This game you literally replay chapters as a different person with the exact same encounters and everything. It's also a bit hilarious almost every chapter objective is find so and so because they're an idiot and went back to the place you just were. Also here is the exact same room you've searched 5 times but we put 2 new notes to find.

Narratively it makes sense they go back again and again and again but it really is bad when they make you replay an identical section encounters and all.
 

TheMoon

Member
Yes but it was always a new section of the mansion you would get to in each chapter. This game you literally replay chapters as a different person with the exact same encounters and everything. It's also a bit hilarious almost every chapter objective is find so and so because they're an idiot and went back to the place you just were. Also here is the exact same room you've searched 5 times but we put 2 new notes to find.

Narratively it makes sense they go back again and again and again but it really is bad when they make you replay an identical section encounters and all.

Okay identical encounters sounds a bit annoying.
 
Yes but it was always a new section of the mansion you would get to in each chapter. This game you literally replay chapters as a different person with the exact same encounters and everything. It's also a bit hilarious almost every chapter objective is find so and so because they're an idiot and went back to the place you just were. Also here is the exact same room you've searched 5 times but we put 2 new notes to find.

Narratively it makes sense they go back again and again and again but it really is bad when they make you replay an identical section encounters and all.
Unfortunately Fatal Frame is a franchise that's so niche that I'm not sure a single game ever broke 100k in sales when they originally launched. And we're talking games released in the massively successful PS2 and Wii, not the WiiU. So, sadly, I can't say this surprise me. A shoestring of a budget is what I expected.

As it is I'm surprised the character models and cutscenes look this good at all!
 
Looking forward to trying this once it's released in the EU, though I'll probably download the trial before opening up the LE Physical that I pre-ordered.

If it turns out to be bad I can always resell it, I suppose.
 

llehuty

Member
I saw the launch trailer yesterday on the Wii U eShop and it looked really creepy. Unfortunately, there are no physical copies on amazon or fnac left. Oh well, buying a HDD this week to get the game. (Hope I can download it in time before Halloween, kind of wished that it had the same release date than in NA).
 

TheMoon

Member
Unfortunately Fatal Frame is a franchise that's so niche that I'm not sure a single game ever broke 100k in sales when they originally launched. And we're talking games released in the massively successful PS2 and Wii, not the WiiU. So, sadly, I can't say this surprise me. A shoestring of a budget is what I expected.

As it is I'm surprised the character models and cutscenes look this good at all!

It's a miracle that Ninty even picked it up and kept it going as long as they did.
 

N° 2048

Member
Does this series age well?

Would FF1 be enjoyable nowadays? Thinking of trying the demo and going back from the start of series.
 

B-Dex

Member
Does this series age well?

Would FF1 be enjoyable nowadays? Thinking of trying the demo and going back from the start of series.

Other than the movement being painfully slow the first 3 games are still great. Xbox versions of 1 and 2 have extra content.
 
Does this series age well?

Would FF1 be enjoyable nowadays? Thinking of trying the demo and going back from the start of series.

The first game didn't age that well, the visuals are comparable to say Metal Gear Solid 2 (pretty impressive though considering it released in 2001), good looking character models and decently looking environments with muddy textures. The handling of the game works quite well even if it has some rough edges... but is probably still easier to control than say FF5.
It is also a VERY hard game, it really is an old-school quintessential survival horror game with a heavy focus on survival, choosing your encounters and preserving healing items, spirit stones (for special functions like freezing ghosts and such) and high quality film (your ammunition) is important in surviving the last third of the game. Getting high score photos (which means waiting till the ghosts attacks before hitting it with a properly aimed, fully charged shot) is important to keep getting the right upgrades for your camera and keeping up with the ghosts. While the game does run relatively well on emulators like PCSX2, it does require some work, I had to run it in software mode (native resolution) to get it to work properly (otherwise ghosts became invisible or invincible - that made for seriously scarring experiences ^^).

What it offers though is by far the scariest horror experience in the series and probably the entire horror genre (together with PT), the game relentlessly assaults you with an oppressing atmosphere and psychological horror, you'll stay tense throughout the entire game and never get breathing room to wind down and relax (by having e.g. save places like RE1 style saving rooms where nothing will happen to you). It remains one hell of a ride from beginning to the end, in the literal sense.

Fatal Frame 2, considered to be the best game in the series and one of the best survival horror games (it routinely features on the top three spots of well informed best of horror games lists) pretty much improves on all aspects of the first game (especially combat and game length), looks very good for a PS2 game (comparable to say the Gamecube Resident Evil Remake or Resident Evil 4 on PS2) and runs like a charm on emulators (meaning that you can even further improve visuals with higher resolutions and AA), has a great story and cast and is just great experience throughout. IMO everyone who cares about horror games should play it at least once, it is just that good.

It is quite a bit easier than the first game and not as unforgiving, especially on the item front (though proper management of film and upgrades is still required). It is also not relentlessly assaulting you with it's atmosphere (e.g. few random ghost encounters, quite a few open spaces and not all that scary villagers as common enemies) and not quite as a terrifying experience as the first game, though it is still one of the scariest games around, make no mistake.

I do recommend playing the two games in order though, similarly to Persona 3 and 4 there are quite some gameplay improvements that make the first game quite hard to enjoy after you played the sequel first. Both games are easy to get on emulators as well as the PS2 versions (which sell for dirt cheap on ebay thanks to a reprint in 2010) and the first three games are also available on PSN for the PS3. Both games have improved xbox versions with additional content and there was a very well done remake for Wii of Fatal Frame 2 two years ago (only available in Europe though). The remake introduces a RE4 style over-the-shoulder camera (which was already used in FF4) though, which does change the experience compared to the original RE 1-3 style fixed camera angles.
 

ohlawd

Member
JzTjH5G.jpg

aww yeah
 
Backtracking and horror go hand in hand. It's a key part of playing with the familiar. "Oh I've been here before, I know this place." And boom something happens (dogs through windows). Dead Space 2 plays with that too, to a degree. That's also why Metroid games are quite creepy sometimes. Or why even a goofy game like Luigi's Mansion creates its creepiness through its setting in a single location (or several locations that you explore multiple times in the sequel).

Well, yeah, that's why I don't understand the reviews putting the game down for "backtracking" since like you say, it's just been a part of horror games since day one, dunno what those reviewers were thinking when reviewing a survival horror game, beats me.
 

Zero83

Member
A common complaint with this game seems to be the controls. Can anyone who also played FF2 Wii Edition tell me if FF5 controls worse?
I don't think controls were an issue with FF2, but I found the game too dark and disorienting to navigate. A great game with a faboulous atmosphere, that I to this day haven't finished unfortunately.
 

kunonabi

Member
A common complaint with this game seems to be the controls. Can anyone who also played FF2 Wii Edition tell me if FF5 controls worse?
I don't think controls were an issue with FF2, but I found the game too dark and disorienting to navigate. A great game with a faboulous atmosphere, that I to this day haven't finished unfortunately.

It does play worse if you're using motion controls. They made some odd design decisions that really slow down using the gamepad as the camera. The base controls have some other minor issues like a lack of a true 180 turn as well. Some of it you probably get used to with time like knowing exactly when the game is going to kick you out of the viewfinder and when it won't let you use the gamepad to move left/right but it's never going to be quite as smooth the Wii controls. The sad thing is that they were really simple fixes that should have been caught early and certainly should have been addressed for the US release.
 
So I just watched a play through of the first half hour or so of the game. I gotta say I was really surprised at how out of place all of the female characters looked. I guess it makes sense for the first character that just wakes up in water with no idea about what's going on, but then the next two characters also just happen to be perfectly made up and came to this dusty ass flooded hotel looking like they came directly from the hair salon after a shopping trip on Omotesando even though at least one of them is an experienced ghostbuster and they should know they're going to have to crawl around and run away from ghosts. And this is just their normal outfits I haven't seen any of the bikini stuff.
 
  • The controls are pretty bad. Surprisingly it isn't the motion controls as they are somewhat reasonable, but the analog controls. I hate how the camera can only be moved so far before you reach an "edge" have to use the analog stick to move it. Moving the character is also messy as well, especially if you want to quickly turn around. This really hurts tense encounters.
  • The graphics are very nice and the game is very atmospheric.
  • It is odd that all of the characters in this game could comfortably be models.
  • It takes way too long to kill enemies via camera.
  • You can tell this game was made on a budget. The environments are small and compact. Tons of assets are reused as well. From what I've heard you also repeat a lot of areas. Wouldn't be surprised if this game only cost a few million dollars to make.
  • The game isn't that scary. It tries to be unsettling by showing cult Japanese ghost societies, but it just doesn't do it for me. Maybe this is a culture thing?
  • The game is Japanese as fuck. It's great that they include the option to play the game in Japanese because having the character speak English would just be weird. All things considered I can see why Nintendo is so hesitant to bring to heavily promote this series. It just screams "Japan!" from the top of its lungs.
  • The Wii U controller was made for this game. It is a pity that the analog controls, less than perfect motion controls, and the camera screen that doesn't take up anywhere near the entire Wii U gamepad screen, all hold it back from being something amazing.
  • The game in general is kind of boring. Way too much walking, not enough action.
 

big_z

Member
Does this series age well?

Would FF1 be enjoyable nowadays? Thinking of trying the demo and going back from the start of series.

the wii remake of 2 is the best in the series. play that one.


Yes but it was always a new section of the mansion you would get to in each chapter. This game you literally replay chapters as a different person with the exact same encounters and everything. It's also a bit hilarious almost every chapter objective is find so and so because they're an idiot and went back to the place you just were. Also here is the exact same room you've searched 5 times but we put 2 new notes to find.

Narratively it makes sense they go back again and again and again but it really is bad when they make you replay an identical section encounters and all.



for anyone that's played ff4, is black water worse than that in terms of back tracking? i didn't find four very interesting but the constant backtracking was awful.
 

ivysaur12

Banned
  • The controls are pretty bad. Surprisingly it isn't the motion controls as they are somewhat reasonable, but the analog controls. I hate how the camera can only be moved so far before you reach an "edge" have to use the analog stick to move it. Moving the character is also messy as well, especially if you want to quickly turn around. This really hurts tense encounters.
  • The graphics are very nice and the game is very atmospheric.
  • It is odd that all of the characters in this game could comfortably be models.
  • It takes way too long to kill enemies via camera.
  • You can tell this game was made on a budget. The environments are small and compact. Tons of assets are reused as well. From what I've heard you also repeat a lot of areas. Wouldn't be surprised if this game only cost a few million dollars to make.
  • The game isn't that scary. It tries to be unsettling by showing cult Japanese ghost societies, but it just doesn't do it for me. Maybe this is a culture thing?
  • The game is Japanese as fuck. It's great that they include the option to play the game in Japanese because having the character speak English would just be weird. All things considered I can see why Nintendo is so hesitant to bring to heavily promote this series. It just screams "Japan!" from the top of its lungs.
  • The Wii U controller was made for this game. It is a pity that the analog controls, less than perfect motion controls, and the camera screen that doesn't take up anywhere near the entire Wii U gamepad screen, all hold it back from being something amazing.
  • The game in general is kind of boring. Way too much walking, not enough action.

That was pretty much my thoughts too. I've never actually played a Fatal Frame game, but had heard such good things about the series (especially two). I was willing to check it out if it were maybe $30 or something, but $50 is a bit too steep for something that seemed low rent and not scary.

Also, yeah, it felt like it was taking too long to kill ghosts. And not in a fun way, more of a repetitive way.

the wii remake of 2 is the best in the series. play that one.

I can't believe that never got released here :-(
 

big_z

Member
Also, yeah, it felt like it was taking too long to kill ghosts. And not in a fun way, more of a repetitive way.



I can't believe that never got released here :-(


I haven't tried 5 yet but if its like the remake of 2 then there should be a timing/combo system in the game. they didn't explain the mechanics at all but once you figure it out killing ghosts is very quick with the exception of bosses. quite a lot of fun getting a good snap chain going as well.
 
People keep mentioning motion controls on FF5. I played through the entire "demo" and saw none of that other than the optional "aiming the camera with the gamepad" part. Am I missing something else that motion controlled?
 
  • The controls are pretty bad. Surprisingly it isn't the motion controls as they are somewhat reasonable, but the analog controls. I hate how the camera can only be moved so far before you reach an "edge" have to use the analog stick to move it. Moving the character is also messy as well, especially if you want to quickly turn around. This really hurts tense encounters.
  • The graphics are very nice and the game is very atmospheric.
    [*]It is odd that all of the characters in this game could comfortably be models.
  • It takes way too long to kill enemies via camera.
  • You can tell this game was made on a budget. The environments are small and compact. Tons of assets are reused as well. From what I've heard you also repeat a lot of areas. Wouldn't be surprised if this game only cost a few million dollars to make.
  • The game isn't that scary. It tries to be unsettling by showing cult Japanese ghost societies, but it just doesn't do it for me. Maybe this is a culture thing?
  • The game is Japanese as fuck. It's great that they include the option to play the game in Japanese because having the character speak English would just be weird. All things considered I can see why Nintendo is so hesitant to bring to heavily promote this series. It just screams "Japan!" from the top of its lungs.
  • The Wii U controller was made for this game. It is a pity that the analog controls, less than perfect motion controls, and the camera screen that doesn't take up anywhere near the entire Wii U gamepad screen, all hold it back from being something amazing.
  • The game in general is kind of boring. Way too much walking, not enough action.

Not only could they be models but they're dressed like one. Even when knowing they'll go through a creepy, muddy, swampy, and humid forest. All while wearing different variaeties of high heeled footwear. I mean the developers made a spectacular job at making these gals attractive as fuck (if only that much attention would've went into, say, the controls) but it gets to a point that it's distracting and detriment to the game's atmosphere.
 

FlyinJ

Douchebag. Yes, me.
After finishing the demo for this, I decided to give Fatal Frame 2 a serious chance.

Sorry for the thread derail, but, something I'm missing in F F 2 is the ability to switch film types while in camera mode. Is there a way to do this?
 

big_z

Member
After finishing the demo for this, I decided to give Fatal Frame 2 a serious chance.

Sorry for the thread derail, but, something I'm missing in F F 2 is the ability to switch film types while in camera mode. Is there a way to do this?

there are no modes only different attachments/lenses which might come a bit later after the game mentions it. I vaguely recall being a bit confused about this myself.
 
Not only could they be models but they're dressed like one. Even when knowing they'll go through a creepy, muddy, swampy, and humid forest. All while wearing different variaeties of high heeled footwear. I mean the developers made a spectacular job at making these gals attractive as fuck (if only that much attention would've went into, say, the controls) but it gets to a point that it's distracting and detriment to the game's atmosphere.
I think they are models, aren't they?
 
I think they are models, aren't they?

Just the one. The underage girl at the beginning that may be the only one that I can understand she'd be dressed like that since she appeared there out of nowhere. The rest decide to tackle some ghost bustin' in high heels and whatnot.
 
How would be rank the games in the series?

Not only could they be models but they're dressed like one. Even when knowing they'll go through a creepy, muddy, swampy, and humid forest. All while wearing different variaeties of high heeled footwear. I mean the developers made a spectacular job at making these gals attractive as fuck (if only that much attention would've went into, say, the controls) but it gets to a point that it's distracting and detriment to the game's atmosphere.

I also find it shocking that the main character is suppose to be 19. She looks no older than 16... And yeah it is very distracting.
 

Mzo

Member
The original game is worth playing still. I just played through it on PS2 for a podcast and really enjoyed it. It felt decidedly like Resident Evil in terms of game design. The mansion used is a great location, and I appreciated how each night weaved through it in new ways using previously hidden passageways. Much like RE, it is entirely possible to squander your resources and find yourself screwed on the 3rd night when the difficulty spikes.

I'd recommend hoarding all healing items and riding out the mirror items that refill your health to full after the point of death. They are numerous and you can only hold one at a time so you can't take them with you.
 

ohlawd

Member
I'd go

2 Wii > 5 > 3 > 1

with the sole reason I like 2 and 5's gameplay much better. I can handle the old school tank controls but I'd rather not to. I've never played OG 2 and 4.
 

Haines

Banned
A lil promo for the trial just popped up on my wiiu.

Is the trial worth playing if i probably wont end up buying the game. My girl likes scary halloween stuff.
 

kunonabi

Member
when Yuri starts crawling with that outfit on

I can't

that said, I'm surprised TK didn't lower camera angles for crawling. they couldn't go the extra mile or something

I've heard people say that camera angles in the Wiimake of 2 were removed/altered so that may have happened here as well. That could just be a load of bull though.
 
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