Game: Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water (Europe) / Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water (North America)
If you’re a fan of the horror genre when it comes to games, this could be a (frighteningly) fun one for you.
The story centres around Mt. Hikami which has an infamous reputation of being a popular suicide spot. The mountain as well as its neighbouring areas are rumoured to be haunted by spirits of the suicide victims. Some of the more malicious spirits are said to be able to entice weaker minds who visit the mountain, into committing suicide.
You as a player get to control three different characters throughout the various chapters of the game, exploring the surrounding areas of the mountain, collecting clues to progress the story, whilst being confronted by ghosts. You’re armed with a special camera (camera obscura) which you use to fend off malicious spirits by taking their photos, as the camera flash deals damage. With enough damage, the spirts will be exorcised. The camera is also a useful tool for finding clues by taking photos of locations and objects of interest as you progress through the game. For people who like customising weapons, you’ll find joy in being able to “pimp out” the camera obscura with various attachments and upgrades. From a game mechanics point of view, I’m not the biggest fan of the camera obscura, though I’m sure many will find the charm in it. There’s just something about wielding a sword or blasting through with a double barrel shotgun that’s always stuck with me. But this is not that sort of game, so I do get the point of the camera obscura here, as a sort of multitool.
You will also find various items around the map such as healing elixirs and camera attachments that will be useful throughout the game. You’ve also got the option of buying these items at the start of each chapter with points you would have collected playing previous chapters.
When it comes to the horror aspect, the game most definitely delivers. The atmosphere is ominous and unsettling right from the start. The pace is slow moving, but that goes well with the atmosphere. So, while it may lack the action other games in the genre can offer, the adrenaline spikes come from the various jump scares and other tropes from horror movies (particularly J-horror). You basically get to be part of a slowly unravelling Japanese horror movie. Switch of the lights, put some headphones on, have a change of underwear ready and enjoy!
