Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse Reviews
The same goes for some of the ghosts, with certain encounters like the sadistic child Ayako repeating several times with multiple characters, which tends to get annoying after the third occurrence or so. Fans of Fatal Frame who want to experience this lost title in the series will likely find enough atmosphere and story to keep their interest, but newcomers may find some of the game's shortcomings to be a turnoff as their first experience. That being said, you can put a hat on your character that's a big Camera Obscura, so in a way, maybe it all balances out in the end.
Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is by no means a mainstream horror game, is the point that I’m making through this review. However, it is incredible. In the context of the broader Project Zero series, it’s going to be fondly remembered. It’s hard to look past Project Zero 2 as the masterpiece of the series, but the intensity of the atmosphere and strength of the narrative in this one means that this one isn’t far behind. More importantly, however, is that in 2023 this is one of those surprisingly rare attempts at a Japanese horror game, as opposed to a horror game made by Japanese developers. They’re different things, and this game is not only an excellent piece of entertainment, but it is also an enormously useful resource for anyone that wants to understand the aesthetics of horror outside of the western mainstream.
Fatal Frame: Mask of Lunar Eclipse is a game that needs some technical tweaks in the gameplay, but overall it delivers a good story, beautiful graphics and an atmosphere of tension that I haven't felt since Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly. What Maiden of Black Water failed to bring in its return to Sony consoles, this title did.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a great opportunity for both series and genre devotees and young horror fans alike to get the industry back on a path that isn't consumed by cheap copycats.
Review in Greek | Read full review
The preservation of video games is a positive outcome, but this chapter of the renowned horror series is the safest and least exciting.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
To sum it all up, Fatal Frame/Project Zero The Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a wonderful game to enjoy, be it your first time or every successive run as you go for full completion. The gameplay is great, the atmosphere really draws you in and leaves a great mark on you, and the visuals on the areas are well done, all wrapped up in one great package. In the immortal words of Joe Bob Briggs, “Four stars, check it out!”.
While its predecessor had the elements of a creepy good time present, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse brings it all together
Driven to finally understand their past, several characters go back to where a horrific history has played out. Horror fans can enjoy a remaster of a beloved game series for a new generation of consoles, but they will have to struggle through the repetitive, slow and stuttering gameplay. And moreover, be willing to turn a blind eye because of the technically unimpressive environments and emotionally deprived characters.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
With a spectacular staging that will undoubtedly please all fans of Japanese horror, we finally get Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse. Despite being a remastering, it is not a big change from the Wii version.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse has always been seen as somewhat of a black sheep of the series as the only title that hadn’t seen an international release. Now that it has, when compared to the other main titles in titles it just feels a little uninspired in the gameplay aspect. That said, it is held together by one of the stronger narratives presented in the franchise. It has some rough textures and an even rougher opening few hours but once you wade through them it’s a textbook Project Zero title almost to a fault. For series newcomers, I would suggest starting with this one and then going into Maiden of Blackwater due to the many gameplay improvements you'll find there. But as a standalone title, it’s a slightly above-average game with a fantastic story.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is top-notch survival horror and an easy recommendation of the genre. With a very polished Japanese horror setting and a very thought-provoking plot, the fourth game in the Fatal Frame franchise is an experience that sticks in the head and can even keep anyone who dives deep into the game awake at night.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is made up of mostly good quality photos. The game itself is fun and solid, delivering a competent story and unusual and addictive combat. Exploration and puzzle solving are also strengths, as are the positives brought about by the remastering process. Unfortunately, it didn't rid the game of some very ugly textures and confusing gameplay when trying to control the characters and their lanterns. It also doesn't help that exploration is somewhat slow and plot development requires a lot of reading. Although a remake would perhaps have been a better option, these problems do not compromise the experience, especially for fans of the genre or those who were very curious about this unique and competent proposal.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Survival horror fans, and fans of the broader Fatal Frame series, will find a lot to like about the remake of Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse after the over a decade-long wait. The classic photography-based gameplay and story of Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse make it one of the best in the series, and, with any luck, further Fatal Frame remakes or a continuation of the series will result from this release.
While some aspects of the gameplay and exploration disappointed me, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is an unsettling journey through a haunted island that I found much more enjoyable than Maiden of Black Water.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse's English localization has cleaned-up visuals, effective Camera Obscura gameplay, and gyro aiming support on PS5, but the grainy look, confusing story, and dated controls are drawbacks.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is an excellent installment of this popular series. The changes made to bring the game to the next generation consoles (and to bring it to the world) are successful. The only downside is the pixelated floor and wall textures when we are close. A modernization of the controls would have been appreciated since it is very difficult to be precise. Fatal Frame IV has a very interesting storyline with a lot of details. Once you have adapted to the controls, you will have a lot of fun confronting the spectres of the place. If you like survival horror, I can only advise you to try Fatal Frame IV without delay!
Review in French | Read full review
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse allows us to finally enjoy the terrifying fourth installment of the franchise, the only one that had remained exclusively in Japan and almost 14 years after its release on Nintendo Wii. An adventure that, without being one of the most terrifying, is very fun to play and presents us with a renewed and improved atmosphere thanks to a modest remastering and update for current consoles. A game whose transfer from a console like the Wii, with somewhat special controls, weighs heavily, making itself felt especially in things like the camera and its control. However, and without a doubt, it is a very good opportunity for all Western audiences who wanted to enjoy it in their day and could not and that will keep us very entertained during the 13h of play that lasts approximately, yes, completely in English.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse combines its limited controls with a haunting atmosphere to create a great Japanese survival horror game that still shows its age from time to time.
Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is very eerie experience, but some clunky controls and dated mechanics do hold it back a little. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have fun playing and it does nail that eerie vibe that the series is so beloved for, but it could have done with just a few more refinements to help it stand its own amongst the modern horror releases. Is it a bad game? Definitely not, and I have no doubt that fans of the genre will enjoy it. Just expect some sketchy controls and a bit of backtracking during your creepy adventure through Rougetsu Island.
Despite my issues with the game, I’m still delighted that everybody outside of Japan finally got a chance to check out Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse. It’s a gorgeous and horrifying remastered adventure with scares aplenty and an engrossing, dark story. While the old-school controls can occasionally be irritating, and the difficulty is often a bit overwhelming, it still does a fantastic job of telling a truly scary story. If you’re a fan of horror and need something scary before Halloween, I’d say this is your game. And even if you have a hard time with spooky stuff, this is still a worthwhile adventure—just one you’ll probably need to digest one small bite at a time.