Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse

Zero: Tsukihami no Kamen is the fourth installment of the survival horror series, known in Europe as Project Zero, and in Japan and the USA as Fatal Frame. From the very beginning of its existence, the series has remained an exclusiv console series, but unlike the previous parts of the series that appeared on PlayStation 2 and Xbox, the "four" went exclusively to Nintendo Wii users. Although the game has not been officially released outside of Japan, it is known around the world under the informal title Mask of the Lunar Eclipse.

The story told in the game goes back to the 1970s, when five girls staying in a mysterious sanatorium on the island of Rougetsu, are kidnapped by a serial killer. Thanks to the involvement of detective Choshiro Kirishima, the girls are released, but 10 years after the event, two of them die in unexplained circumstances. Shocked by this fact, the three remaining heroines decide to return to the island to discover the dark truth hidden behind the whole story. At the request of the mother of one of the girls, the aging detective Choshiro is also following in their footsteps.

In terms of mechanics, the game is a continuation of the solutions used in three previous editions. The game boils down to exploring and searching for clues, pushing the plot forward. An inseparable element of the series is the fight against ghosts using.... an old camera. The key to success here is to take the best possible shot of the spirit, as they are scored according to the quality and detail of the image. In the fourth part of the game, however, a completely new "weapon" has also been added, which is a special torch focused on the moonlight and used to exorcise attackers. However, the gadget should be loaded from time to time. In the game there is also an option of upgrading the camera and flashlight with points gained during the game and special shops, where we can buy medicaments and films, which are a kind of "ammunition" for the camera.

In addition to the main plot, a number of additional attractions have been prepared for players. These include a challenge mode, the ability to "collect" ghosts, as well as dolls hidden in various places (79 dolls), whose finding and photographing unlocks access to various bonuses. Transferring the cycle to the Nintendo Wii console has also given programmers the opportunity to take advantage of the unique capabilities of the console, such as motion control and the use of the gamepad as a camera.

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Last updated on 08 March 2023