Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water Limited Edition

Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water Limited Edition
Platform: Wii U
Year: 2015
Region: PAL

Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water is the fifth entry in the Fatal Frame series. In these games players battle against ghosts by taking their pictures using a Camera Obscura. In Project Zero, the Wii U gamepad controls the camera with the screen acting as the viewfinder.

Being built around the Wii U hardware, this is an exclusive to the system, with moderate success in Japan in light of the console’s low sale numbers. While the game was only released digitally in the US, Europe received a physical version in the form of a limited edition in October of 2015. Because this is the only special edition available (in fact, it’s one of the few physical versions outside of Japan, in addition the Australian standard and limited edition) demand has been relatively strong, leading to high prices on reseller sites.

But let’s have a closer look at this edition. It comes in the ever familiar paper box with hang tab that Nintendo of Europe is so fond of. On the cover is an artwork of protagonists Yuri and Miu.

Onto the contents. First of all, the physical version of the game, with the same artwork on the cover.

Aside from the regular case, you also get a separate steelbook.

Next, a double sided poster. On one side is again, the same artwork.

The other side features the Black Haired Shrine Maiden, Kurosawa Ouse.

Also included is a small hard cover art book. The contents are divided into several chapters: foreword (followed by general artwork), characters, ghosts, the camera obscura and the shrine maidens.

Lastly, this edition includes an envelop containing for prints that are made to look like old black and white photographs, including white borders and some wear and tear.

All in all, while the contents aren’t spectacular, this is still a nice collector’s edition, especially considering the fact that a physical release for this game wasn’t a given to begin with. The eerie and atmospheric artwork gives the overall package and its contents a nice and consistent look, and the background information in the art book is interesting as well.