Note to Editors: Please put alternative English Patch names in Misc Info sections. With character bios, please make sure character bios explain the actions/history of the character in question, don't go into great detail of the actions and motivations of other characters. :)
Fatal Frame
From 零Wiki
For more uses of the term see Fatal Frame (Disambiguation)
| Fatal Frame | |
| |
| 零～zero～ Rei ～zero～ Project Zero | |
| Developer(s): | Tecmo |
| Publisher(s): | Tecmo |
| Distributor(s): | Tecmo & Wanadoo (Euro) |
| Release date: | 2001 & 2002; reissue (Japan) 2007 |
| Genre: | Survival Horror |
| Game modes: | Easy, Normal, Hard, Nightmare, Fatal (Xbox version) |
| Ratings: | Japan - CERO C (15+); USA - ESRB T (Teen); Europe - ELSPA 18+ |
| Countries: | Japan, US, Europe |
| Platform(s): | PlayStation 2, Xbox |
Fatal Frame is the first game in the Fatal Frame Series, released for the PS2 & Xbox consoles.
Contents |
Storyline
- "I wonder how long it's been... since my brother and I... began to see things that other people couldn't see..."
- ―Miku Hinasaki src
Nine days have passed since Mafuyu, brother of Miku Hinasaki, had disappeared.
It all began about a month ago.
The media reported that the famous novelist Junsei Takamine disappeared while gathering research for an upcoming novel. Mafuyu, an aspiring journalist, suspected that something was wrong. Why would his mentor simply vanish into thin air? Mafuyu decided to conduct a private search for his friend, with the investigation eventually leading to the grounds of a secluded mansion. The Himuro Mansion stands silent and imposing deep within the forest. It's said that years ago the mansion belonged to a powerful landowner who had absolute control over the area. But now it's a shadow of its former self, dilapidated and desolate...
As Mafuyu searched the mansion, he found scraps of paper left by Junsei and his staff throughout the mansion. The writings recounted a number of ominous events that happened in the mansion's dark past. Eager to find additional clues within the mansion, Mafuyu rushed in and suddenly realized that he wasn't alone...
Miku came to the Himuro mansion in search of her missing brother. But she had no idea what she was getting into...
- - -
- Opening description from the "Fatal Frame" Manual
Release dates
PlayStation 2
- Japan - December 13th 2001
- US - April 3rd 2002
- Europe - August 30th 2002
- Japan re-issue (PlayStation 2 The Best) - August 1st 2002
- Japan re-issue (PlayStation 2 The Best) - November 11th 2007
Xbox
- Japan - February 6th 2003
- US - November 22nd 2002
- Europe - May 2nd 2003
Main Characters
Miku is a high school/college girl (depending on the version you play) with a strong sixth sense. After her father died on an archaeological expedition, and her mother, Miyuki Hinasaki, soon after committed suicide, it's just been Miku and her brother, Mafuyu. The two siblings are very close, both sharing a sixth sense that they keep secret from others, so when Mafuyu doesn't come back after nine days of following his mentor into the 'haunted' Himuro Mansion, Miku goes after him. In the Japanese version of the game, Miku is listed as being seventeen years old.
Mafuyu, twenty-one years old, is the elder brother of Miku and an aspiring novelist. Like Miku, he possesses a strong sixth sense. Since his parents died, Mafuyu has been taking care of his sister. Upon hearing that his mentor hasn't returned from doing research at the 'haunted' Himuro Mansion, Mafuyu himself goes to investigate, taking with him a special camera his mother left to him and Miku, and mysteriously disappears.
Nights
- Himuro Intro
- Strangling Ritual
- Demon Tag
- The Calamity
- Kirie
Regional & Console Differences
Regional
- The main series name differs in Japan, Europe, and North America.
- Voice actors.
- Miku's character design was different in the original Japanese release. The new design is slightly more anglicized, with auburn hair instead of black and different clothing. (In the original, she is clearly in a school girl uniform.) This design was carried over for the Japanese version of the Xbox port. It is also the design used in Fatal Frame III.
- After the game was originally released on the PS2 in all regions, it was ported to the Xbox with a litany of new features and a few other changes that will be detailed below. In Japan and only Japan. For this reason, the Japanese version of these games uses the "Fatal Frame" series name, instead of 零～Zero～.
- Another re-release of the PS2 version from the Best of the Best series was reprinted of the first three games in anticipation of the fourth game for the Wii console.
Console
- The Xbox version contains additional notes and diaries, a new "Nightmare" difficulty level with a new boss and a new ending ("Photograph") attached, extra costumes, and a few more hidden ghosts. The numeric puzzle dials were also changed from Japanese kanji to Roman numbers.
- Only the PS2 version of Fatal Frame will result in a Miku Monster for Monster Rancher 4.
Game Inspirations
Based on a True Story?
- Main article: Based on a true story?
When Fatal Frame was released to the US & Europe (as well as the subsequent Xbox release to all regions), the tagline "based on a true story" was added to the cover. This caused a huge debate—that continues to this day—over what events (if any) in the game are actually factual. Taken from Tecmo's official press release concerning the issue:[1] "The game’s frightening story is based upon two Japanese folk tales, both originating from the rural mountainous regions of the country."
Suggested Inspired Sources
- Ringu—while Kikuchi has continuously discounted any relation/inspiration to Ringu, Makoto Shibata has credited the movies infamous 'ending scene' as inspiration for the up close and personal fighting style of the series.
- Tsuyama Massacre in Kaio Village near Tsuyama in Okayama, Japan. (suggested by fans)
- Tōno Monogatari—stories by Kunio Yanagita, one includes a house that appears randomly in the forest. (suggested by fans)
- Otogiriso—a PS1 game series that has similar themes to the first Fatal Frame. The movie inspired by this videogame has often been confused as being inspired by Fatal Frame.
Books
Misc Info
- The game's infamous tag line "based on a true story" was not used on the original Japanese release version of the game.
- The PAL Xbox version of the game is NOT backwards compatible with the Xbox360.
- This game is now discontinued.
- Fatal Frame Staff
Official Links
http://www.tecmo.co.jp/product/zero/
http://www.tecmo.co.jp/product/ff/index.htm
http://www.fatalframe.com/ (Currently not working)
References
- ↑ Tecmo unveils Fatal Frame's true story (April 10, 2002). Tecmo has unveiled the true story behind the scary Fatal Frame. Press Release. Retrieved on 2009-03-01.http://www.ps2fantasy.com/news/200204/1018460889.php
In Other Languages:
English - 
Français
| Fatal Frame Series |
|---|
| Fatal Frame - Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly - Fatal Frame III: The Tormented Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse |
