Fatal Frame (PlayStation 2, 2002)

When somebody said "let's make a horror/survival game where you banish ghosts with a camera" can you imagine the looks they got? Little did anyone know that the Fatal Frame (Project Zero) series would become one of the MOST popular horror/survival games all over the world. The graphics for Fatal Frame 1 are very good even now (they would probably have been better if they had not been edited for America). The dub is for the most part one of the worst dubs ever, but it was their first try so it can be overlooked. As for gameplay, if it is your first time playing a Fatal Frame game you should either consult the game book or read instructions in game carefully. Fatal Frame is well designed for game play but (oddly enough) Fatal Frame 1 is the MOST difficult of the three in the series.

A girl named Miku goes in search of her only living relative, her brother Mafuyu, who has been missing for weeks. Her search takes her to an old, scary mansion from which she finds she cannot escape. Eventually she finds that the mansion was used for frightening rituals and ghosts still linger there. Is Mafuyu still alive? Can Miku escape?

In my opinion Fatal Frame 1 is the scariest of all the games though it has the lowest rating (only Teen instead of Mature). If you can get through it, it is so worth it! Though it is the first and therefore has the smallest layout (you are only in the 1 mansion) the mansion changes every night so things are still very interesting and the ghosts and puzzles will keep you busy.

Should definitely be purchased for your playing pleasure! I suppose it's fun alone, but it's also fun to play as a group and scare everyone! In-store prices (IF you can find it, very rare in actual stores) are at $20-35 used. This is so rare that you may find it in stores once every 2 years, unless people desperately need the money nobody sells it. If you find it in a store take it to vegas because you are so lucky! Ebay is the way to go!

General Info:
Fatal Frame games are horror/survival games with gruesome images. They should not be played by or in front of young children and are rated appropriately. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE for Fatal Frame 1 which involves very scary and disturbing rituals which you see several times and other frightening scenes. Unfortunately this game is based on true events, so don't tell the scared ones that! This game is still different than American horror with guns and zombies. They truly do scare you in that traditional Japanese way that sneaks up on you slowly. They are worth playing even if you dislike the horror/survival genre because of the great characters and plot.