Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water

 Wii U
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 291 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 217 out of 291
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 291
  3. Negative: 41 out of 291
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  1. LoneWolfSones
    Nov 7, 2015
    7
    Fatal Frame is a good game mired with some slight issues. The first thing you notice about Fatal Frame is its ability to build tension and atmosphere. Its not uncommon to see a ghost pop up in an unexpected location. Or you may witness a ghost re-enacting their demise. Crawling through a tunnel and seeing ghostly feet before you is unsettling. But what is more striking is the themes thatFatal Frame is a good game mired with some slight issues. The first thing you notice about Fatal Frame is its ability to build tension and atmosphere. Its not uncommon to see a ghost pop up in an unexpected location. Or you may witness a ghost re-enacting their demise. Crawling through a tunnel and seeing ghostly feet before you is unsettling. But what is more striking is the themes that are present in the game. Ritual sacrifices, suicides, etc are perhaps some of the darkest themes to grace a Nintendo console. Fatal Frame V doesn't shy away from disturbing imagery to say the least.

    The game also boasts what is perhaps one of the most novel and logical uses for the gamepad. You use the gamepad to take pictures of ghosts and it works surprisingly well. It feels as if your looking through the viewfinder of an actual camera. You can also swap between different lenses and film. Manage to exorcise the ghost and you can then touch them to see a glimpse of their untimely demise. The controls can take some getting used too and are a bit janky. Voice acting is stilted but passable. Purists may want to opt for the original Japanese voice acting. There is some clipping of the models and some of the items you find are floating off the ground.

    Of course there is some controversy surrounding the game with regards to 'censorship'. The reason behind many of the 'meta bomb' reviews seen here; where they give it a zero for that reason alone. In the japanese version some of the female characters have lingerie outfits that can be unlocked. Its certainly not a deal breaker and I think its silly to get bent out of shape over this when you get a Zelda and Zero Suit Samus costume in their place. I mean what girl would go hunting ghosts in her skivvies anyway? Especially when a good portion of the game hinges upon how 'wet' your character is. Rain and water cause a meter to fill making ghosts become more drawn to your character.

    Of course this is a digital only release. So yes of course you may need an external HD. Fortunately you can get a decent size external for $50-60. I can understand the frustration. I myself would have preferred to see a retail release. But Fatal Frame is a niche series to begin with. A digital release is a safer alternative to a full retail release. Its a way of gauging interest. Unfortunately I fear that because of this people will disregard the game which sends the wrong message to Nintendo. If you want a retail release of Fatal Frame in the future? You need to show Nintendo you care about the series. You can say you want a physical copy all you want. But if you don't support what is there? You can't exactly blame Nintendo for not releasing future games stateside. Fatal Frame hasn't seen many western releases to begin with.

    In the end is Fatal Frame V worth its $50-60 price tag? I would say maybe. It all depends on whether or not your a fan of classic survival horror and can look past its flaws. Its not a perfect game. But I feel it is an enjoyable one if given the chance. Try the demo for yourself.    … Expand
  2. HSuke
    Dec 5, 2015
    6
    Good game, but not nearly as good as Fatal Frame 2, which is the best in the series. Lowering the score since Nintendo censored the NA versions and didn't even give an option to purchase the bikini outfits.
  3. leopoldo
    Nov 12, 2015
    6
    Fatal Frame: Maiden of Blackwater is a horror game of the series Fatal Frame. The game has many qualities, but many problems. The story is great and disturbing as it should be. The gameplay with the GamePad is great and works great, but as it has many ghosts, the gameplay seems a lot more action than horror. Another downside is that some ghosts are seductive, and it certainly does not makeFatal Frame: Maiden of Blackwater is a horror game of the series Fatal Frame. The game has many qualities, but many problems. The story is great and disturbing as it should be. The gameplay with the GamePad is great and works great, but as it has many ghosts, the gameplay seems a lot more action than horror. Another downside is that some ghosts are seductive, and it certainly does not make me afraid, I'm sure. The graphics are weak, they are exceeded; but facial expressions are convincing .Overall, it is a good horror game with a great story, but the many ghosts that appear, do lose a lot of the climate of terror., and that sucks. 6.5 / 10… Expand
  4. LADDLY
    Dec 20, 2015
    5
    Fatal Fra,e: Maiden of Black Water seems to run fairly smooth, the graphics look decent for a Wii U game, and from what I've played the story is fairly interesting. Sadly the censorship, and the lack of newer ideas being integrated in the series lead me to a low score, for 15 bucks I'd buy every episode but sadly it's a bit more expensive. Save your cash.
  5. Lone_Wolf_Sones
    Aug 7, 2016
    7
    Fatal Frame is a good game mired with some slight issues. The first thing you notice about Fatal Frame is its ability to build tension and atmosphere. Its not uncommon to see a ghost pop up in an unexpected location. Or you may witness a ghost re-enacting their demise. Crawling through a tunnel and seeing ghostly feet before you is unsettling. But what is more striking is the themes thatFatal Frame is a good game mired with some slight issues. The first thing you notice about Fatal Frame is its ability to build tension and atmosphere. Its not uncommon to see a ghost pop up in an unexpected location. Or you may witness a ghost re-enacting their demise. Crawling through a tunnel and seeing ghostly feet before you is unsettling. But what is more striking is the themes that are present in the game. Ritual sacrifices, suicides, etc are perhaps some of the darkest themes to grace a Nintendo console. Fatal Frame V doesn't shy away from disturbing imagery to say the least.

    The game also boasts what is perhaps one of the most novel and logical uses for the gamepad. You use the gamepad to take pictures of ghosts and it works surprisingly well. It feels as if your looking through the viewfinder of an actual camera. You can also swap between different lenses and film. Manage to exorcise the ghost and you can then touch them to see a glimpse of their untimely demise. The controls can take some getting used too and are a bit janky. Voice acting is stilted but passable. Purists may want to opt for the original Japanese voice acting. There is some clipping of the models and some of the items you find are floating off the ground.

    Of course there is some controversy surrounding the game with regards to 'censorship'. The reason behind many of the 'meta bomb' reviews seen here; where they give it a zero for that reason alone. In the japanese version some of the female characters have lingerie outfits that can be unlocked. Its certainly not a deal breaker and I think its silly to get bent out of shape over this when you get a Zelda and Zero Suit Samus costume in their place. I mean what girl would go hunting ghosts in her skivvies anyway? Especially when a good portion of the game hinges upon how 'wet' your character is. Rain and water cause a meter to fill making ghosts become more drawn to your character.

    Of course this is a digital only release. So yes of course you may need an external HD. Fortunately you can get a decent size external for $50-60. I can understand the frustration. I myself would have preferred to see a retail release. But Fatal Frame is a niche series to begin with. A digital release is a safer alternative to a full retail release. Its a way of gauging interest. Unfortunately I fear that because of this people will disregard the game which sends the wrong message to Nintendo. If you want a retail release of Fatal Frame in the future? You need to show Nintendo you care about the series. You can say you want a physical copy all you want. But if you don't support what is there? You can't exactly blame Nintendo for not releasing future games stateside. Fatal Frame hasn't seen many western releases to begin with.

    In the end is Fatal Frame V worth its $50-60 price tag? I would say maybe. It all depends on whether or not your a fan of classic survival horror and can look past its flaws. Its not a perfect game. But I feel it is an enjoyable one if given the chance. Try the demo for yourself.    … Expand
  6. BITESCREEN
    Jun 22, 2017
    7
    Geister, Schreine, ostasiatische Folklore: Die Project Zero-Reihe war schon immer derart japanisch, dass der Erfolg im Westen trotz unbestreitbarer Gruselqualitäten ausblieb. Diesem Problem nimmt sich Tecmo Koei nun mit Project Zero – Priesterin des schwarzen Wassers Wii-U-exklusiv an: Das ist zwar in Setting und Thematik immer noch klassisch, schraubt aber für mehr Zugänglichkeit an denGeister, Schreine, ostasiatische Folklore: Die Project Zero-Reihe war schon immer derart japanisch, dass der Erfolg im Westen trotz unbestreitbarer Gruselqualitäten ausblieb. Diesem Problem nimmt sich Tecmo Koei nun mit Project Zero – Priesterin des schwarzen Wassers Wii-U-exklusiv an: Das ist zwar in Setting und Thematik immer noch klassisch, schraubt aber für mehr Zugänglichkeit an den sperrigen Gameplay-Mechanismen des Survival-Horror-Genres. So teilen sich für mehr Kurzweil drei Figuren den zermürbenden Plot um Massenselbstmord und okkulte Rituale, eine Map auf dem Touchscreen weist den rechten Weg, während Checkpoints das Vorankommen im umfangreichen Horrorspiel erleichtern. Die teils chaotischen Camera-Obscura-Geisterkämpfe sind dank Wii-U-Gamepad immersiv wie nie – gruseln aber so gar nicht. Dafür versprühen die verstörende Rest-Inszenierung und das düstere Setting rund um den Todesberg Hikami subtilen wie ungewohnt hübschen Japano-Horror. Etwas schade: Der niedrige Schwierigkeitsgrad und die fast gänzlich fehlenden Rätsel.… Expand
  7. TivooGames
    Nov 10, 2021
    7
    Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water ritorna sulle attuali console con qualche novità al comparto tecnico, ma senza brillare particolarmente dal punto di vista delle novità, offrendo sul piatto quello che alla fine era già stato a suo tempo un discreto survival horror.

    Link: https://www.tivoo.it/2021/11/08/project-zero-maiden-of-black-water-recensione-xbox-series-x/

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best Wii U Game of 2015
10
#10 Most Discussed Wii U Game of 2015
13
#13 Most Shared Wii U Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 58 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 58
  3. Negative: 4 out of 58
  1. Power Unlimited
    Dec 10, 2015
    86
    Its atmospheric horror, improved camera combat, fancy HD graphics and intense story make this the best entry in the classic horror series yet. [dec. 2015 / page 059]
  2. NZGamer
    Dec 6, 2015
    50
    A game that’s atmospheric as hell, but that does nothing with it.
    Read full review
  3. Gamer.no
    Dec 4, 2015
    60
    The premise of the Project Zero series, quite literally having to face up to your fears to catch them on camera, is ingenious. Furthermore, at its high points, Maiden of Black Water showcases a generous amount of the very peculiar and likeable Japanese horror atmosphere. However, the experience suffers from imprecise and slow controls, making for frustrating maneuvering through the rather samey surroundings of the haunted Mount Hikami. Add to that the large amount of terribly dull and boringly angst-ridden notes that most of the narrative is related through, and you have a game that, unfortunately, doesn't quite live up to its potential.
    Read full review
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