This was always going to be one of my most wanted games after loving the original Fatal Frames new take on the horror genre so much, and after an hours play I am pretty satisfied with this sequel.
Its much like the original, in style, gameplay and visuals, with similar sound effects, a typically grainy feel and rather crudely animated central charecters, Mio and Mayu. The partnership is quite endearing, and I expect and hope this is exploited to its full potential as the game pans out. You take control of the younger sister, Mio, whom after following Mayu who was chasing a crimson butterfly (of the games title nonetheless!) through the woods of a place they used to play together in, ends up in a deserted place known ominously as the Lost Villiage. All thats known up to now is that this place once was subject to a entire towns massacre, which is hauntingly repeated every year.
Initially the control confuses, but then this wouldnt be a survival horror game were it not for the clumsy control system would it. Using the left stick to move about is easy enough, but when coupled with the right stick which is used to move the camera as well things get tricky to say the least. Also, Mayu has an annoying habit of getting in the way at the most inopportune moments.
Id rather not focus too much on the bad, as what Ive played so far has been most enjoyable, and needless to say, very creepy and dare I say it, scary, indeed. Sound is often an overlooked aspect in many games, yet here its used to good effect, with quiet whisperings abound heightening an already tense atmosphere. Mayu can also be helpful, often indicating times which will trigger the next event for progression, calling you when you drift too far away from her and letting you know she feels a presence which will no doubt turn out to be an enemy of some sort. Enemies, of which I am yet to do real battle with, so far its been a case of simply warming me up with harmless ghosts you have to snap before they fadeoff into obscurity. But Ive played the original, I know what horrors to expect to follow throughout the game. So long as there are no dolls with knives Im sure I can take it. Possibly.
I recall the original, someone asked why the game was regarded as being so frightening, I then asked how he played it to which he replied "on a big screen, in my living room with the lights on". If you are going to play this game and want to appreciate it, please do so by switching the lights off, turning the volume up and if you are able to, sit in front of an open door (beleive me, this works for added shocks!).
Not for the faint of heart.
Its much like the original, in style, gameplay and visuals, with similar sound effects, a typically grainy feel and rather crudely animated central charecters, Mio and Mayu. The partnership is quite endearing, and I expect and hope this is exploited to its full potential as the game pans out. You take control of the younger sister, Mio, whom after following Mayu who was chasing a crimson butterfly (of the games title nonetheless!) through the woods of a place they used to play together in, ends up in a deserted place known ominously as the Lost Villiage. All thats known up to now is that this place once was subject to a entire towns massacre, which is hauntingly repeated every year.
Initially the control confuses, but then this wouldnt be a survival horror game were it not for the clumsy control system would it. Using the left stick to move about is easy enough, but when coupled with the right stick which is used to move the camera as well things get tricky to say the least. Also, Mayu has an annoying habit of getting in the way at the most inopportune moments.
Id rather not focus too much on the bad, as what Ive played so far has been most enjoyable, and needless to say, very creepy and dare I say it, scary, indeed. Sound is often an overlooked aspect in many games, yet here its used to good effect, with quiet whisperings abound heightening an already tense atmosphere. Mayu can also be helpful, often indicating times which will trigger the next event for progression, calling you when you drift too far away from her and letting you know she feels a presence which will no doubt turn out to be an enemy of some sort. Enemies, of which I am yet to do real battle with, so far its been a case of simply warming me up with harmless ghosts you have to snap before they fadeoff into obscurity. But Ive played the original, I know what horrors to expect to follow throughout the game. So long as there are no dolls with knives Im sure I can take it. Possibly.
I recall the original, someone asked why the game was regarded as being so frightening, I then asked how he played it to which he replied "on a big screen, in my living room with the lights on". If you are going to play this game and want to appreciate it, please do so by switching the lights off, turning the volume up and if you are able to, sit in front of an open door (beleive me, this works for added shocks!).
Not for the faint of heart.
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