Topic: User Impressions/Reviews Thread

@RR529 Nice! I really need to get back to this. While I like the more claustrophobic setting aesthetically, my issue with it is that it makes certain setpieces pretty frustrating, since ghosts will materialize in the walls and grab you from the side, which is incredibly difficult to avoid. This is the first time I've felt genuine frustration over the combat in this series. One encounter early on literally took five or six retries, because it was an in a narrow hallway, and I was surrounded by spooks.

Going back to an old game like this, it's also difficult to remember that it doesn't have free camera controls. I eventually learned to leave the right analog stick alone, but I think this series worked best in that regard when it still had fixed camera viewpoints.

But yeah, the atmosphere remains effective throughout, which is, more than anything, what I appreciate about this series.

"I somehow managed to go the entire game without screenshotting the dude, lol."

I could pretend to be shocked, but I think both of us probably fully expected that you wouldn't, right?

Very nice screenshots, btw.

@Ralizah, I think I know of the exact encounter you're talking about (three ghosts that appear the first time you try to enter one of the patient rooms?). I died like 5 times there myself. Luckily, most of the other times you have to fight 3 or more ghosts with the camera it usually happens in more open areas, but it's still highly annoying (usually causing me to drain my healing item reserves).

The flashlight is seriously the more effective weapon here, especially once you upgrade it a bit (by late game I was practically walking straight up to ghosts nearly one shotting them up close with it).

To be fair, I was almost certain I had taken a screenshot of him standing next to a painting. I must have accidentally deleted it when I was purging all the trophy videos (not sure if you have a PS5 yet, but it both takes an auto screenshot AND video every time you earn a trophy). I'm sure I could probably just turn it off, but I haven't fiddled around the settings yet.

@RogerRoger That was wild. I'd literally just finished reading your new review, refreshed the page, and it was gone.

Doing some editing?

@RR529 That was the most egregious instance, yes. I guess that particular battle must be difficult for a lot of people! But the truth is I've weirdly struggled with combat throughout the game. No idea why tracking the ghosts is so much harder for me this go around!

@LN78 you've blocked Rog haven't you? Why are trying to engage with him and tagging him with that post of yours when you clearly want nothing to do with him? 🙄

It had some rad screenshots too! Hope it comes back.

@Pizzamorg Me too. Rog writes some of the best reviews on the site. And I really appreciate that they often don't conform to the majority wisdom, yet are always well-reasoned.

Didn't get the chance to fully ready it myself (I skimmed it over not long after it was first published) but it was cracking stuff from Rog as usual.

No pressure to put it back up of course @RogerRoger if you don't want to!

Nice Fatal Frame 4 review there @RR529!

The only game I've played in the series myself is the second, Crimson Butterfly.

Honestly it scared the pants off of me and I'm not quite sure if I'd really wanna go back into the franchise (Though I understand 4 & 5 are much tamer).

Both this and MoBW do seem to have been spruced up fairly well. Not to mention the sheer fact that this finally got brought over to the west is an achievement of itself and it sounds like it does a pretty good job, especially on the audio front!

I somehow managed to go the entire game without screenshotting the dude, lol.

... I know Ral already brought it up but I found this line rather amusing myself too. But not just for the obvious reason.

If I recall correctly Crimson Butterfly's main cast was all girls with only one male npc (That wasn't a ghost at least) so I probably would've done the same in that situation and forget to take a picture of them 😅

I'm sorry you feel that way! If I can share opinions here, I would hope everyone feels comfortable 😂

I also realised my comment seemed like real faint praise, the writing was great as well by the way, I hope my reply didn't come across otherwise as I only mentioned the screenshots 😬

@RogerRoger That's... an incredibly sad thing to hear. But I'll respect your decision.

@RogerRoger but seriously, let’s see that review please!

@RogerRoger
I, along with the majority of folks on here - I think, always enjoyed reading your reviews which I found to be well written, informative and often amusing. I feel it a shame you no longer feel comfortable posting them but respect your decision to do what is best for you.
Just know you have way more supporters than detractors.

What the hell happened in here?!?! All I’d say, as someone who can be very opinionated… is I love to hear about opinions that seem in total opposition to my own. The whole point of a forum is for people with a common interest to discuss their various and different opinions. Sad that @RogerRoger feels unable to do that right now but I hope that they just feel like this temporarily, as while I might not always feel the same way about the games that we’ve both played… I always appreciate the perspective.

Another vote for the review to be undeleted @RogerRoger, but totally understand if you do not want to.

Although I do not frequent this thread that often, it always amazes me quality of the writing for the reviews I do read. Hats off to all that contribute!

@RogerRoger Another virtual nudge in support of your excellent reviews. Over the years your reviews and other side discussions and recommendations have exposed me to several games that I’ve enjoyed and otherwise may have missed. And if nothing else, I’ve been entertained and enlightened to read about your journeys — like your self-conflicting sojourn through the Shenmue series, or your struggle to complete FF7, or the surprising self-discovery of becoming a Dragon Age fan, or seeing the beauty of Abzu through your eyes and ears, or discussing the socio-political underpinnings of Life is Strange 2, or seeing your 180 degree shifting thoughts while playing through Horizon Forbidden West… and so on and so on. I’m appreciative to have been a passenger along for the ride.

I know the feeling of wanting to withhold thoughts and opinions and lately I’ve been guilty of the same. But if you’re concerned about how your impressions would be received, you need not. They are absolutely top-shelf, whether I end up agreeing fully (which I usually do, ignoring Sonic Mania 😅) or not.

Yet, of course I’d support you in whatever direction you go with it. Sharing pieces of oneself is a risky business. But there’s no doubt that over the years every one my RogerRoger interactions has left me edified.