Tecmo Interview: Keisuke Kikuchi

Our chat with one of Tecmo's most striking game creators about his latest projects, Trapt and Fatal Frame III.

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Kikizo: The previous games have been set in older, traditional Japanese-style settings, whereas now we can see that the girl lives in a more modern environment and that the place where she is encountering all these horrors is a dream world. What made you make the switch?

Kikuchi: So this time we have adapted, because of this peaceful world of reality, and the world of nightmares. I have prepared such two different worlds as a contrast; in the world of reality it seems peaceful but, as a contrast, the world of nightmare looks more horrific and fearful. But as the story proceeds, the nightmares start blurring into reality, little by little.

Kikizo: Fatal Frame II: Director's Cut was quite well received by gamers - but were there any areas you wanted to improve for this third game?

Kikuchi: The basic system is almost the same. However, I tried to prepare a totally new story and the special effects, to establish the atmosphere in this game.

Kikizo: Were there any Japanese horror films, maybe like 'The Ring', that were inspiring for the development of the series?

Kikuchi: When I created the game, I collected a lot of information. I started by checking old stories. In the course of the research, yes, there were certainly a few movies that had some influence.

Kikizo: The visuals are very pretty for PS2, maybe even to the standard of some next-gen stuff - is it all real-time or are there pre-rendered FMV elements?

Kikuchi: Basically, it's all real-time, although a few parts are adapted - pre-rendered.

Kikizo: What's behind the decision having these cute, young girls as the lead characters in such a scary game?

Kikuchi: In Japan, it is said that the female, or also the young, have stronger spiritual power. That's why I chose young girls. And the cuter the better, right?! [laughs] Also, the reactions of the girls look scary, and that makes you more frightened.

Kikizo: Would you describe the kind of horror that we see in this game as more psychological, as in the Silent Hill series, or is it more immediate horror that makes the game scary?

Kikuchi: We made a deep analysis on the feelings of fear. When you see something bad, you may have this feeling of disgust; maybe the feeling of tension when walking alone in a graveyard; maybe even the feeling you could be cursed. There are these various feelings. When I started creating this game, the basic concept was to create the ultimate horror game.

So, what is the scariest thing? It's a psychological thing; the imagination creates the scariest things in the players' minds. So it's often psychological, but I tried to combine many things. Frightening with different techniques, and trying to combine these different aspects of horror - this is how we've done it.

Kikizo: What are the main differences between the three playable characters?

Kikuchi: Primarily, the way you attack and the way you move. As well as the main character, Rei Kurosawa, there is Miku Hinasaka from the original Fatal Frame, who is playable. She's a small girl, so she can hide in places where other characters can't. Kei Amakura is also playable, he's a male character who is a journalist, but has better physical powers. So while Miku has stronger spiritual power, with the ability to move furniture and cause damage - she can't move about and jump to places like Kei is able to.

Kikizo: All the Fatal Frame games have had a camera that has been used in various means. Now, since a lot of the action takes place in the nightmare world, what use will the camera be?

Kikuchi: The camera's function is something you are meant to see - so you can still use it in the world of nightmares.

Kikizo: Erm, correct me if I'm wrong, but was there a point in the trailer where we see hands reaching down over her breasts? Was that intentional? Is there a more adult theme that goes with the horror?

Kikuchi: No, there is no sexual theme! [laughs].

Kikizo: OK then! Thanks again for your time, and good luck with both games!

Trapt is out now in Japan and North America. Fatal Frame III hits North American stores tomorrow. European releases for both titles are awaiting official release dates.

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