FATAL FRAME: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse Review for Nintendo Switch

FATAL FRAME: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a survival horror adventure game developed and published by Koei Tecmo America. A remake of the 2008 original, the game follows a group of five girls who went missing on Rogetsu Island when they were children. While they were found unharmed, they had no memories from before they went missing. Now several years after that event, two of the five girls were found dead only days apart from each other. Now the remaining three girls decide to return to the island where they vanished, in order to find out what happened to them as kids, and to prevent themselves from sharing their own fate.

For being a remake of a game released in 2008, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse looks beautiful for its age. The game’s graphics are incredibly detailed and help keep the original feel of the game alive while also not feeling dated or clunky like some remakes have done. This fact is further amplified by just how well-done the game’s art direction is. The whole world has this somber atmosphere that almost suffocates the player, a constant reminder of the fact that something lurks around every corner.

However, the game for the most part is quiet. Besides the creaking of the floorboards or the player’s walking on them, the game is silent. Until it isn’t. The game’s usage of sound design is implemented with complete and utter intent to scare your socks off. In one moment, you are quietly sneaking around abandoned hallways looking for where to go. And as soon as you grab a key for example, suddenly the intercom above you blares a twisted, garbled melody that tells every part of you to run.

The game is slow, and that is what works about a game like Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, which is perfectly exemplified in the gameplay. The player character controls like thick mud, with things like turning and opening doors being slow and deliberate actions. Not only this, but the main weapon of the game that is used to fight the enemies of the game, the Camera Obscura, requires the player to get the clearest, closest pictures in order to do the most damage to said enemies. And while in other games this would be a clunky mess, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse makes it work because of how they rely on this deliberate movement to help build tension.

For example, when the player grabs that key mentioned earlier and the music begins to play on the intercom, the player is urged to get out as soon as possible. However, the door out is on the complete opposite side of a hallway, with the running speed being that of a slight stroll. So, the player is forced to slowly navigate this area, with the threat of imposing danger, lurking around every corner. From aiming the camera, to turning around, to opening doors, to even aiming a flashlight at an item, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse draws out every action the player makes, waiting in the dark for just the right moment to scare them to death, and the player knows this too, which is why the game’s horror elements make the bad parts of this game’s design work so well for it.

All in all, FATAL FRAME: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse offers countless scares and an intriguing mystery for players to explore and adventure through. Coupled with the addition of updated graphics and fantastic art direction, and I would go as far as to say that this game highlights itself as one of the perfect examples of a remastered game done right. I cannot recommend this game enough to do it service.

SCORE: 9/10

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Matthew White

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An avid gamer, Matthew is also an aspiring game developer. Because of this, Matthew knows not only what makes a game great, but also the hard work and artistry required to craft such a phenomenal experience.