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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. MissFelixia
    Nov 3, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The control system is suprisingly good i find, do people realize you can move the gamepad to look around? the so called censored thing is nothing since the camera is usually behind the character anyway and what they were replaced with are so much better in my opinion. i love this game so far although its just really creepy. it also shows how amazing the gamepad is big + there. shame they didnt market it a little more also they made picking up items intense since you can be grabbed while picking any up. fighting ghosts in small areas is also intense and adds new dificulty. massive + is you have 2 games in 1 since you unlock a character at the end and it becomes a stealth game. you also get 'fanservice' with this character. those not buying because of so called censoring (end game costume unlocks) are just missing out big time. also the game gets creepy the more ghosts you see when you dread running into certain ghosts… Expand
  2. Steyraus
    Feb 1, 2021
    10
    Fatal Frame 5 might be the last true Survival Horror. Its Japanese Horror to its core and has all the hall marks of the best SH games.. Visually the game is gorgeous and very amospheric. Exploring Japanese houses and creepy forests have all the right sounds and effects that really pull you in... The game runs at a smooth 60Fps which is a treat on console. One feature that took some getingFatal Frame 5 might be the last true Survival Horror. Its Japanese Horror to its core and has all the hall marks of the best SH games.. Visually the game is gorgeous and very amospheric. Exploring Japanese houses and creepy forests have all the right sounds and effects that really pull you in... The game runs at a smooth 60Fps which is a treat on console. One feature that took some geting use to was the camera, but once you do , damn its fun. And considering most new horror games have no combat and are basicly just walking simulator puzzle games, it hard to complain about the feature..
    The game has great replayability with some of the best unlockables you can get, Fan Srrvice!!!yeah boi.. You unlock sexy outfits for the stunning woman in the game.. Which is the last great thing I will gush over, the attention to detail in the character and their animations. When your character gets wet their cloths drip and cling the their boddies. The waking and runing movement is spot on..

    If you are dissapointed with modern horror , with how lazy and boring they are. If your sick of walking around looking at stuff and soving a rudementry puzzle every half hour...Then try Fatal frame , it has exploration and some puzzles. But its paced well and its brocken up with combat. Kust like the otigional and best Survival Horror games were.    … Expand
  3. rikk
    Oct 30, 2015
    10
    Very good. Great graphics and sound. Controls are ok, not horrendous like some reviews make out. And using the gamepad as camera is really well implemented. Character models look great, enviroments are ok. I would have scored it an 8 but people are ruining the score because a costume got left out of the NA version or something, so they give the game a zero. But for me its 8. Decent game
  4. ps4misery
    Dec 3, 2015
    10
    A great horror game!
    As a Fatal Frame fan, I loved this game. It has a terrifying atmosphere, like any horror game should have, and the story is engaging, it'll keep you on the edge. The use of the gamepad as the camera is a bit odd, but it works well. People like to bring down this game because of the censorship in one scene, and while that is a bit disappointing
  5. DarkLordGig
    Nov 3, 2015
    10
    Seriously anyone who rips this game because "muh fanservice" was removed, should be ashamed of ever calling themselves a gamer. The gyro controls work perfectly for this game. The atmosphere is perfect. Those who say it isn't scary should go back to playing FNAF cause they are not true horror gamers.
  6. Mewzhong
    Oct 31, 2015
    10
    Fatal Frame V has one of the best atmosphere in horror game series. There are environmental buildups that are actually good and story is decent also (provided that you collected all the collectibles and read them). If you are expecting jump scares like outlast, don't. What is best in Fatal Frame V is the combat system. The camera controls via the game pad is smooth and unique for theFatal Frame V has one of the best atmosphere in horror game series. There are environmental buildups that are actually good and story is decent also (provided that you collected all the collectibles and read them). If you are expecting jump scares like outlast, don't. What is best in Fatal Frame V is the combat system. The camera controls via the game pad is smooth and unique for the console itself. Highly recommended for any Wii U owners (finally a game that utilizes the game pad). Controls are tank controls. It can be smooth but practice is needed to be mastered. Hint: To turn around, pull down the analog stick together with ZL, then press ZL again to change camera angles. For 'Censorships', i don't think Samus zero suit is any less hyper sexualized than the bikinis and if you really want bikinis that bad, go play dead or alive 5 instead of this game. I don't even know whether changing costumes cam be counted as a censorship in the first place.… Expand
  7. Enellos
    Nov 18, 2015
    10
    Gran episodio de la saga , es un indispensable del genero de terror en wii u.hay que jugarlo , pasaras gran parte del tiempo ennsuspenso , ademas tiene un gran uso del wiiu gamepad.
  8. mikevillagran
    Nov 17, 2015
    10
    I really like this kind of games, all the other negative comments are from people that don't have experience in this games, before criticize try the 3ds game and elder games of Fatal frame and you'll understand the role of this game.
  9. dressloarn
    Nov 5, 2015
    10
    dont listen to these western Reviewers. Metacritic doesnt even allow Japanese review sites like Famitsu or 4gamer to rate their own games first released in Japan by the way, its a fantastic game.
    Only downsize is Censorship ... thanks Nintendo for censoring a game rated 18
  10. allwititnow
    Feb 3, 2016
    10
    I want to first say thank you to Nintendo for finally releasing this game over here I first downloaded it when it first released but I haven't gotten around to playing it until the past 3 or 4 nights and I want to say that this game is an 8 or 9 but I gave it a 10 to help accommodate for the people that give it such low scores like a 0 or 1 which is ridiculous but I rate games on how muchI want to first say thank you to Nintendo for finally releasing this game over here I first downloaded it when it first released but I haven't gotten around to playing it until the past 3 or 4 nights and I want to say that this game is an 8 or 9 but I gave it a 10 to help accommodate for the people that give it such low scores like a 0 or 1 which is ridiculous but I rate games on how much they make me want to return to playing it and since I started playing this game I have not been able to put it down I think it's a fantastic exclusive for the Wii U it's a shame that not a lot of people will play this game just like the wonderful 101 which was another fantastic game that didn't sell huge but if the game was released on PlayStation 4 or Xbox one it would sell a ton of copies I have not played any of the other fatal frames so I can not compare it to them but I must say that I am extremely happy this game was released over here because they kept saying we were not going to get this game and I think it's definitely worth the money especially that you get to download the demo first which I didn't download I've been waiting for this game so long I just purchased it right away so it's very easy for everyone to make their own decision with the demo… Expand
  11. MadWolf84
    Oct 25, 2015
    10
    Great game and a lot of fun for fatal frame fans. Don't let rabid horndogs stray you away from this one. More like an 8-9 if we want to be technical, but balancing things out. :P
  12. Omnimon
    Oct 28, 2015
    10
    Great survival horror, narrative is very good, controls good response, graphics really beautiful and atmosphere very very darkness, Fatal Frame 5 is real survival horror in 8º gen.
  13. Panzerdragoonsa
    Oct 30, 2015
    10
    Wow. This is without a doubt the second best Fatal Frame game in the series, after Fatal Frame 2, Wii Edition. Absolutely amazing. Deeply upsetting and disturbing (depending on how you choose to play and whether you decide to view all the VHS clips etc). This is a genuinely horrifying work, and like all the great horror literature, this game will use your own imagination against you. KoeiWow. This is without a doubt the second best Fatal Frame game in the series, after Fatal Frame 2, Wii Edition. Absolutely amazing. Deeply upsetting and disturbing (depending on how you choose to play and whether you decide to view all the VHS clips etc). This is a genuinely horrifying work, and like all the great horror literature, this game will use your own imagination against you. Koei Tecmo have nailed it with Maiden Of Black Water. I really hope that the criticism that this game may attract isn't purely based upon the terrible decision not to release it physically in the US. Because that would just make matters worse for genuine survival horror fans. This game is a masterpiece, and it will forever be viewed as such! Just like Xenoblade Chronicles and Panzer Dragoon Saga.… Expand
  14. pelayus12
    Nov 11, 2015
    10
    I could tell you how much I enjoyed the game, I could tell you to ignore all the critics giving low scores, I could tell you that other users low scores are wrong but I'm won't.

    What I will tell you is this: Download the demo, go, do it and play it. Controls have a learning curve and even if you don't like the default gamepad setting you can tweak them but you'll still have to deal with    I could tell you how much I enjoyed the game, I could tell you to ignore all the critics giving low scores, I could tell you that other users low scores are wrong but I'm won't.

    What I will tell you is this: Download the demo, go, do it and play it. Controls have a learning curve and even if you don't like the default gamepad setting you can tweak them but you'll still have to deal with the learning curve so do it using the demo. Then if at the end of the demo you've enjoyed what you played despite the games flaws (because it has them), buy it because it means you will enjoy the whole game.    … Expand
  15. CandarianGaming
    Nov 18, 2015
    10
    If you want a slow, atmospheric mentally draining survival horror game, then I highly recommend. It follows themes of suicide and death and had me on edge for most of the game. It utilizes the wiiu gamepad in the best way possible, my favourite game so far this generation, I need more
  16. Tlale
    Dec 4, 2016
    10
    Amazing game, it is a great experience, the best fatal frame using the camera obscura. The atmosphere is absolutely perfect for a japanesse horror game
  17. Phuz
    Nov 9, 2020
    10
    I played a demo ages ago. It was great. I am writing though to say what the hell is wrong with people giving 0 scores because a bikini has been ditched. If it is that important, go on any free porn site and type in 3D. Problem solved. Seriously, zero scorss based on porn factor. Grow up you weird little freaks.
  18. Chovicha
    Aug 30, 2021
    10
    best game on wii u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  19. Dogi
    Oct 27, 2015
    9
    Game is old school true survivor horror. Great atmosphere and visuals. Old school controls. Must have game for wii u. Costumes are just cosmetic and take away nor add nothing really. Perfect for Halloween.
  20. takoDGO
    Oct 26, 2015
    9
    buen juego cumple perfecto con el orror que uno espera de este tipo de titulos ya que realmente me a asustado mas de 6 veces y eso para mi ya es bastante! sin mensionar que ya hasia falta un juego mas con clasificacion M para mi wii u1 lastima que aca en america solo salio en digital!!
  21. Hermylein
    Nov 6, 2015
    9
    Awesome game with awesome graphics and a creepy atmosphere.
    The gameplay with the gamepad as camera reminds me of pokemon snap and is a lot of fun :)
  22. skodathegreat
    Nov 1, 2015
    9
    I was a bit worried when ready some of the early reviews, as the games seems to have taken a bit of a slating.

    However, like most things in life, I would recommend anyone with even a slight interest in horror games to give this a try. The camera and movement controls seems a bit clunky, but I think they suit the game perfectly, and remind me a little of the tension created in the    I was a bit worried when ready some of the early reviews, as the games seems to have taken a bit of a slating.

    However, like most things in life, I would recommend anyone with even a slight interest in horror games to give this a try.

    The camera and movement controls seems a bit clunky, but I think they suit the game perfectly, and remind me a little of the tension created in the early Resident Evil games.

    Only bad move was using X for the camera obscura. Could have been better placed on ZL, with run moved to a stick click.

    The environment created for this game is spot on, and will be right up any Asian horror film fans street.

    As usual, forget the big game review sites and give it a try. Can be played on trial from the eshop, so really nothing to loose.    … Expand
  23. wezzmax
    Oct 24, 2015
    9
    The game is amazing, managed to keep me interested and entertained. The atmosphere is dark and creepy and the story, which is told, is intriguing and not simply thrown in your face, you should read a lot of things to figure out why everything is happening the way they happen. The game is slow paced perhaps not for all kinds of people, the textures are done well and in some parts fallThe game is amazing, managed to keep me interested and entertained. The atmosphere is dark and creepy and the story, which is told, is intriguing and not simply thrown in your face, you should read a lot of things to figure out why everything is happening the way they happen. The game is slow paced perhaps not for all kinds of people, the textures are done well and in some parts fall short, but in general are beautiful. My biggest problem with the game it’s the controls that can be annoying to the player and be responsively strange in some occasions especially if you are against a ghost in a small room. As for censorship, I did not find something relevant to the game, certainly, the word censorship takes a bad connotation, but still nothing to stop me enjoy the game.… Expand
  24. rickemrobo
    Oct 24, 2015
    9
    This game is a treat for Fatal Frame fans. Yes the controls are clunky and the frame rate is less than stellar, but the atmosphere is top notch, sound design is terrifyingly good and the story is incredibly intriguing. It's also fun to see how much more powerful you are when you upgrade your Camera Obscura and destroy ghosts that once menaced you hours ago. Give it a chance, download theThis game is a treat for Fatal Frame fans. Yes the controls are clunky and the frame rate is less than stellar, but the atmosphere is top notch, sound design is terrifyingly good and the story is incredibly intriguing. It's also fun to see how much more powerful you are when you upgrade your Camera Obscura and destroy ghosts that once menaced you hours ago. Give it a chance, download the free version. Its a solid game, especially in time for Halloween!… Expand
  25. RealSamurai
    Jun 26, 2016
    9
    I was mad about censorship at first, but it turns out that this is the lightest case of censoring the WiiU has seen these last years. You gotta respect that they actually replaced those bonus outfits instead of changing or just removing them.
  26. giio
    Sep 21, 2019
    9
    Un gran juego de horror japones que te sumerge en su historia a medida que avanzas
    el notable apartado grafico y su buena ambientacion hace que este titulo lo recomiende
    a quienes deseen pasarlo mal en la oscuridad ademas de tratar la historia de los antecesores de fatal frame espero que tecmo siga creando mas juegos de este estilo ahora lo unico malo son los skin que se han quedado    Un gran juego de horror japones que te sumerge en su historia a medida que avanzas
    el notable apartado grafico y su buena ambientacion hace que este titulo lo recomiende
    a quienes deseen pasarlo mal en la oscuridad ademas de tratar la historia de los antecesores
    de fatal frame espero que tecmo siga creando mas juegos de este estilo
    ahora lo unico malo son los skin que se han quedado en japon o europa pero aun asi sigue siendo un buen juego espero que salga para la switch
    pero si tienes una wii u tan solo te queda descargaro en la eshop y disfrutad de su terror y si te preguntas por el idioma eso no importa asi aprendes ingles y ya esta seguid apoyando estas sagas de horror que ahi muy pocas    … Expand
  27. PanPrado30
    Nov 15, 2021
    9
    In my opinion is the best part od Project Zero/Fatal frame. Beutiful characters, nice graphics, interested plot and incredible climate.
  28. baloon123
    Oct 31, 2015
    8
    I think every one is a bit hard on the game. Sure it has its flaws with the camera an it doesn't do much different from the rest of the series. But the story is still really good an thats all that matters with these tipe of games. An about the censorship did we really have sank this low that we have to alter the game score just because our version doesn't have naked girl's that's patheticI think every one is a bit hard on the game. Sure it has its flaws with the camera an it doesn't do much different from the rest of the series. But the story is still really good an thats all that matters with these tipe of games. An about the censorship did we really have sank this low that we have to alter the game score just because our version doesn't have naked girl's that's pathetic it doesn't change the story or the game play in any meaning full way. At first everybody want this to get localised and now nobody wants it any more did we forget what dis genre was really like… Expand
  29. tripenfall
    Nov 18, 2015
    8
    I have just completed the game and was seriously impressed. Initially I was concerned about the lack of actual game play in the early levels - it felt like an interactive movie of sorts where atmosphere is everything. Thankfully my concerns were unfounded, there is a good game underneath all the tension and the upgrades and different equipment gave the game much needed depth.
    Rather than    I have just completed the game and was seriously impressed. Initially I was concerned about the lack of actual game play in the early levels - it felt like an interactive movie of sorts where atmosphere is everything. Thankfully my concerns were unfounded, there is a good game underneath all the tension and the upgrades and different equipment gave the game much needed depth.
    Rather than jump scares that you may find in games like Until Dawn (PS4) Fatal Frame instead chooses to focus on very dark themes and fills you with a feeling of dread throughout. When I say dark I mean it, suicide and murder are detailed and shown in graphic detail but where the game really gets under your skin is when the protagonists start to succumb to those instincts themselves. Some surreal scenes are in the game that I won't spoil for you but the forest of hanging people and the stage with the CCTV get a special mention.
    The graphics are some of the best on Wii U and lighting and shadows are used to perfection. The game pad is used beautifully, this game could only be on Wii U. It's a shame that all the talk has been about the costumes and the lack of a physical release (which is crazy) but I live in Australia and if anyone can get the limited edition with the art book and extras it was well worth it and adds to the overall experience.
    This is my first time playing a game from this series, it hopefully won't be the last.    … Expand
  30. Datamari
    Apr 19, 2018
    8
    A great horror game!
    As a Fatal Frame fan, I loved this game. It has a terrifying atmosphere, like any horror game should have, and the story is engaging, it'll keep you on the edge. The use of the gamepad as the camera is a bit odd, but it works well. People like to bring down this game because of the censorship in one scene, and while that is a bit disappointing, this is a game about    A great horror game!
    As a Fatal Frame fan, I loved this game. It has a terrifying atmosphere, like any horror game should have, and the story is engaging, it'll keep you on the edge. The use of the gamepad as the camera is a bit odd, but it works well. People like to bring down this game because of the censorship in one scene, and while that is a bit disappointing, this is a game about horror, not looking at lewd Japanese girls. The controls do seem a bit clunky, and the encounters do seem repetitive at times. But the environments, the horror element, everything about this game makes it worth that huge download.

    Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water gets an 8/10.    … Expand
prev
Page:

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
See all critic reviews »