Reviews by Kyle Ellis

Fear Effect

Beginning with the 2000 PS1 title of the same name, Fear Effect is a series of horror action-adventure shooters that utilize cel-shaded character models and FMV backgrounds. Although each of the entries in the franchise follows different plots, they all center around a group of mercenaries that primarily live in a futuristic cyberpunk version of Hong Kong.

Out of the multiple playable characters in the franchise, the main protagonist is Hana Tsu-Vachel, who is forced to take dangerous mercenary jobs in order to one day pay off her contract to the Chinese Triad. Because of her harsh childhood, Hana is tough, ruthless, intelligent, sarcastic, and can fight or talk her way out of most situations. She is also canonically an LGBTQ+ character, and she currently has a girlfriend named Rain Qin.

Fatal Frame III: The Tormented

While Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is often considered the peak of the [Link removed - login to see] franchise, the best protagonist is probably from the 2005 PS2 survival horror sequel Fatal Frame III: The Tormented. After the death of her fiancé in a car crash, the main heroine, a 23-year-old freelance photographer named Rei Kurosawa, is cursed by a spirit, and begins having reoccurring dreams of a strange house called the "Manor of Sleep."

Although the maps and story are not as polished as the previous entry, Rei's struggles with survivor's guilt are extremely powerful and relatable for anyone who has lost a loved one, which makes up for the setbacks. With the help of the protagonist from the first game, Miku Hinasaki, and the uncle of the protagonists from the second game, Kei Amakura, Rei solves the mystery, ends the curse, and gains the strength to keep living.

Clock Tower 3