The Fatal Frame series stands alongside survival horror heavyweights Silent Hill and Resident Evil as one of the most iconic names in the genre. The first title was released back in 2001 and paved the way for a slew of sequels, most of which were received well by both critics and fans. The games put a unique twist on the survival horror formula, utilizing an in-game camera system that forces players to confront the horrors that haunt them.
Fatal Frame has been dormant since 2014. The last entry in the series, Maiden of Black Water, was released as a Wii U exclusive and was received well by most outlets. After nearly a decade of radio silence, Koei Tecmo is putting the game back into the spotlight with a remastered version for eight and ninth-generation consoles alongside a PC launch. These great Japanese horror titles are perfect for players who enjoy what the game has to offer.
8 Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly
- Released: November 27, 2003
- Developer: Tecmo
Fans of Maiden of Black Water might want to delve deeper into the Fatal Frame series. A good place to start would be with 2003's Crimson Butterfly, which is still considered to be among the best games in the series.
The game follows twin sisters Mio and Mayu Amakura as they visit an abandoned village with a dubious past. When a vengeful spirit puts Mayu under the village's spell, Mio must do whatever she can to learn about its past while trying to save her sister. Crimson Butterfly has one of the best narratives in the series, and the gameplay set the bar for future titles. This is an absolute must-play for those wanting to see what else the series has to offer.
7 Shadow Corridor
- Released: March 8, 2019
- Developer: KazukiShiroma
Shadow Corridor is an ambitious indie title that will unnerve players with its haunting atmospheric horror. The game is in first-person, which has become commonplace among modern horror titles.
Players explore various Japanese settings, each one with some sort of paranormal presence haunting it. The maps are massive, and the game manages to stay fresh throughout its run. Players can get multiple playthroughs out of Shadow Corridor while experiencing something new every time.
6 Corpse Party
- Released: August 12, 2010
- Developer: Team GrisGris
The original Corpse Party was released in 1996 as an RPG Maker title and would go on to gain a cult following among Japanese fans of the survival horror genre. Team GrisGris would release a remake a decade later, kicking off what's been a fairly under-the-radar but successful horror franchise.
The first title follows a group of students and their teacher, who are trapped inside a haunted school in an alternate dimension following a ritual gone wrong. The game has a multitude of different endings for players to stumble onto, and makes the most of its ensemble cast. It's a fairly gory and incredibly descriptive experience which might not be for the faint of heart. But Corpse Party remains a horror indie gem all these years later.
5 Siren: Blood Curse
- Released: July 24, 2008
- Developer: Japan Studio
The first Siren debuted around the same time as Fatal Frame did. But the two horror series did not enjoy the same level of success in the years after their release. Though the first game was well-received, it was only followed by two more titles before the series fell off the face of the earth altogether.
The third and final entry, Blood Curse, is probably the strongest of the three, and benefits from various quality of life improvements. It is a re-imagining of the first title and follows a group of characters as they try to survive the different horrors plaguing a cursed village in Japan. Like previous entries, Blood Curse makes good use of stealth mechanics, prompting players to be patient in certain sections while also putting them in some nerve-racking situations.
4 Rule of Rose
- Released: January 19, 2006
- Developer: Punchline
Rule of Rose gained a fair bit of attention for its controversial themes and narrative when it was released in 2006. The dispute around it certainly didn't do the title any favors, and the game has long since been forgotten to time.
At its core, Rule of Rose is an ambitious psychological horror title with a disturbing narrative and all the makings of a cult-classic game. Players take control of a young woman named Jennifer, as she navigates through an abandoned orphanage and tries to survive within the impromptu society created by the young girls who inhabit it. The game focuses on the severe childhood traumas of both Jennifer and the orphan girls. Though it can be difficult to stomach at times, Rule of Rose separates itself from many survival horror titles of its era and delivers a memorable, thought-provoking experience for horror fans.
3 Haunting Ground
Released: April 21, 2005
Developer: Capcom
Haunting Ground was described as a spiritual successor to the Clock Tower series, and its gameplay does feel similar to Clock Tower 3's at times. The game follows a young woman named Fiona, who tries to escape a mysterious castle with the help of a White Shepard named Hewie following a car crash.
Throughout the game, certain situations will make Fiona stressed. This will manifest in various ways, such as the menu being inaccessible, visibility becoming worse, and the player losing control of Fiona as she runs away. Players can either use items or wait things out to get Fiona back to normal. Taking control away from the player is something that not enough horror games play with, and the mechanic is part of what made haunting Ground such a unique experience.
2 Silent Hill 3
- Released: May 23, 2003
- Developer: Konami (Team Silent)
The Silent Hill franchise is one that many fans of the horror genre are familiar with. Most fans will agree that the first three or four games were the best the series had to offer, but every title has managed to capture some element of what makes Silent Hill's atmosphere and lore so special.
Fans and critics often credit Silent Hill 2 as being the best entry in the series. But its successor was every bit as good. Players take control of Heather Mason, whose connection to the occultic town is revisited years after she escaped in the first game. The gameplay is similar to the previous entries, and it still holds up as one of the greatest survival horror games of its time.
1 Clock Tower 3
- Released: December 12, 2002
- Developer: Capcom
No series might be as important to the survival horror genre as Clock Tower. The four-game series was short-lived, and was heavily panned for its stiff gameplay, but would go on to lay the groundwork for future successes in the mid-90s.
Clock Tower 3 served as the series' swan song and was released as a PS2 exclusive. Instead of the traditional point-and-click gameplay utilized in previous entries, Clock Tower 3 would mimic the style of its contemporaries and give players direct control of the main character, Alyssa. Like other entries, combat takes a backseat to stealth and evasion. It's a great way to revisit a forgotten series and still holds up as a fun survival horror experience.
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water will release for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on October 28th.