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intereact!Retail Price (not our price): $83.11
Manufacturer: Tecmo
Format: Video Game
Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
1) Product Description
MANUFACTURER WARRANTY:andnbsp;andnbsp;30 DAYS2) Amazon.co.uk Review
With a couple of exceptions, the PlayStation2 has been starved for quality survival horror games. Thank goodness then for the arrival of Fatal Frame, with its mix of Japanese mythology, atmospheric graphics, and freaky sound effects. The game tells the tale of a young girl searching for her missing brother in a cursed mansion--all fairly straightforward stuff. Fans of the genre will feel right at home as the backstory is quickly filled out, allowing the process of ghost hunting to begin--and unlike the comic lunacy of the GameCube's Luigi's Mansion, the spooks and specters here are of a very adult nature. Screaming and moaning accompany the arrival of the ghosts, and they don't shut up until they're "killed"--an act that requires a camera. Fatal Frame eschews pistols and shotguns in favor of a celluloid-death approach, which makes sense given the fact that the opposition are well beyond the living to begin with. In camera mode, the heroine's faithful Box Brownie pops up in a first-person style and it's necessary to keep the ghoul within the focusing reticule in order to drain maximum power from it. It sounds a little lame, but in practice it works well and is an effective way of explaining just how to "shoot" ghosts. The plot development is nicely done, and there are a host of puzzles to solve that are well balanced and never get too tough, but it's the graphics and sound work that really make Fatal Frame special. Cutscenes are rendered in a variety of styles designed to increase the tension, and the sparse soundtrack works wonders when it kicks in. While it's not the strongest title in the PS2's gaming arsenal, it'll certainly keep survival horror fans busy until the next installment of Silent Hill rolls around--remember, though, it's best played with the sound up loud, in the dark, on your own... --Chris Russell3) Amazon.com Product Description
Fatal Frame, a horror-adventure game, leaves its victims breathless as they become immersed in a world of supernatural spirits and sheer terror. Guided by her sixth sense and armed only with an antique camera, Miku sets out to solve the mystery of her brother's sudden disappearance. As the story unfolds, she discovers gruesome details about the Himura mansion's troubled past. The property and surrounding area have a dark history involving grisly murders, an evil cult, and restless spirits.
Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
1) High 5! [Rating: 5 out of 5]
This game is probably one of the scariest games out there! But I love it because it's so intense every time you play! Once you start, it's hard to stop playing. My mom always gets angry at me whenever I play it for too long. Haha! Even though it's only a one player game, it's always fun to watch it! It's like a scary movie that you can't escape from! BWAHAHAHAHA!!! You never know what could happen the first time you play it. And even the second or third time you play, it never gets old!2) not for everybody [Rating: 3 out of 5]
I guess I gonna get a lot of negative votes for this review.But I feel like I need to put my thoughts about this game in here.So many people are calling Fatal frame games scary!Personally I saw nothing terribly scary, only the constantly dark boring environment and a bunch of ghosts.I am not going to compare this game with the other horrors, since that would mean I am "promoting" another title, which I dont want to do.Everybody has different tastes and different views on things. I am a big survival horror fan ,so I was determined to get all of games of that type, luckily I have bought FF1 and FF3 together,without spending more money on another part 1.The first ten minutes of playing I was excited by everything - the first ghost, the athmosphere, the animations.But the more I wandered in the house the faster my excitement wore off.Also, when I tried the 3rd FF game, I was disappointed by how familiar it looked with the first part!Everything looked just the same, still some dark boring house, those ghosts..only the main character was different.I never finished any of these games.I just couldnt play anymore, this is how they bored me.I guess its just not my type of horror, since I dont share the japanese view on horror movies and such.Personally for me, FF lacked action, interaction and some differences in surroundings for a change... Overall I rate this game 3 stars, for innovative idea with ghosts and photocameras, for the graphics and for the story.3) The Scariest Game of All Time [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I just bought this game on Friday, August 10, 2007 and let me tell you I haven't been addicted to a game like this one in a long time. The story is well written and the game play itself is great the controls are easy alot better than Silent Hill 2 & 3. The atmosphere is pure evil in the mansion and the cut scenes are very scary. When I play this game at night I am terrified and I'm 25 years old. When the ghost attack and get a hold on me I literally get chills on my legs and i'm not lying I do! I also bought Fatal Frame 2 and 3 at a used game store. So if you like scary games with awesome storylines then this is the game for you.4) Say cheese....or just stand there and moan [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Anyone who's ever enjoyed being scared out of their wits by a good horror movie can appreciate the creepy pleasure of a game like Fatal Frame. Considered by some to be the scariest game ever made (sorry, Silent Hill), it's a worthy example of modern J-horror -- that subgenre of raven-haired ghost women and unsettling sound effects that's been so lucrative in Hollywood lately. (See: The Ring, The Grudge, Pulse, etc.) Alfred Hitchcock would have approved of the Japanese horror tradition, which relies heavily on suspense, build-up, and slow realization. In a way, it works even better in a video game because you're the one walking down that dark hallway, nerves on edge, awaiting the inevitable scare. And Fatal Frame is nothing if not scary.The setting of the game is quintessentially frightening: a vast, decaying old mansion somewhere in the Japanese countryside, formerly owned by the mysterious Himura family but now abandoned. (Something about an evil cult and bloody moonlit rituals...the usual.) The player assumes the role of Miku Hinasaki, a doe-eyed young woman with (of course) psychic powers who comes to the Himura mansion searching for her brother, Mafuyu. Mafuyu, in turn, was hunting for his mentor, renowned novelist Junsei Takamine, who came to the mansion to research his latest book, accompanied by his assistant and editor. The trio vanished without a trace, and now, so has Mafuyu. If Miku doesn't want to be added to the list of disappearences, she's going to have to think fast and run faster. Fortunately, in the entrance hall of the mansion she finds the one thing Mafuyu brought with him: a battered old camera. Turns out the camera has the ability to harness and absorb supernatural energy, or something, which makes it an effective weapon against angry ghosts -- good thing, because the mansion is crawling with them. Herein lies the true brilliance of Fatal Frame: instead of fighting by conventional means, your survival depends on you taking photos, and good ones at that. The phrase "killer shot" takes on a whole new meaning.Gameplay is very straightforward. As Miku, you wander and explore the many rooms, passageways, and grounds of the Himura mansion, revealing new areas on the simple but well-designed game map. Scattered here and there are helpful items such as film, health restoratives, and mystical "Spirit Stones" that enable your camera to perform special functions. You'll also find a variety of clues -- news clippings, cassette tapes, journal pages, fragments of research notes -- that shed light on the sordid history of the Himura family and the fates of those who came before you. A handy device called a filament throbs and pulses when you're near an important supernatural clue, or when a ghost is close. When ghosts appear -- which they will, very frequently -- it's time to enter the first-person camera mode and start snapping. Getting good photos hinges on getting the ghost in the middle of the frame; the longer you can "center" the ghost, the better your score and the more damage done. Some ghosts merely flicker and fade away, but others will actively try to kill you. Taking wild, random shots will only deplete your film; you need to have strong nerves and a steady hand. Besides defeating the ghosts, good photos will earn you points that you can use to upgrade your camera's basic performance and unlock bonus features. It's a good system, and one that makes the game unique.The design of the game is very low-key, but therein lies its success. Himura mansion is a wonderfully creepy edifice, the gloomy Japanese architecture and crumbling plaster rife with menace. Your flashlight surrounds you with deep pools of shadow, and the outside world seems like a dream. As with much of J-horror, the sound design is particularly effective: creaks, thuds, whispers, clatterings, distant voices and unsettling mechanical throbs will have you simultaneously straining to hear and wishing you didn't have to. The few snatches of music are low and ominous. The ghosts are quite scary; with twisted faces and glaring eyes, they waver and slither and flicker into sight before lunging at you like snakes. Some ghost attacks are distinctive and advance the plot, but many are simply randomized to keep you on your toes as spirits that you thought you vanquished come back for more. (That chick with the broken neck just won't give up!) The backstory is rather convoluted, and piecing together the clues into a coherent narrative can make your head spin, but it's worth it as you gradually realize that what's been happening at the Himura mansion is much, much more disturbing than just ghosts. The game has some puzzle-solving elements, mainly revolving around the unlocking of doors. For instance, take a picture of a locked door and you may see, in the developed photo, a completely different location where you'll need to photograph an elusive ghost to unlock the door. The puzzles aren't too hard, but they will make you think a bit, which is nice.A couple quick tips. First, fleeing from ghosts is pointless. Not only is Miku's "run" downright pathetic, but the ghosts will float through walls and follow you doggedly until you face them. Better to get the fight over with quickly. Second, save often! There are several save points scattered throughout the mansion. Memorize their locations so you can run to the nearest one after anything important happens. If you get killed, you'll have to repeat everything you just did, and who wants that? Thirdly and very importantly, DON'T WASTE FILM! You'll be surprised at how quickly it vanishes once you've got it. If you run out, you'll have to backtrack and scour the mansion for more rolls of film hidden in drawers and cupboards and the like. If you have no film and you meet a violent ghost, you're basically screwed. I've learned this the hard way -- don't make the same mistake! I don't care how pretty something looks; film should only be used for ghosts and important clues.How scary you'll find Fatal Frame depends on what frightens you as an individual. Personally, I find the game "fun scary" rather than "keep-me-up-all-night scary," but I imagine that many people will be more affected and choose to play a ghost-free game instead. However, if you enjoy thrills and chills and want a game with an expert design and an innovative combat system, you could do a lot worse than Fatal Frame. I can't wait to get my hands on the sequels.5) The Blair Witch Of Japan? [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Himuro Mansion. Humans check in, but they don't check out. Welcome to Hell on Earth, Himuro Mansion, where a 100 year-old curse has claimed the lives of the entire family that once lived there. Most recently a journalist named Junsei Takamine, (man I hate trying to pronounce these Japanese names), goes to the mansion to do research for his latest book along with two partners when they mysteriously disappear. Then Mafuyu Hinasaki, a pupil of Takamine's goes to the mansion to find his mentor...only to disappear as well. The main character is Mafuyu's younger sister Miku, who is now on a mission to find her brother and possibly even end the curse once and for all. Armed with a strange camera called the "Camera Obscura", which has the power to trap ghosts by taking their pictures, Miku travels the haunted halls of Himuro Mansion in search of answers. Being a ghost hunter and a gamer I had to try this title when it came to PS2 and, lo and behold, it became my favorite survival/horror game. The ghosts are pretty scary and they will pop out at you from nowhere. Most ghosts must be defeated while others simply test your speed with the camera. Either way,it's always a heart thumper. The creepiest part of this game though, is that it's supposedly based on a true story, but I'm not sure how accurate that is. It has since spawned two sequels: Fatal Frame II:Crimson Butterfly in which you are no longer confined to a single building but get to scour an entire haunted village, and now Fatal Frame III:The Tormented, which features the return of Miku. The most exciting part however is that Dreamworks is working on a movie adaptation of this popular series. Let's hope it turns out good. Close the curtains, turn out the lights and prepare for a fright fest. But whatever you do, don't play Fatal Frame alone!