![]() Fatal Frame IV seems to be using a soft filter on some of the edges and textures to make them fit with the increased resolution. The current preview version was limited to only 720p visuals, so we couldn’t do a full stress test to see how the game would perform on much higher PC settings, but it was already a step up from the previous experience offered by the original game. The improved visuals definitely make the strong art style stand out more than it did back on the Wii version, which is always a good thing for the Fatal Frame series. ![]() Overall, the visuals are still easier on the eyes compared to playing even an upscaled version of the original. While not quite a remake, the updated visuals definitely give a more modern look for this updated version. Some of the textures and geometry were actually updated from the original, with most of the faces and some other details re-designed or updated to look a bit sharper, similar to how the first Fatal Frame game was updated when ported to the Xbox console in 2002. The new higher resolution and framerate are definitely a step up from the original version as well, though, in its current state, it clashes a bit with some of the animations which haven’t yet been updated to match the increased framerate. The developer plans to add this control setup for the full release in a few weeks, but for now, we could only use the standard controller settings. Keyboard/mouse controls were not yet available, so they couldn’t be tested. It’s a welcome addition to be able to play the game on a standard controller and makes it fit a little closer to the gameplay experience of the rest of the series.įor this preview, the control scheme was limited to using a standard Xbox/PlayStation-style dual-analog setup. This version of the game definitely plays tighter and gives you a more accurate control experience, as opposed to struggling with the questionable WiiMote accuracy in the original version. This new translation certainly improves the clarity of the clues and notes you’ll find around the game, making the story and progression a little bit smoother than the fan-made translation. While there was a fan translation of Fatal Frame IV released back in the early 2010s, this remaster is the first time it’s getting an official English translation since its release fifteen years ago. The controls feel snappy and responsive, even if there is a little bit less freedom in how you can control the flashlight, but it doesn’t really detract from the gameplay. This includes a much-needed quick-turn feature, an over-the-shoulder camera style, added navigation hints after obtaining certain items or solving certain puzzles, the addition of suspenseful item pickup animations, and an auto-tracking feature that snaps to the nearest ghost of any kind when you pull out the Camera Obscura.Īll these improvements to the game shine brighter than ever in the remaster, especially the added accuracy of the new control scheme, which doesn’t involve motion tracking like in the original Wii version. Suda had a strong pedigree of unconventional and unique Japanese horror games before this, including the Twilight Syndrome series, Moonlight Syndrome, Killer 7, and Michigan: Report From Hell.įatal Frame 4 marked a big step forward in several ways for the series, changing up several game mechanics to make things more streamlined and accessible, and less clunky overall. ![]() Well, I got a chance to go hands-on with a playable preview build of the game a full month before its release, and I’m happy to report that it’s looking and feeling great so far.įor those who aren’t aware, Fatal Frame 4 was a Japan-only release on the Nintendo Wii in 2008 and was directed by game auteur Suda51 and his team at Grasshopper Manufacture instead of being entirely in-house at Tecmo for the first time in the series. As we approach the release of the remastered version of the “lost” Fatal Frame game in the West, Fatal Frame 4: Mask Of The Lunar Eclipse in March, many are curious to see how much it improves on the original. ![]()
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