Fatal Frame: Maiden of the Black Water Reviews
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water versagt leider auf der kompletten Linie und bietet außer Fanservice in Form von Dead or Alive Ladies und knappen Outfits wenig. Die Steuerung auf dem Wii U Pad wurde schwach umgesetzt und auch die Geschichte bietet wenig neues für Horror Fans. Falls ihr aktuell auf der Suche nach einem neuen Wii U Titel seid, macht lieber einen großen Bogen um Fatal Frame.
Review in German | Read full review
Technical issues aside, Koei Tecmo and Nintendo offer one of the purest horror titles in years.
While this remaster has its share of Kodak moments, unfortunately, the negatives are simply too much to ignore. With Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water’s disposable cast of characters and underdeveloped episodes that start to blur together like like an old Polaroid, survival horror fans are better off turning their focus elsewhere to get their fix this Halloween.
Six years after the release of the original for Wiiu, we have this remastering of Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water. The high definition graphics suit you very well, and the game give us lots of fun to thanks to the use and functions of the Dualsense controller.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water might be one of the weaker entries in the franchise, with flaws that can be really hard to ignore. The awkward controls, repetitive mission structure, and lack of variety somewhat bring down an otherwise engaging experience. However, if you can overlook these issues, give it a shot. The concept of Fatal Frame is still incredibly fresh in the genre, with its more restrained approach to horror and unique mechanics.
Despite Maiden of Black Water’s flaws, I do think it succeeds with creating an eerie atmosphere, and some of the storytelling and lore sent chills down my spine. Unfortunately, a lot of the lore is told through found documents, and it can be hard to stay engaged by reading journal after journal. When you do see a scene through the main story or via Fatal Glances after defeating enemies, it does feel a little more important and special since they’re few and far between. If you’re looking to play a game with a spooky story and a different take on the survival horror genre, pick up your camera and head into Fatal Frame’s world.
Unfortunately, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water wasn’t perfect when it released on Nintendo Wii U, nor is does the remaster fix everything. While the flaws hold it back, the game succeeds by providing the horrific and eerie atmosphere that the franchise is known for. There is a lot that fans will appreciate, it’s newcomers who might not care for the dated approach. However, whether you’re a fan or newcomer, if you give Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water a fair chance, you’ll likely not be disappointed.
Project Zero Maiden of Black Water is a game infused with a scary, uncomfortable atmosphere that you will love as a fan of Japanese horror films. The story may not be gripping. But the atmosphere, the long playing time and the unique gameplay with the Wii U gamepad make the game at least worth a try. Still, the outdated design holds back maiden of Black Water from being an essential Wii U game.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Project Zero Maiden of Black Water suffers from the problems derived from an adaptation that has forced the elimination of the characteristics that made it unique, but, despite this, any lover of classic-flavored horror has a winning bet here.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water is a fine introduction to a series most will have passed by over the years, though doesn't quite land the Fatal Frame it could have. It's still a worthy addition to any horror fan's collection and it's great to see the series being more available than ever.
If you love horror, especially of the supernatural variety, you owe Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water the chance to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck
Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water is just what horror games need right now. Zombies are such an oversaturated idea and they are everywhere. So it is nice to have something truly scary in a paranormal survival horror. It is a great game to introduce new fans to the series who possibly weren’t even born when it came out. Though controls are a bit finicky, it is very unique and stands out well in a slew of subpar horrors that rarely even raise a whimper, let alone have you losing sleep at night. The drab setting, story, lore, and atmosphere created would fit snuggly amongst other J-horror media. With jump scares here and there, it’s the subtle ones that got to me. What you think you saw, you did not see…or did you? If it raises my heart rate a little, that’s a good thing because horror doesn’t usually get to me. A job well done! Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water gets a Thumb Culture Platinum Award from me!
Ultimately Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water ends up being a boring slog more often than a tense horror experience. The remaster will likely be welcomed by fans of the series, especially those that never had a Wii U to check out the original. However, any future Fatal Frame titles will have to evolve to feel at home in modern times.
For those seeking a new horror franchise to dive into Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water will give that uneasy feeling of danger fans crave from horror titles.
There are bits and pieces that are cool or interesting, and others that are either duds or just too awkward to pass off as decent storytelling.
I have some mixed feelings. On the one hand, I adore Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water for its deeply old-fashioned control scheme and clunky gameplay. I love the rough-around-the-edges graphics that speak of a time that was slightly browner. I love the darkness of the storyline and the bleak personalities of the unfortunate characters. I love all these things, but my heart also longs for an improved version that controls better, looks better and sounds better. Maybe a new game in the series will take care of this longing, but until then we still have a very decent horror game that is well worth a stab.
Technical issues aside, I had a good time playing Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water. It’s comforting to see the effort that Koei Tecmo put in to make this otherwise practically impossible to get game to a much wider audience, considering that used copies can go for hundreds of dollars online due to the limited nature of its original release. If you have yet to try one of these games, this new release makes Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water the most easily accessible of the bunch and worth giving a shot.
Fatal Frame was once a one-of-a-kind option in the realm of survival horror games, but that has long since gone. Maiden of Black Water is a modernized version that prioritizes graphics above quality and suffers as a result. It takes a lot more than a basic clean-up to make it work, but there's no denying it can be entertaining under the proper conditions.
At the end of the day, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a solid effort despite its flaws.
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is quite chilling, but don't expect it to meet the graphic standards of today.
Review in Slovak | Read full review