I had the chance to chat with the producer via email ahead of the game’s release. Yutaka Fukaya Director/Scenario Writer Makoto Shibata Koei Tecmo talks about the challenges the remaster posed for the development team, how the Fatal Frame franchise stands out from other horror IPs, and what paranormal experiences they’ve experienced…
Nintendo Life: How does it feel to see the Fatal Frame franchise continue to thrive more than 20 years after its first installment?
Makoto Shibata (Director/Scenario Writer):I am very happy.
I changed the theme of this series every time, and proceeded with the feeling that I could no longer create with the same theme. We hope that each title will leave a strong impression on players.
The original Wii game was only available in Japan, so how important was it to you for Western audiences to finally experience Mask of the Lunar Eclipse?
Mr. Shibata: This is the first game in the series set in a Western-style building, hospital, or other setting outside of Japan, so I made it with Western players in mind. I’ve been keenly aware of the difficulty of creating a game in which the height of the viewpoint is different between the culture of sitting on the ground and the culture of sitting on a chair, so I’m thrilled to finally hear the voices of the players.
What challenges did you face in bringing Wii titles to the latest platform?
Yutaka Fukaya (Producer): Improving graphics was a major goal and challenge, as the hardware is from many previous generations. It took as much effort as creating a game from scratch, and this was the hardest part.
Visually, the remaster looks like a big step up from the original. What can Switch players expect in terms of performance compared to other platforms?
Mr. Fukaya: Performance wise there is not much difference. The advantage of the Switch is that you can play in handheld mode. No other hardware offers the experience of playing in a dark room buried under the covers of your bed.
For players new to Fatal Frame, is Eclipse Mask a good starting point?
Mr. Fukaya: Fatal Frame Gekku no Kamen is the 4th installment in the series, but the story was completed in the previous 3 installments. So I think Lunar Eclipse Mask is a good starting point.
Will we be revisiting some of the early games in the series in the future? We’re sure fans will be looking forward to seeing the original trilogy return on modern platforms.
Mr. Fukaya: We can’t make any definite promises here, but if we know that many players are looking forward to more from the series from the release of Lunar Eclipse Mask, we may be able to cater to that interest. We hope that you will enjoy picking up this game and add excitement to the Fatal Frame series!
What do you think makes the Fatal Frame series stand out from other big horror franchises?
Mr. Fukaya: I am proud that Fatal Frame is the series that best embodies “Japanese Horror”. The first time I played the Fatal Frame series as a player, it literally sent chills down my spine. This work is characterized by a terrifying experience that is completely different from grotesque creatures and jump scares.
Photography and recording devices have played a major role in terror in several mediums for decades. What do you think about this trope that makes terror so effective?
Mr. Shibata: I think recording devices will appear in many horror novels dealing with spirits. I think many people are interested in being able to capture and record invisible things. Even if you can’t see it clearly, it’s certainly proof that spirits are real.
The Fatal Frame series puts a lot of effort into the presence of ghosts. Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever experienced a paranormal event?
Mr. Shibata: I see spirits occasionally, and some of the spirits and renditions are based on my own personal experience.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
I would like to thank Mr. Shibata and Mr. Fukaya for taking the time to answer my questions. Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse launches on his Switch later this week.
