Status TheChampionTiger Oct 28, 2025
On the final night. Hopefully I can finish it today.
Fatal Frame (2001)
3.96 from 362 ratings
954 members have it in their collection · 36 playing now · 307 backlogged · 284 wish listed
How long? Main story 7h · with extras 8h · 100% 31h (from 11 logged playthroughs)
Fatal Frame is the first game of the Fatal Frame series, introducing the franchise's unique premise of fighting ghosts with a special camera.
Fatal Frame was the first to introduce the innovative use of an old-style camera as the primary weapon. In addition to navigating the main characters around the mansion grounds, players are able to enter Viewfinder Mode, where …
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Fatal Frame is the first game of the Fatal Frame series, introducing the franchise's unique premise of fighting ghosts with a special camera.
Fatal Frame was the first to introduce the innovative use of an old-style camera as the primary weapon. In addition to navigating the main characters around the mansion grounds, players are able to enter Viewfinder Mode, where the camera is raised and the view changes to that of the camera's frame. In viewfinder mode the player is able to snap photographs of ghosts, both violent and benign, which is the main method of progressing through the game. Items are also available, some being consumable and most being key items needed to unlock doors, complete tasks or solve puzzles. Puzzles are encountered frequently in the game, some being based on the same concept but becoming progressively more difficult. The varying difficulty settings of the game (Easy, Normal, Hard, Nightmare, or Fatal (Xbox only)) determine the amount of consumable items scattered throughout the mansion and how formidable the enemies are.
The main horror aspect of the game is, undoubtedly, the ghosts. The mechanics programmed for the ghosts allow them to float ethereally through the air, walls and floors, and even teleport, allowing them many ways to attack the player. The ghosts' appearances are usually inspired by their deaths or by Japanese stigmas of horror, which, some argue, are particularily chilling.
The game, depending on which console it is played on, offers two endings. Upon completion of the game, a ranking is given based on total time taken, points accumulated and other categories. The player is also given rewards and unlockables, such as alternate costumes and camera functions, depending on what difficulty was beaten, how much of the Ghost List was completed and other criteria. Beating the game also unlocks Battle Mode, where the player is faced with fighting specific ghosts, and is rewarded with points towards purchasing unlockables. An option is also given where the game can be replayed with all equipment, upgrades and unlockables carried over.
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Details
- Developers
- Tecmo
- Publishers
- Tecmo, Wanadoo Edition
- Genres
- Adventure
- Themes
- Horror, Survival
- Series
- Fatal Frame
Release dates
- Dec 13, 2001 (Full Release) (Japan) PlayStation 2
- Mar 04, 2002 (Full Release) (North_America) PlayStation 2
- Aug 27, 2002 (Full Release) (Korea) PlayStation 2
- Aug 30, 2002 (Full Release) (Europe) PlayStation 2
- Apr 09, 2013 (Digital Compatibility Release) (North_America) PlayStation 3
Also available on
- Fatal Frame (2002) · XBOX
Featured in lists
Rating distribution
5 stars
105
4 stars
157
3 stars
82
2 stars
16
1 star
2
Community All Reviews Statuses
Status TheChampionTiger Oct 27, 2025
Oh man. There's a limited amount of healing items in this game, isn't there?
Status BurningKirby Jul 18, 2024
Finished!
The 'D' stands for "Doesn't get much better than this", right?
I'll probably write up a review later tonight or tomorrow. It was a very rough experience, so it's probably gonna be a little heavy on complaining and ranting, lol. Glad I pushed through it though.
Status HugoPolo Nov 27, 2022
Wow I finally played this game in 2022. I woud've spent so much time on this if I didn't experience better gaming experiences since then. I regret so much not knowing this game back in 2001 ! This is a gem of a game when it comes to sound design and image composition. I appreciate these poltergeist/horror/spooky games with a …
Wow I finally played this game in 2022. I woud've spent so much time on this if I didn't experience better gaming experiences since then. I regret so much not knowing this game back in 2001 ! This is a gem of a game when it comes to sound design and image composition. I appreciate these poltergeist/horror/spooky games with a good scenario that often keeps me on the edge of my seat then a clunky gameplay.
Story is a lot to me, that's why I play games, to live a story at the pace I want and have the feeling I'm spending quality time on it. Fatal Frame is a 2001 quality game for it's time though I wouldn't recommend it today.
Don't take me wrong, this is a gem of a game but rough around the edges... The atmosphere is what catches the eyes immediately, the creepy characters and this unease feeling you have while exploring the areas where ghosts can appear from nowhere.
The story is pretty straight forward and using the camera obscura (main feature of the game) feels ... how can I put this?.... AWFUL ! Man this is the worst experience I felt in years. What happened ??? but it adds to the experience nevertheless. And on the long run, you get some grasps on how controling that camera... with inversed stick layout ! GUH !!
Oh the riddles are just the worst part of the experience. I don't really know how I managed to get through them...
Fatal Frame is definitely an experience to live at least once! Don't force yourself on playing a game you don't appreciate. There are so many games out there that a way better. Play it for the lore of the PS2 games ;)
Status Sir_Laguna Oct 14, 2021
I'm back with my Fatal Frame 'special' in GamerFocus with the first part of a retrospective on the series (in spanish).
This one covers the inspirations behing the franchise and the three first games. Second part should be ready next week.
I also hope you liked my previous article about the mythos and shinto influences on this games.
I'm back with my Fatal Frame 'special' in GamerFocus with the first part of a retrospective on the series (in spanish).
This one covers the inspirations behing the franchise and the three first games. Second part should be ready next week.
I also hope you liked my previous article about the mythos and shinto influences on this games.
Status cruise332 Oct 10, 2020
Is it normal for a game store to have multiple sealed copies of ps2 games still available? I went to a store recently that had multiple sealed copies of Fatal Frame 1, 2 and 3. $50 CAD each, which seems to be substantially below the going Ebay price. I can't detect any signs of re-sealing or any kind of forgery …
Read moreIs it normal for a game store to have multiple sealed copies of ps2 games still available? I went to a store recently that had multiple sealed copies of Fatal Frame 1, 2 and 3. $50 CAD each, which seems to be substantially below the going Ebay price. I can't detect any signs of re-sealing or any kind of forgery but I'm no expert.
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Status Hikaruboom Apr 16, 2020
Beat this today! Got through even after MY EYES! MY EYES! stole all my health items. Starting 2 tomorrow.
Status JayNBeeGaming Aug 21, 2015
Our initial playthrough was August 4th through August 18th! We Will be revisiting this game once we have completed the other games. :P