Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipsehas been an elusive game for fans in the West for the last fifteen years. Released for the Wiiexclusively in Japan in 2008, this survival horror game finally finds its way to North America and Europe for the first time with its fresh new remaster.
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This may also be the perfect time for newcomers to get involved with theFatal Frameseries. With its unique photography-based mechanics and the age of the original game, new players may need a little help navigating the world for the first time. Here are just a few pointers to watch out for inFatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse.
10Watch The Item Filament
Items aren’t immediately visible until the light has been shined on them. Some of these items will appear by accident when the character casually walks past, but others will need a more thorough investigation.
This is where the Item Filament comes in. Appearing in the bottom right of the screen as soon as the player obtains the Camera Obscura, it will glow blue in the presence of an item. Use it to figure out where best to shine the flashlight to find everything, from important documents to health items.
9Quick Turns
Movement inMask of the Lunar Eclipseis not as smooth as in other, more recent games. This is a relic of it being a gamebuilt for the Wii Remote and Nunchukin 2008, so it can feel a little stiff. Movement is a slightly looser form of tank controls, and sometimes it can be too easy to get stuck in corridors.
This is where the quick turn ability is incredibly useful. With a click of either analog stick, Ruka, Misaki, and Choshiro will do a quick 180-degree turn to face behind them. Learning to use this effectively is invaluable in mastering the game’s controls.
8Keep An Eye Out For Specters
In addition to the hostile Wraiths that the player will fight throughout the game,there’s another type of ghostthat players should keep an eye out for. Specters are ghosts who will show up as players move around the game’s locations, usually moving down a corridor or appearing in certain rooms. They disappear quickly, so fast reactions are needed to capture them on camera.
It’s also important to keep an eye out for them, as capturing them is rewarded with points that can be used later. Always be ready for something to jump out. The game will usually point the character in the right direction, but be ready to make fine adjustments where necessary.
7Use Film Conservatively
The Camera Obscura is the weapon of choice for most of the cast ofMask of the Lunar Eclipse. Like all old cameras, it uses film, but supplies of it are limited. Film comes in Type-14, Type-61, Type-90, and Type-00, each one offering more exorcism power. Higher tiers of film are best left for tougher encounters, especially later in the game.
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The game does have an infinite film type, Type-07, but it’s weak in fights. Ideally, this should be equipped when wandering around, ready to use against specters to save more powerful film resources for dangerous encounters. As soon as a fight against a more deadly ghost happens, film can be quickly changed to something more powerful in camera mode using the directional buttons.
6Charging Shots
Combat inFatal Frameencourages players to face their fears head-on. Ghosts can only be defeated with the camera, putting the player in a first-person mode, where they have to look directly at the horrors they’re fighting. It can be tempting to snap a lot of pictures quickly out of fear and desperation.
However, this is often a waste of film, and it’s best to hold the viewfinder on a ghost for a while to let the camera charge up its power. The longer a ghost is held in the camera’s view, the more damage a shot will do when it’s taken. The game even has a helpful lock-on feature, likely due to helpwith the original Wii motion controls, to help keep focus.
5Fatal Frames
In addition to charged shots, there’s another way for players to inflict maximum damage on their ghostly opponents, but it’s also one of the more tense and risky mechanics. It’s also what the series is named for, withthe mechanic being around since the PS2.
A Fatal Frame is when the player takes their shot at the exact moment a ghost is about to attack. Taking the shot in this short time window inflicts a ton of damage, and opens up the ability to chain extra shots immediately after. For those struggling with the timing, the Alarm function is unlocked in Chapter 2, which flashes an extra visual signifier at the right moment.
4Beware Of Blossoming
Mask of the Lunar Eclipsehas a unique mechanic not seen in any otherFatal Framegame – blossoming. There is an aspect of the story that involves the concept of blossoming, where someone’s face gets horribly distorted thanks to supernatural forces.
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In gameplay, this can happen randomly to the wraiths being fought. This makes them more powerful and faster. Being aware that this can happen at any time means the player should always try and be prepared for this because being left without powerful film or healing can make these encounters extremely stressful.
3Don’t Treat The Flashlight Like A Camera
While Ruka and Misaki use the Camera Obscura,Chapter 3 introduces Choshiro, who uses the Spirit Stone Flashlight as his weapon. This works a little differently from the camera, and it can take a while to get used to as a result. For starters, it’s important to remember that every shot needs to be charged by holding the shoot button for a moment, as opposed to the quick snap of the camera.
It’s also important to keep an eye on the Flashlight’s charge. Instead of using film, the Flashlight charges automatically, but only when Choshiro isn’t in Viewfinder Mode. It’s best to come out of this in between shots to stay charged up.
2Spirit Stones
One item found throughout the game is Spirit Stones, which are used for upgrading the camera and flashlight. These are important items that players should always keep an eye out for.
With enough Spirit Stones, both ghost weapons can be made more powerful, increasing their damage and reducing their charge. It’s important to keep on top of these upgrades as ghosts get more powerful as the game progresses. Upgradesalso carry over to New Game Plus, which is useful when finishing off the Ghost List.
1Use The Shop
One useful feature that players should make use of inMask of the Lunar Eclipseis the save point’s shop function. Using points gained from taking pictures of ghosts, players can grab assorted essential items that they may be low on. This is alsowhere costumes can be changed.
The most useful items are the Type-14 film and Herbal Medicines, which are decent film and healing items, respectively, and both of which are likely to be used by the player a lot throughout the game.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipseis out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch.
