Our biggest complaint yesterday was something we discovered almost immediately after taking control of the first playable character. Fatal Frame doesn't make use of pointer controls for your flashlight and viewpoint, opting instead for motion-based controls. This control scheme was selected consciously following various tests, the game's producer said in a recent interview, as he believes it more accurately represents the feel of actually holding a flashlight.

We're hopeful that this is an area of the game that we'll get used to as we continue playing. And we definitely plan on keeping with the game, as despite the controls, the first few hours have provided some of the creepiest gaming moments we've experienced since Siren.

The finest moments so far have come as we explored the initial mansion and ghosts appeared out of nowhere, often guiding us where to go next. The game seamlessly blends cinematics with gameplay. Sometimes, the action will cut away briefly to show a ghost in the distance. More often, though, you'll stay in full control even when things are happening around you. For those interesting in seeing how games can be cinematic without taking control from the player, Fatal Frame has some clues in its first few hours of play.

One area that helps keep the experience smooth is the complete lack of loading.

Also particularly exciting (again, this has to be prefaced with a warning that the poor viewpoint controls frustrate things here) are the ghost fights, where you attempt to seal away ghosts by taking pictures of them. What makes these invigorating is how the ghosts move about. They'll disappear into walls, and emerge sometimes right beside you. On the whole, ghosts move slowly, but get close enough, and they'll lunge at you, often disappearing under your view.

In addition to killing off the ghosts, which you can do with a few well timed shots, advanced players can attempt to get as many point as possible from each kill. The best point source is the also the name of the game: the Fatal Frame. You get a Fatal Frame when taking a picture by waiting until just before the enemy attacks before snapping away. Those who do get some quality Fatal Frames can save the shots for future viewing.

You do have a few options to make ghost battles easier. Your camera tool can be upgraded in various ways. Blue gems that you find as you explore can be used to power up the parameters of the device, making its attack and recovery speed faster. You'll also find special film for your camera. These add extra strength to every shot, although unlike your standard film, they can be used in only limited quantities.