2008 Wii exclusive Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse gets remaster

It’s a banner year for horror games from 2008 finding their way to modern audiences in 2023. There’s the Dead SpaceRemake, however survival horror fans may be more interested. Fatal Frame: The Mask of the Lunar Eclipse The original Wii version of this game had been unavailable. However, the new update will bring updated graphics to consoles as well as PC on March 9th 2023. Polygon previewed the game’s opening chapters, and it still has plenty of frights in store for players who can get past its glacial pace.

The Mask of the Lunar EclipseThis film focuses on the mystery of Rougetsu Island. There were five teenage girls held there, all of whom are now suffering from amnesia. Two of the girls have died mysteriously, so three survivors travel together to the island in an attempt to discover their pasts, save their lives and possibly save them. The Fatal Frame Game makes this a very dangerous game. One of the three survivors is killed by the haunting ghosts.

The player has to explore Rougetsu Island, switching between the perspectives of multiple characters, armed with a flashlight and the series’ iconic Camera Obscura. The player has to creep and sneak through the island’s homes and a hospital turned hotel in an attempt to uncover the mysteries of the titular mask. The ghosts of Fatal Frame are murderous, so the Camera Obscura is required to capture perfect pictures. You can earn points by playing well, and these points will be exchanged for useful items or upgrades.

Image: Koei Tecmo Games

The original Wii controls had the protagonist’s movement connected to the Nunchuk, while the Wiimote controlled the player’s flashlight. Modern controllers have the motion controls modified, and flashlights can be controlled with their own joystick. It does much more than provide light.

The Camera Obscura’s most difficult mode is to capture a photograph of a ghost. Even after 15 years, the camera still makes me tremble when confronted by a specter. It was not the best strategy to take quick photos in panic. Instead, I learned that holding steady would be better than trying to get fast shots. Or waiting for an attack animation.

There were moments when I just wanted to have more. It happens from time to time. The Mask of the Lunar EclipseIt is still a terrifying horror game. I love when I see jerky and grainy footage of the occult rituals on an island or when the Camera Obscura shows me a frightening spirit. In the beginning chapters, I was mainly stuck trying to get doors open only to have them lock, scanning darkened rooms with my flashlight, and then reaching out for items to take. These slow, deliberate actions didn’t build the tension; they just bored me.

The preview showed me a number of failed jump scares. I was able to hear the cue before it actually happened. The cutscene dialogue was awkwardly placed in line with the characters. I was more annoyed than I was immersed when I heard the audio sync problems in the preview. The presentation isn’t all bad, though. The graphics have been improved from the Wii version of the game, and if you’re into the specific brand of survival horror rooted in Japanese culture that the Fatal Frame series has to offer, the fresh coat of paint does a lot to make Rougetsu Island an intriguing destination.

Mask of the Lunar eclipse: The Fatal FrameOn March 9, 2023 the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 will have it available for purchase on Windows PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.