Fatal Frame: Maiden of the Black Water

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 44 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • gameplay
Fatal Frame: Maiden of the Black Water Game Cover
Fatal Frame rises from the murky depths! Does this lurid resurrection sink or swim?

"Fatal Frame: Maiden of the Black Water" is a horror game where players explore three interconnected stories to uncover the truth behind tragic deaths on Mt. Hikami. Armed with the Camera Obscura, players investigate haunted locations like an inn, doll-filled shrine, and a lake of dead priestesses, all connected by a stream of holy water with a dark history. The aim is to resolve the mountain's gruesome past while avoiding vengeful spirits.

  • Wii
  • Wii U
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 44 reviews
story4 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • The game features a chilling atmosphere and engaging ghost-snapping combat that keeps players on edge.
  • Modernized controls and improved graphics make the game more accessible and visually appealing for newcomers.
  • The unique use of the Camera Obscura adds a distinct tension to the gameplay, enhancing the horror experience.
  • Clunky controls and awkward movement can hinder the overall experience, making gameplay frustrating at times.
  • The story pacing is off, with repetitive backtracking and a thin plot that may disappoint some players.
  • Some elements of the game, such as voice acting and character development, are lacking and can detract from immersion.
  • story15 mentions

    The story of "Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water" is described as intriguing and atmospheric, effectively contributing to the game's horror elements, though it suffers from pacing issues and a somewhat thin narrative. While the episodic structure and multiple endings enhance engagement, clunky controls and frustrating gameplay moments detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the game remains a compelling choice for survival horror fans, offering a gripping storyline and immersive atmosphere.

    • “An effectively creepy atmosphere combined with an intriguing story and unique combat, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is well worth picking up.”
    • “Chilling ghosts and a malevolent story make the new Fatal Frame an unsettling experience.”
    • “If you get absorbed in the storyline — which is easy to do as the episodic structure makes 'just one more area' a compelling prospect — you'll find a good 15 or so hours of game here, and much more if you decide you need to get higher ranks as you improve your camera obscura with upgrades and other boons.”
    • “Fatal Frame: Maiden of the Black Water is a game that horror fans will want to love, but will end up causing frustration due to broken controls and an annoying mission structure.”
    • “Forgettable plot and characters, controls are unreliable, clunky, and frustrating, clumsy gameplay moments break tension and hinder any real sense of drama.”
    • “Feels very clunky, particularly around movement, looks old, with no real improvements on the original, perplexing story with far too many contrivances.”
  • atmosphere14 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water" is consistently described as unsettling and immersive, effectively combining eerie visuals, intriguing lore, and unique gameplay mechanics. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to maintain a creepy tone throughout, enhanced by interesting camera angles and sound design, despite some criticisms regarding controls and pacing. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's horror experience.

    • “An effectively creepy atmosphere combined with an intriguing story and unique combat, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is well worth picking up.”
    • “Still, the eerie atmosphere the game sets up for itself remains throughout.”
    • “For those people, you can expect a creepy game that oozes atmosphere, but is hampered by cumbersome controls and poor pacing.”
    • “Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water has been put through a wringer of doubt and speculation in the run-up to its release, but manages to come out the other side still just as drenched with atmosphere and intrigue as ever.”
    • “The atmosphere, level design, and story all work in tandem to create a surprisingly tense and beautiful experience, despite relying a bit too much on backtracking and having a rather thin story.”
  • gameplay11 mentions

    The gameplay is a mixed bag, featuring innovative combat mechanics and engaging photography elements that enhance the horror experience, but it is often marred by clunky controls and frustrating traversal issues. While some players appreciate the rich atmosphere and intriguing lore, others find the overall execution lacking, particularly in character development and fluidity of gameplay. Despite its flaws, the game offers moments of joy and tension, making it a noteworthy entry in the survival horror genre.

    • “Great photography gameplay is on offer and had me frantically thinking on the fly to snap some solid (and horrific) photos.”
    • “Although it’s occasionally more frustrating than scary, the clever gameplay and its dedication to tone and story make it one of the best survival horror games available for the Switch.”
    • “Innovation should give fans that spark of renewed excitement, while newcomers are eased into an excellent horror adventure with plenty of time to learn the mechanics.”
    • “Controls are unreliable, clunky, and frustrating; clumsy gameplay moments break tension and hinder any real sense of drama.”
    • “Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water is the weakest of the Fatal Frame games, and this remastered version fails to address its biggest issues, namely clunky traversal mechanics and a seriously wooden cast of characters.”
    • “Awkward controls, graphical issues, and repetitive gameplay.”
  • graphics5 mentions

    The graphics in "Maiden of Black Water" have received mixed reviews; while the modernized version features improved visuals that are praised for their quality, some players note issues such as awkward controls and graphical glitches. Overall, the game's stunning visuals and audio contribute positively to the experience, even if the gameplay itself may feel repetitive.

    • “Although somewhat lacking on the horror front, Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water is a fun time with an interesting story and gorgeous graphics.”
    • “Visuals and audio hold up extremely well; gameplay is some of the best in the series.”
    • “Maiden of Black Water is a modernized version that prioritizes graphics above quality and suffers as a result.”
    • “The new version of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water comes with improved graphics and some new content, but it would be a game worth playing even without them.”
    • “Awkward controls, graphical issues, repetitive gameplay.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    While the game is highly praised for its engaging content, it suffers from notable performance issues that may detract from the overall experience.

    • “The optimization is a mess; the game frequently drops frames and stutters during critical moments.”
    • “I can't believe how poorly optimized this game is; it feels like it was rushed out without any real testing.”
    • “Even on high-end hardware, the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, which ruins the experience.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players highlight the game's strong replayability, driven by the presence of unlockables and upgrades, alongside a unique and engaging camera mechanic that adds tension and stress to the experience.

    • “The camera is a unique and powerful weapon, genuinely tense and stressful throughout, with great replayability due to unlockables and upgrades.”
    • “Each playthrough offers new challenges and experiences, making it hard to put down.”
    • “The variety of choices and paths keeps the game fresh, encouraging multiple runs.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

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