An absolutely shit-scary game for the PS2 and
Xbox (also known as Project Zero in Europe) which has two sequels and a cult following.
The original focuses around Miku, a college student who goes to a mansion to find her missing
brother. What she discovers is that there are ghosts in the mansion, and the only thing which stands between her and them is Camera Obscura, a camera (no surprises there, then) which can seal ghosts in the photographs it takes.
The game itself is very, very atmospheric, and makes you jump endlessly. The story slowly unfolds through notes, diaries, newspaper clippings, etc. The
history of the mansion holds a dark secret: Many secretive rituals took place there.
The game takes several influences from
Asian horror films such as Ringu and Ju-On. You can't
help but notice the similarties between some of these films and the game -
creepy women in white kimonos with long
hair, scenes to make you jump, but the game is all the
better for it.
This game manages to stand out amoungst the other games in the genre by showing original combat and by being genuinely
creepy. The main thing that
may put players off is the unoriginal conrols and 'find a key, unlock the
door, solve a puzzle' approach. But it is definitely a very scary game.
Apparently, there is also a film in the making. Unless it's directed by Uwe Boll, this could be extremely good.
Fatal Frame has a large amount of devout followers globally, who say that this is the best survival horror game of any kind.
Personally, I think this game is somewhat scarier than Resident Evil and Silent Hill put together, but maybe not as entertaining as the other main games of the genre. But that's just my personal
opinion, and I'm sure there are plenty of
people out there who would disagree with me.
But if you do want a game that will actually SCARE you, then try and find this or one of the sequels.
