After over a decade, terrifying survival horror title Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is making its way to the West – and for almost every console, too! The game will be debuting sometime in 2023 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. The Nintendo Switch version of the game was revealed during the Nintendo Direct livestream event on September 13, 2022.
Originally released for the Nintendo Wii in 2008, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is the fourth installment in the Fatal Frame series – known in Europe as the Project Zero series. Like previous Fatal Frame titles, it tells the story of a protagonist exploring a location haunted by many ghosts and spirits, which they are only able to temporarily defeat by using a device called the Camera Obscure to take their pictures. Mask of the Lunar Eclipse stars Ruka Minazuki, who has lost her memories following a traumatic incident in her childhood. She decides to attempt to restore her memories by exploring the abandoned Rogetsu Hospital, despite many warnings that the building is haunted. There, Ruka discovers the terrifying truth regarding a mysterious disease, a cursed mask, and an ancient ritual.
FATAL FRAME: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse will be available digitally for Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC via Steam® in Early 2023.#FatalFrameMOTLE #FatalFrame #KTfamily pic.twitter.com/BqacyAsqoO
— KOEI TECMO AMERICA (@KoeiTecmoUS) September 13, 2022
Although previous Fatal Frame / Project Zero titles had been released in the West, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse remained Japan-exclusive for years due to its mixed reviews, lowre sales figures, and the presence of a number of bugs. However, interest in the series was recently rejuvenated following the remaster of the fifth title in the series, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, for eighth and ninth generation consoles in 2021.
An official release date for Mask of the Lunar Eclipse has not yet been revealed, but it is expected to debut sometime in 2023. The re-release will include updated graphics and new unlockable costumes for playable character Ruka. The Switch release of the game is currently slated to be digital-only, and it will be available for purchase via the Nintendo eShop.
