This is perhaps one of more shocking moments of E3 - the Fatal Frame series is making its way back onto Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S later this year.
The classic horror series hasn't been on Xbox since the 2004 release, Fatal Frame II: Director's Cut, but now its returning with Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, which was originally the fifth entry to release previously on Wii U.
Players will come face to face with the ghoulish apparitions that roam the world, as they're forced to use a camera to defend themselves. The remaster comes with improved visuals, a photo mode, and new costumes for players to enjoy.
Key Features
- Try to survive this bone-chilling entry in the Fatal Frame series, now with upgraded visuals.
- Try on new costumes or take the photo mode for a spin to create your own original picture-perfect shots.
- Explore haunting locales such as an underground cave for disturbing sacrifices and a shrine for life-sized dolls.
- Use your Camera Obscura to defend yourself against horrifying ghosts that pursue you.
- As you traverse Mt. Hikami, beware of the incredibly dangerous water coursing throughout the mountain.
- Try to stay alive while investigating the ominous Mt. Hikami.
If you've never played a Fatal Frame before, it's probably best going in blind and enjoying the experience yourself. It's unlike many other horror franchises out there and brings something unique to the table. We're hoping it launches around Halloween, as it will make for a perfect entry to dive into on those dark, spooky nights.
Are you excited for Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water? Let us know in then comments below.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 30
Really happy about this, really good to see more and more Japanese games come to Xbox.
@Snake_V5 second that
Worst game in the series. Low on scares; high on sexual inuendo.
I played this on Wii U and thought it was a pretty terrible game tbh.
I hope they also bring 1-4 to the Xbox, because this one is the worst game in the series.
Q) Are you excited for Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water?
A) I already own this game on Wii U... but I love it so much that this is likely the rare time that I double-dip; particularly as it's nice to show more niche franchises like this some support. I'd be more than happy to snap photos of ghosts with Yuri once again, though this time on an Xbox Series X.
Given the bonus costumes were Nintendo themed, I'm curious as to what the replacements will be; the original bikini outfits or Microsoft themed ones?
This is one of my favourite franchises ever! I bought the physical limited edition that was very difficult to find (and didn't exist at all in US) and I will buy it again on Series X and keep supporting the series. Now, if we got the other four games (ignoring the 3DS spinoff) remastered that would be awesome!
Although this might not be the best entry, we need to support it to get 1-4 remastered. It's a niche but wonderful franchise, probably the best psychological horror series.
Buy it up. If this does well, maybe Nintendo will allow this series to get a brand new entry that gets a worldwide release instead of hastily stuffing it onto the Wii U eshop and then forgetting about it for more than half a decade.
I'm still angry that Fatal Frame 4 never came overseas.
@Ralizah The IP is fully (100%) owned by Koei Tecmo so they don't need Nintendo, fortunately. Nintendo was just one of the publishers. I have been saying this for years, I don't know why people on NL believe that Nintendo owns this IP.
https://trademarks.justia.com/780/96/fatal-78096019.html
@Ralizah so Nintendo is allowing them to publish it everywhere ? Wow that’s amazing.
@BlueOcean but didn’t KT said in an interview years back that Nintendo did? Then again that might have been a translation error. I dunno I thought they did.
@mousieone "It's up to Nintendo...". It was a misunderstanding because Nintendo was their last publisher and they could have funded a new game but Nintendo didn't publish 4 outside Japan, they didn't release 2 Remake in US and they didn't release 5 physically in US. They helped in 4's development briefly but didn't really want to spend time and money fixing the glitches (they were asked to help with QA). This is how much Nintendo cares. I have been saying this for years and now the series is multiplatform again. Thank heavens.
@BlueOcean Nintendo is literally listed in the copyright information for this re-release.
It's right there at the end of the trailer:
"(C) Nintendo / KOEI TECMO GAMES"
@BlueOcean Nintendo still co owns the series. As someone said, Nintendo is listed in the copyright information.
This is just a Wonderful 101 remastered situation
@BlueOcean It has been pretty widely reported that Nintendo co-owns the IP. Has nothing to do with people on NL, lol.
Here's just one example:
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-04-05-fatal-frame-project-zero-producer-says-hes-never-really-given-up-on-the-idea-of-a-new-game
"Worst game in the series. Low on scares; high on sexual inuendo."
@dani3po I'm sold
If I'm hearing this correctly, it sounds like a digital only release on all platforms. I hope that is untrue
This game is Great and very scary. I have the collectors edition for WIIU.
I intend to buy this again on XBOX Series S so that hopefully, due to XBOX'S stance on backwards compatibility, I will not have to purchase again on future XBOX models. Unlike nintendo.
@dani3po
INSTANT BUY!
@Ralizah I followed that article's links and source and it says "it seems that Nintendo co-owns" twice. This has never been confirmed by Koei Tecmo nor Nintendo. Koei Tecmo talks about the publishing rights of 2 Remake and 4 in that interview. Eurogamer's writer says, "It also appears to have full ownership of the spin-off Spirit Photography IP and Project Zero 2: Wii Edition, a remake of Project Zero 2: Crimson Butterfly". So Nintendo, at best, owns the 3DS spin-off and the the Wii version of 2 and has/had the publishing rights of 4 (publishing rights expire anyway).
https://www.relyonhorror.com/latest-news/several-new-project-zerofatal-frame-2-wii-edition-trailers-fatal-frame-ip-now-officially-co-owned-by-nintendo/
@everynowandben @anoyonmus
The copyright information is related to specific games published on Nintendo consoles, it doesn't mean that Nintendo owns the IP which is what I said. Nintendo doesn't own the IP. That has never been stated by Nintendo nor Koei Tecmo and it contradicts the official information available.
https://trademarks.justia.com/780/96/fatal-78096019.html
Anyway, what matters is that the franchise has been resurrected in spite of Nintendo burying it (no 4 outside Japan, no 2 Remake in US and no 5 physically in US) and it has been resurrected by Koei Tecmo that will publish Maiden of Black Water on all consoles unless Nintendo publishes the Switch version.
@BlueOcean perhaps that is true
But if there were newer games in the series, I think those new games will be switch exclusive but maybe multi platform later on.
It’s up to KT and Nintendo.
But the series is back. That is all it matters. Yes it is a 2014 Wii U port, but no one bought the Wii U so it’s new for a lot of people.
Now here is hoping Silent Hill makes a return as well
@anoyonmus Yes, the series is back and that is all that matters.
For more information, this is the press release. Note the highlighted part that seems to indicate that more remasters are a possibility as it celebrates that the iconic series is making its way to current generation platforms.
Today, KOEI TECMO America unveiled that their iconic Japanese horror-adventure series, FATAL FRAME, will be making its way to current generation platforms, with FATAL FRAME: Maiden of Black Water releasing on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC via Steam® across North America in 2021. To celebrate the exciting news, KOEI TECMO has released an all-new reveal trailer to give horror fans a taste of the terrifying supernatural gaming experience that awaits them later this year.
FATAL FRAME: Maiden of Black Water takes players to the eerie Mt. Hikami, a sacred location haunted by bizarre and unfortunate occurrences – and a place where the water is believed to be housed by vengeful spirits. Through the eyes of Yuri Kozukata, Ren Hojo, and Miu Hinasaki, they will rely on just a flashlight and a unique camera – the Camera Obscura – with the ability to take pictures of ghosts, as they explore the mountain to find those who have disappeared. Will players be able to repel the deadly ghosts and uncover the mysteries surrounding Mt. Hikami?
The title is an enhanced version of 2014’s Wii U release of the same name, which includes upgraded visuals to match the latest hardware advancements – offering an even more terrifying and immersive experience. Fans of this iconic series can not only play on their favorite gaming platform, but will also be able to enjoy an all-new Photo Mode, allowing them to set-up characters and ghosts in various scenes and adjust their poses in order to create the perfect spooky picture. In addition, there will be a selection of new costumes for the main protagonists, helping make every picture in your collection more unique.
@BlueOcean yeah, I am gonna get it on switch eventually.
I sense the silent hill fan base is upset and mad rn.
The new photo mode is like the one from Village
@anoyonmus Silent Hill would be very welcome, the 360 games are playable on Xbox One and Series X/S but they are hated because of glitches and graphical downgrades. I don't have them so I can't say more but I'd buy Silent Hill remasters on day one.
@BlueOcean if Konami ever decides to make it happen
@anoyonmus Hopefully!
@BlueOcean Actually Nintendo part owns Fatal Frame.
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-04-05-fatal-frame-project-zero-producer-says-hes-never-really-given-up-on-the-idea-of-a-new-game
I think this game will be improved without the Gamepad controls.
@CupidStunt I already replied to that and analysed the original source (#18).
I enjoyed the game with the Gamepad but you have to stand up for decent posture and gameplay when fighting ghosts.
Niiiice! I missed this series! Gotta support with day one purchase
@LightningLeader we need everyone who is on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox consoles, or PlayStation consoles to buy this game.
Show support for Project Zero and maybe KT and maybe even Nintendo will re release some more of the games.
But if there is to be a new game, I doubt it will be multi platform as Nintendo still part owns this series
@BlueOcean idk man. At this point, silent hill is a lost cause. No hope for a revival or even a port of the game
I already have it for Wii U, but it'll be cool to play through it again and more convenient to have all my games on the one console, so I'm sold! Now fingers crossed we'll get the earlier entries added to backwards compatibility.
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