What is Fatal Frame about?

Fatal Frame (known as Project Zero in Japan) is a series of Japanese survival horror games. While they aren’t generally as well-known as Silent Hill or Resident Evil, fans of the genre hold the series in high regard. 2003’s Fatal Frame: Crimson Butterfly has received particularly high acclaim and is sometimes regarded as among the scariest horror games developed.

The series consists of five core titles and a few unrelated spin-offs. The first game of the series, simply called Fatal Frame, first released on the PS2 in 2001. The last new entry was 2014’s, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water on the Wii. Most recently, however, the fourth game of the series, 2008’s Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, received a 2023 remaster on modern platforms. This was also the first time it was localized for the West.

If you’re new to the series (which is probably why you’re here), I feel I must warn you that the games suffer some particular trappings that were somewhat common with the era’s survival horror games. Most notably, the combat sucks to varying levels. I consider myself a fan of the games, but while I think the stories and atmosphere make the experience worthwhile, I recognize that the single greatest obstacle for newcomers is going to be the controls and combat. With that in mind, let’s move on.

What is Fatal Frame about?

The games of the Fatal Frame series don’t share a continuous storyline. While characters from one game may be mentioned in another, the narratives rarely impact each other in any significant way. The major difference is Fatal Frame III, in which the protagonist from the original game plays a prominent role. However, typically, you can pick up any one of the sequels without having played the prior games as they each tell their own individual story.

However, in terms of what they’re about, they’re all about exploring derelict locations armed only with a camera that can stave off the attacks from angry spirits. The Camera Obscura appears in every game in the series, and works in generally the same way. Ghosts will attack you as you unravel the mystery in each title, and you need to eliminate them by taking their picture.

When you boil everything down, that’s what Fatal Frame is really about. It’s exploring haunted locations armed with only a camera. Usually, the stories are themed around rituals, folklore, and sacrifice, but when you get down to it, the recipe is this:

Ghosts and cameras.