Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse Switch review – picture perfect

It’s no secret that I’m an enormous fan of horror. From psychological to paranormal, gore to ghouls, slasher to supernatural, I like it all. Relating to videogames and horror, there are just a few sequence that I worth above others – Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Alone within the Darkish, The Darkish Photos Anthology (and Till Daybreak), Outlast, Useless House, System Shock, and so forth and so forth.

Nonetheless, I’m adamant that there’s one kind of horror on the market that takes issues to new heights, trapping you in a nightmare from which you are feeling there’s no escape. I, after all, talk about Japanese horror. One among my favorite horror IPs is Deadly Body, a sequence that forces you to face unspeakable terror because it explores the varied horrors you discover in Japanese city legends and lore.

So, it comes as no shock that I couldn’t wait to get my palms on Deadly Body: Masks of the Lunar Eclipse, a title Nintendo restricted to a Japanese viewers upon its preliminary launch on the Nintendo Wii in 2008. Effectively, Koei Tecmo is able to reply the prayers of followers worldwide because it brings the survival horror sport to a Western viewers. Naturally, I’ve the Nintendo Change model, however even when I didn’t write for a cell and Nintendo website, I’d nonetheless wish to play Masks of the Lunar Eclipse on Change.

It looks like a pure development, given the unique is the primary Deadly Body to hit a Nintendo console, so in that regard, I like the thought of experiencing it on a console from the Japanese writer, even when it’s not the Nintendo Wii.

For the fourth instalment within the Deadly Body sequence, you end up on Rougetsu Island as a bunch of ladies return to the dilapidated land years after their escape from it after being held captive. Crucial character is arguably Ruka Minazuki, who returns to the island after two different women do. The rationale for his or her return is truthfully a thriller to me. All the time I’m sat right here shouting ‘why, why would you return to a ghost city the place a psychopath held you hostage!?’ Certain, you misplaced your recollections and wish to rediscover them, however some issues are finest left forgotten, you understand, a bit just like the Inexperienced Lantern film.

However alas, Ruka appears intent on not listening to the sound recommendation of her mom and myself, so she goes on a not-so-jolly journey to a ghost city. Actually. Two years after the kidnapping of herself and 4 different women, a catastrophe strikes Rougetsu Island, killing its inhabitants. The truth that two of the kidnapped women died eight years later beneath mysterious circumstances solely strengthens my perception that Ruka is being a tad bit ridiculous. I’m telling you, lady, play silly video games, win silly prizes.

All through your time on the island, you unravel the thriller and uncover the true occasions from ten years in the past, which does tie into how the island ultimately meets its demise. Naturally, I’ve little interest in spoiling this for you, however I can safely say that you simply’re in for a wild journey with twists and turns that create some severe stress as you try to piece the puzzle collectively.

Not solely do you play as Ruka, however you additionally take management of three different characters, too. Misaki and Madoka are the 2 women that return to the island earlier than Ruka, as they too seek for solutions about their pasts, whereas the fourth and ultimate playable character is Choshiro, the detective that saved the ladies all these years in the past. Sure, all 4 of them are in for a haunting expertise that has them questioning every little thing they consider in.

In an effort to survive the spirits of those who reside on Rougetsu Island, you must use an previous pal to your benefit, the Digital camera Obscura. Longtime Deadly Body pals know all about this life-saving piece of equipment, because it’s basically all you could have so as to defend your self from the ghosts which are eager so that you can additionally be part of the spirit realm.

Not solely can this supernatural piece of equipment repel ghosts, however it could possibly reveal issues which are invisible to the bare eye, so belief me once I say that that is your lifeline. You will get all method of upgrades too, together with 4 image speeds. As you progress by the sport, it’s vital that you simply uncover and equip your self with much more highly effective lenses and movie, which let you push again and dispel probably the most highly effective and vengeful of ghosts.

Thoughts you, there’s one other instrument available that will help you in your journey. The spirit torch is new to Masks of the Lunar Eclipse, not showing within the earlier video games. Although this very a lot depends upon the protagonist you play as, with Choshiro counting on the spirit torch to outlive. In contrast to the Digital camera Obscura, this gadget makes use of moonlight to inflict harm on any ghost silly sufficient to get inside its illumination.

Actually, as a lot as I really like the Digital camera Obscura, it feels nice to see the spirit torch. It’s a change of tempo and presents a distinct sort of expertise when the time involves take care of ghosts, which helps to maintain the sport feeling recent because the hours roll on. Thoughts you, the environmental design and fixed sense of dread additionally helps to maintain you hooked on this terrifying world.

As with the vast majority of Deadly Body video games, you’ll be able to count on to discover conventional Japanese homes, one thing I completely love. For as gorgeous because the structure is, there’s one thing unsettling about these buildings after they’re deserted and in damage. It’s one thing I can’t fairly clarify, however I can by no means escape the sensation that I’m not alone. There’s no reprieve, and that solely provides to the depth of this survival horror expertise. You additionally should make your means by a rundown city, and I don’t should inform you how scary an empty however well-kept lodge is (we’ve all seen The Shining), nevermind one that appears prefer it belongs in Shrek’s swamp.

The story, characters, and world are nicely designed, coming collectively to create a foreboding ambiance stuffed with dread, however do the controls and efficiency break this immersion? Fortunately, the reply isn’t any, the controls are easy, the buttons are well-mapped, and at no level do I really feel like I’m in a battle with the digicam. As for the sport’s efficiency, I’ve little to complain about, there was a little bit of stuttering once I first began my journey, however it quickly smoothed itself out, and I’m but to face every other points.

Oh yeah, there’s additionally a photograph mode, as a result of it’s not simply the dwelling that wish to make recollections, however ghosts too. Plus, I’ve to say that it’s a superb picture mode. It options loads of choices to control the image to your liking. So go on, seize some pictures to remind you of the dangerous choices you proceed to make with every step you’re taking right here.

In case you’re after a horror gem that brings the spooks, story, and enjoyable, you’ll be able to’t go improper with Deadly Body: Masks of the Eclipse. Higher but, it runs nicely on Nintendo Change, and given the actual fact you’ll be able to take it with you on the go, I like to recommend that you simply not less than take into account this platform. So, what do you say? Are you able to return to Rougetsu Island on this beforehand region-bound title?

For much more horror goodness, try our Deadly Body: Maiden of Black Water evaluation. Or, for scares of a distinct nature, check out our FNAF characters and Poppy Playtime characters guides.