Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir
Format: Nintendo 3DS
Completion: Finished
Score: 60/100 [D-]
Personal Judgement: It's better as a toy than as a game, but the story mode satisfies if you don't give up on it during the boring chapters.
Critical Appraisal: It feels like they didn't finish.
Highlights: An ARG on the platform with good graphics and a variety of features, but requires bright light which seems counter intuitive to the horror aspect.
Completion: Finished
Score: 60/100 [D-]
Personal Judgement: It's better as a toy than as a game, but the story mode satisfies if you don't give up on it during the boring chapters.
Critical Appraisal: It feels like they didn't finish.
Highlights: An ARG on the platform with good graphics and a variety of features, but requires bright light which seems counter intuitive to the horror aspect.
Hook [7/20]
Story: The story is very bland. The climax of the game is satisfying, which creates the illusion of a story that's finally engaging, but really it's just that the final boss fight is awesome. Nothing much to enjoy here. [3/10]
Replay: Basically, I pull this game out at Halloween just to play with the toys. I usually put it away within minutes though. [4/10]
Replay: Basically, I pull this game out at Halloween just to play with the toys. I usually put it away within minutes though. [4/10]
Substance [11/20]
Features: The game has a wide variety of features. It has two story modes, challenges, mini games, and toys. The toys are probably where I got the most use out of this game. I'd just take pictures of my friends' rooms and show them the ghosts inhabiting their space. It's fun. You have "Spirit Photography" which places ghosts in pictures that you take, "Spirit Check" which tells you what spirits are attached to the people you photograph and how to exorcise them, and "Spirit Challenge" which is basically just fighting a random spirit in your environment. The game also has some unlockable content for the completionists out there. Maya even has two costumes. The only problem is that the story mode lacks some basic gameplay features. [8/10]
Usability: Here is where the game really really blows it. Even in the brightest rooms of my house I have trouble getting enough light to play this game. Then all the lights to make the game work cause glare on the screen, so you have to turn the system brightness to maximum which drains your battery fast. The game gives you freedom to look around, then steals that freedom when it feels you've found the right thing. I can use the game pad to move characters once "Photo Ops" are unlocked, but my character is on rails when I'm in a z shaped hallway that I need to walk down? Sloppy. The only saving grace is that fighting ghosts is really fun. [3/10]
Usability: Here is where the game really really blows it. Even in the brightest rooms of my house I have trouble getting enough light to play this game. Then all the lights to make the game work cause glare on the screen, so you have to turn the system brightness to maximum which drains your battery fast. The game gives you freedom to look around, then steals that freedom when it feels you've found the right thing. I can use the game pad to move characters once "Photo Ops" are unlocked, but my character is on rails when I'm in a z shaped hallway that I need to walk down? Sloppy. The only saving grace is that fighting ghosts is really fun. [3/10]
Visual [17/20]
Graphics: The graphics look great. I really like how detailed Maya looks. I'd say these graphics would look impressive even on a PS2, so on a portable system I'm very impressed. One of the best looking games on the system. [9/10]
Animation: Things move a little unnatural, but given the nature of the game it kinda works in their favor. Not sure if it's intentional or not, but ghosts probably should move in a way that seems a little off. [8/10]
Animation: Things move a little unnatural, but given the nature of the game it kinda works in their favor. Not sure if it's intentional or not, but ghosts probably should move in a way that seems a little off. [8/10]
Audio [17/20]
Music: The music in this game is very creepy and atmospheric. It's standard for a Fatal Frame game, and is honestly the saving grace of having to play a spooky game in a bright room. [9/10]
Sound Effects: The sound effects are minimal, but very good. The camera sounds are awesome, the voice work is nice though the game is inconsistent regarding when to use it, and even small things like dripping blood sound great. [8/10]
Sound Effects: The sound effects are minimal, but very good. The camera sounds are awesome, the voice work is nice though the game is inconsistent regarding when to use it, and even small things like dripping blood sound great. [8/10]
Fourth Wall [8/20]
Polish: The game feels unfinished. It shares a lot of the same problems as other ARGs, which I won't blame it for. The technology is not there. But there were basic game opportunities that could have been easily implemented and drastically improved play. Maybe they should have delayed the release to October of that year. [4/10]
Value: When this game first came out it was $39.99, but now you can get it brand new for about $19.99 depending on where you go. I wouldn't recommend getting a used copy because you need the included book and you need it to be in good condition. Given those circumstances I'd say the price is not unreasonable. Personally, I'd rather have it at the current price than miss out on it. Unfortunately, I bought it at the original retail price which it probably was not worth. [4/10]
Value: When this game first came out it was $39.99, but now you can get it brand new for about $19.99 depending on where you go. I wouldn't recommend getting a used copy because you need the included book and you need it to be in good condition. Given those circumstances I'd say the price is not unreasonable. Personally, I'd rather have it at the current price than miss out on it. Unfortunately, I bought it at the original retail price which it probably was not worth. [4/10]
Extra
The game made a big deal out of taking a picture of my face and putting it in the book. Therefore, I expected them to use my face and made a point of designing a "face use" counter for the journal. They only used my face once. Now my graphic is wasted.