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Gamers wishing to try out the title will be able to download Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water's prologue, as well as the entirety of chapter one and "most of" chapter two. Although that may be disappointing for hardcore fans of the series, one more detail about the title may help to win new players over Fatal Frame: Maiden of Dark Water is going to be "free-to-start."
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As well as a release date of October 22, 2015, Nintendo has also confirmed that the survival horror game will only be available via the Wii U eShop, with no physical release expected. Now, more details are beginning to surface regarding the launch of the latest title from the Fatal Frame series. Fans of the series have often missed out on North American releases, with no US release of a game from the franchise since 2005's Fatal Frame 3: The Tormented, but it turns out that Nintendo has been true to its word regarding a North American release. Amidst the likes of Super Mario Maker and Xenoblade Chronicles X lay the return of a cult horror classic in the form of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water. There was one game, however, that players may have overlooked on Nintendo's lengthy list of release dates. With the release of official launch dates for a number of highly-anticipated titles, including Star Fox Zero and Devil's Third, Nintendo will no doubt be hoping that the Wii U can continue its run of form. Strong sales in 2014 helped Nintendo to turn a profit, with an emphasis put on a stronger line-up of games and the success of Nintendo's amiibo peripheral range. The story can also feel frustrating at times, with awkward pacing and unanswered questions.Although the struggles of the Wii U have been well-documented, with the system only just reaching 10 million sales overall since its launch in 2012, the console has had a resurgence over the last year. However, by the later part of the game, dealing with ghosts can start to seem repetitive.
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The camera system is complex but rewarding. Like other games in the Fatal Frame series, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water presents eerie environments, memorable images, and great jumpscare moments. However, there's no need to play the earlier games in the series in order to understand the plot of this installment. For instance, one of the protagonists is the daughter of a character from an earlier game. This game does include some connections to previous Fatal Frame games. Immersion in water boosts a character's connection to the spirit world, making them more able to affect ghosts but also more vulnerable. The rainy, damp environment of Mount Hikami actually plays a part in the game's mechanics. This remastered version of the original console release of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water succeeds at creating an eerie, tragic atmosphere.
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