FATAL FRAME / PROJECT ZERO: Maiden of Black Water Reviews

i want ren hojo missionary so i can see his glasses fog up

It has such a great story istg

girl she moves way too chill for the situation that she's in

Love the outside feel of this game in compare to the other fatal frame game! :3

Having just played through all of the Fatal Frame games in order, I have to say this is by far my least favorite of the franchise. While the story is decent and the graphics are obviously high quality(which is not to say better), the overall experience of playing this game has left a sour taste in my mouth. It is so bad that it has negatively impacted my enjoyment of the series as a whole. The combat is so atrociously busy and such a far removal from the first few games that it fully removes what immersion the horror elements have given you. There is also just way too much of it. Too many ghosts to fight, not enough ghosts to scare. By the end of the game I was so tired of fighting the exact same ghosts over and over that I would just run past them to try to get to the next area. This has been the most sexually explicit of the Fatal Frame games. The models are so gooner-centric that it reduced my overall enjoyment of the experience. While I appreciate some level of sexualization in horror, as it can enhance the grotesqueries on display, this game takes it too far in the sexual direction. Some cleavage is nice, some thigh is nice, seeing it all over the place is not. I will take particular note of the loli-dolls and the chest and leg they have exposed. Just too much, although they did make me uncomfortable I feel that it was not a squick that I wanted in my Fatal Frame. FINALLY. The very last segment with the purple sex ninja was just disgusting pandering that had absolutely no place in a Fatal Frame game. Whatever executive green lit or pushed for this deserves to lose all shares in whatever soul-less blood sucking corpo structure they have grafted their soul to, and I hope their parents are as disappointed in them as I am. This is of course assuming they have parents and were not birthed in some primordial shareholder-value soup. -Brief research has shown this was pushed by Nintendo, so of course it is vile and disgusting behavior and I should not at all be surprised. This final inclusion is so horrifically awful that I am glad that I never have to play a Fatal Frame game again. It is that bad. The developers should be ashamed, the players who gave them money should be ashamed, and I would say that Nintendo should be ashamed but of course Nintendo executives are incapable of human emotion. 0/10. Do not play.

Ah yes, yet another classic Tecmo entry - a game that looks great and plays like ####. Fatal Frame is such a missed opportunity. An interesting premise that is largely let down by frustrating, clunky, tedious gameplay. Decades ago I was able to tolerate and somewhat enjoy Fatal Frame 2, but in 2025 I can no longer play games with such terrible controls and horrible camera sensitivity. Not when we have far better alternatives. Outside of its clunky controls, the game has a tendency to sometimes become incredibly confusing in terms of knowing what exactly you have to do. I spent way too much time figuring out how to exit the doll house / shrine with Haruka, because I exited from the back door instead of the front - and you cannot walk around the house. This was the straw that broke this old camel's back. I am so annoyed at this game that I can't even recommend it on sale. Avoid and do not expect any greatness from this game. Anything good that this whole series may have had ended with Fatal Frame 2.

Fatal Frame / Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water delivers a haunting and immersive survival horror experience that stands out within the genre thanks to its unique mechanics and deeply atmospheric storytelling. Developed by Koei Tecmo, this installment builds upon the series’ signature blend of psychological horror and supernatural investigation, inviting players to explore the eerie and fog-shrouded Mount Hikami. The game crafts a palpable tension from start to finish, mixing exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat with ghostly encounters that keep you on edge throughout the journey. One of the most distinctive features of Maiden of Black Water is the Camera Obscura, a mystical camera that serves as your primary weapon against hostile spirits. This mechanic turns combat into a tense, almost ritualistic experience, where timing and positioning are critical. Instead of relying on traditional weapons, players must summon their courage and capture ghosts with the camera’s lens, revealing their true forms and purging them from the world. This approach adds a layer of strategy and immersion rarely seen in horror games, as each ghost requires different techniques and approaches, and the risk of getting too close is always looming. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of three protagonists, each with their own motivations and connections to the haunted mountain, creating a multi-layered story filled with mystery and tragic pasts. This structure enriches the storytelling, allowing players to uncover the dark history of Mount Hikami piece by piece while experiencing different facets of the haunting. The writing does a commendable job balancing suspense with emotional depth, humanizing the characters and making their plight feel personal amid the supernatural chaos. Graphically, the game excels at creating an oppressive and eerie atmosphere. The environments are richly detailed, drenched in shadows and heavy fog that obscure vision and heighten unease. The sound design complements this perfectly, with unsettling ambient noises, distant whispers, and sudden bursts of spectral screams that ratchet up the tension. The use of lighting and weather effects not only serves the narrative but also impacts gameplay, as the fog can conceal lurking dangers and force you to rely on your camera and instincts. Despite these strengths, Maiden of Black Water has a few drawbacks. Some players may find the pacing uneven, with certain segments feeling slow due to backtracking or puzzle-solving that interrupts the tension. The game’s controls and camera angles, particularly in tight spaces, can occasionally be clunky, which may detract from the immersion. Additionally, the combat mechanics, while unique, might feel repetitive over time, especially for those accustomed to more action-oriented horror titles. However, these issues do not overshadow the game’s overall impact. Fatal Frame’s ability to blend psychological horror with a compelling narrative and innovative gameplay sets it apart. The emotional weight carried by the characters and the haunting beauty of Mount Hikami create an experience that lingers long after the credits roll. For fans of atmospheric horror and those seeking a game that combines genuine scares with thoughtful storytelling, Maiden of Black Water is a memorable journey into darkness that rewards patience and bravery. In conclusion, Fatal Frame / Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water offers a rich, immersive horror adventure that leverages its unique camera combat and layered storytelling to deliver a chilling experience. While not without flaws in pacing and controls, its haunting atmosphere, emotionally driven narrative, and inventive gameplay mechanics make it a standout title for horror enthusiasts. It invites players not only to confront ghosts but also to explore the shadows of human emotions and regrets, making it much more than just a ghost story. Rating: 8/10

slow ass cutscene EVERY SINGLE TIME you open a door but you can take pictures of ghosts feet so 10/10 would recommend