Fatal Frame III: The Tormented - Gameplay

Gameplay

In Fatal Frame III, the player uses the vintage "Camera Obscura" to photograph and dispel ghosts. The player explores in third-person in either the Manor of Sleep or the real world. On the main screen is a "Ghost Filament", which indicates a ghost's presence; red signals a hostile ghost, while blue indicates a neutral ghost. At any point in the game, the player can enter the first-person view, called "Finder Mode" or the viewfinder, in which ghosts can be dispelled. The camera has a limited amount of film. Experience points are gained through defeating ghosts or by taking pictures of neutral ghosts or seals, and can be used to upgrade different aspects of the camera, such as range and sensitivity.

Fatal Frame III is split into chapters called "Hours", which are further split into "day-and-night" sequences. While awake, Rei moves about her home, speaking with other characters and developing photographs. At night, while sleeping, Rei enters the Manor of Sleep in her dreams. Some Hours put the play in control of either Miku or Kei. Each character has different special abilities, making each of their playing styles unique. Rei is capable of using the camera's flash to scare off some spirits, but can only use it a limited number of times, the maximum amount of which can be increased through upgrades. Miku has a special "Sacred Stone" charm that decreases the speed of spirits when used, and a "Double" ability that allows her to charge the camera up twice. Kei, with his greater physical strength, can perform actions such as moving bookshelves or jumping from one roof of the Manor to another. However, as Kei's camera ability is much weaker than that of either Rei or Miku, he must also use the "Hide" ability to avoid detection by spirits.