Review of the Lunar Eclipse Mask – An Eerie Journey Worth Taking

Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse – An Eerie Journey Worth Taking

Introduction: A Long-Awaited Arrival

After a 15-year hiatus from global markets, Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is finally making its way to contemporary gaming platforms. This 2008 Wii exclusive, a joint venture between Koei Tecmo, Goichi Suda’s Grasshopper Manufacture, and published by Nintendo, was previously a Japan-only title. Now, the game is accessible to a broader audience, allowing everyone to gauge its enduring appeal.

Narrative: An Engrossing Tale of Phantoms

The story in Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is straightforward yet captivating. It revolves around three young women—Ruka, Misaki, and Madoka—who venture to the eerie Rogetsu Isle to unravel the mysteries of their pasts. Choshiro, a detective, follows them to the island to ensure their safety. Players assume the roles of these characters at different junctures, delving into various facets of the island’s haunting history.

Ambiance: Spine-Chilling Yet Personal

The game’s standout feature is undoubtedly its atmosphere. The moon, a significant element in the narrative, casts its spellbinding glow through open windows and outdoor spaces. Whether reflected in a pool or illuminating hallways, this lunar presence adds an intimate yet unsettling layer to the game’s environment. Given the amount of revisiting locations, this atmospheric brilliance keeps the gameplay engaging.

Graphics and Controls: A Blend of Charm and Challenge

While the game’s atmosphere compensates for many things, the visuals could have used more attention in this remaster. Character models and ghost designs are well-executed, but the environments reveal the game’s age when examined closely. They appear pixelated and could have benefited from a modern touch.

Control-wise, the game mostly delivers during combat scenarios involving the Camera Obscura or Spirit Stone Flashlight. However, the character movement feels somewhat dated and could have been refined. This issue, although manageable, can sometimes disrupt the player’s immersion.

Game Mechanics and Replay Value: A Compact Yet Rewarding Experience

The game adopts a slow-burn approach, emphasizing meticulous exploration. Despite this, it offers a relatively short playtime—around 10 hours when accounting for cutscenes and menu time. However, the game’s replayability is high, thanks to unlockable costumes, new lenses for weapons, a Mission mode, and a New Game Plus feature.

Conclusion: A Worthy Horror Adventure with Minor Flaws

For aficionados of the Fatal Frame series and survival horror games, the English release of Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a long-awaited treat. Despite some shortcomings in the graphics and controls, the game’s compelling story and exceptional atmosphere make it a worthwhile experience.

If this remaster enjoys the same success as the Maiden of Black Water port, it could pave the way for more Fatal Frame remasters or even new entries in the series. While the game has imperfections, it remains a compelling horror experience that stands the test of time.

Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is set to launch on March 9 for multiple platforms, including PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S