The player controls the character of either Rei, Miku or Kei, and uses the Camera Obscura to photograph and fight off ghosts. The player explores in third person in either the dream world, the Manor of Sleep, or the real world. On the main screen there is a sensor bar, called the filament, that indicates if a ghost is present. When the filament glows red the controller vibrates, signaling that there is a hostile ghost nearby. If the filament turns blue, there is a neutral or friendly ghost present, one that will not attack but can be captured with the camera. At any point in the game, the player can enter the first person camera mode, called "Finder Mode" or the viewfinder, in which ghosts can be defeated. The camera has a limited amount of film. Experience points are gained through defeating ghosts or by taking pictures of friendly ghosts, and can be used to upgrade the camera. Different upgrades can be purchased, and it is up to the player how the points are distributed.
Fatal Frame III is split into day and night sequences. During the day, Rei moves about her home, speaking with the other characters and developing photographs. At night, while sleeping, Rei enters the "Manor of Sleep" in her dreams. Upon completing each chapter, referred to as an "hour" in-game, Rei wakes up back in the real world. However, as the game plot proceeds, the lines between the two worlds begin to blur for Rei. As a result, she starts to have visions of ghosts even when awake and the mysterious tattoo grows to cover an ever-increasing percentage of her body.
In some chapters, the player has the opportunity to play as 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 by upgrading. Miku has a special "Sacred Stone" charm that decreases the speed of spirits when used, and a "Double" ability, which allows her to charge the camera up twice. Kei, with his greater physical strength, can perform actions such as moving a bookcase or jumping from the roof of one building to another. However, as Kei's camera capability is significantly weaker than that of either Rei or Miku, he must also use the "Hide" ability to avoid detection by spirits.
Fatal Frame III is split into day and night sequences. During the day, Rei moves about her home, speaking with the other characters and developing photographs. At night, while sleeping, Rei enters the "Manor of Sleep" in her dreams. Upon completing each chapter, referred to as an "hour" in-game, Rei wakes up back in the real world. However, as the game plot proceeds, the lines between the two worlds begin to blur for Rei. As a result, she starts to have visions of ghosts even when awake and the mysterious tattoo grows to cover an ever-increasing percentage of her body.
In some chapters, the player has the opportunity to play as 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 by upgrading. Miku has a special "Sacred Stone" charm that decreases the speed of spirits when used, and a "Double" ability, which allows her to charge the camera up twice. Kei, with his greater physical strength, can perform actions such as moving a bookcase or jumping from the roof of one building to another. However, as Kei's camera capability is significantly weaker than that of either Rei or Miku, he must also use the "Hide" ability to avoid detection by spirits.
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