Fans are calling Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water’s unorthodox looking head accessory “scarier than the ghosts”

Publication date of the original Japanese article: 2021-10-02 21:15 (JST)
Translated by. Matthew Parker

Koei Tecmo Games have announced the preorder bonus costumes for Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water on October 1. The designs are gaining a lot of attention for being very “avant-garde.”

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is Japanese style horror adventure game nearing its October 28 release date. This is a remastered version of the game which was originally released on the Wii U in 2014 and is slated for release on PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S/Nintendo Switch as well as for Steam on PC.

The story takes place on Mt. Hikami, feared as the “mountain of death.” Searching for the whereabouts of those who have disappeared atop the sacred mountain, the eerie story is interwoven between the three protagonists of Yuri, Miu and Ren.

In addition to the graphics which have seen a facelift, the remastered edition also features additional content. This includes a number of costumes for the three playable characters. The game features the ability to change the characters’ outfits, which now includes the “Punk Ensemble” for Yuri and the “Cutesy Goth Ensemble (White)” for Miu to name a few. Numerous new accessories such as the “Maid’s Hairband” are also included which further help to bring out the charm of the heroines. A crossover outfit from Koei Tecmo Games’ own Atelier Ryza will also be available as an early purchase bonus.

Moreover, new preorder bonuses were revealed on October 1. This includes two new accessories, the first of which is the “Witch’s Hat” and is wearable by both Yuri and Miu. It’s a traditional pointed witch’s hat garnished with some gothic looking decorations on it, giving it a truly bewitching, yet beautiful look. The second preorder accessory is called the “Camera Obscura Hat.” As you can see from the image below, it is quite literally a Camera Obscura accessory worn over the head.

The Camera Obscura is a key item in Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water. It has the ability to exorcise and seal away ghosts by taking pictures of them. Major damage can be dealt by combining “Spirit Fragments” (which are emitted by ghosts after successful shots of them are taken) as well as close-up shots of said ghosts to produce “Fatal Frames.” By equipping stronger lenses and switching out different types of film allow you to take even more powerful photos. Its ability to take pictures of things not visible to the eye means it plays an invaluable role in exploration and puzzle solving.

The Camera Obscura which plays such an important role has now been audaciously made into something to wear. Yuri, Miu and Ren are all capable of equipping it, but since it completely covers the head, it nearly makes the characters indistinguishable from each other. It looks almost as if the Camera Obscura has replaced the character from their neck up, which gives off a strong impression and some may find it to be quite spooky as its robotic look covers up all facial expressions.

Some reactions on Twitter have even claimed it to be “even scarier than the ghosts.” Also due to the head becoming a camera, there are many that are reminded of the Japanese movie theatre Anti-Piracy Mascot “NO MORE Eiga Dorobou.”

Following a lineup filled with various cute accessories, it is unclear what Koei Tecmo Games’ intentions are by adding in such an unusual head piece. Was it done in a playful manner or were they aiming for a different type of horror altogether? The mystery only continues to deepen.

The remastered version of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water swaps out a few of the more risqué outfits that were available only in the Japanese Wii U version of the game, such as the “Gravure Swimsuit.” It’s possible that a more balanced approach with these costumes is being taken following the toning down of the level of skimpy clothing.

Perhaps this can also be seen as a specific aesthetic of beauty. Lynn Hershman’s well known series of photographic works known as “Phantom Limb Photographs” features women whose heads have been replaced by cameras. The women’s elegant limbs are emphasized even more due to the presence of the inorganic head and there are those in the world who indeed see the beauty in it.

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is slated for a release on PS4/PS5/Xbox One/ Xbox Series X|S/ Nintendo Switch as well as PC (via Steam) on October 28. In order to get the “Witch’s Hat” and the “Camera Obscura Hat,” the game must be pre-purchased before midnight of the release date (there is however the possibility that they will be available at a later date as paid content).