In addition to excellent audio and dramatic use of camera angles, possibly the most frightening touch of the game is the odd sudden cut to a glimpse of a nearby ghost, accompanied by equally jarring sound effects.

Also of note is the use of mirrors to give the player an occasional self-induced fright. Such unpredictable acts make each room, hall and stairwell a dreadful place, and although not a comparatively long game, getting through the four nights in the mansion at times seems too much.

The developer's claim of attaining six-channel surround sound through a stereo setup is not apparently realised. But aside from the amusingly poor voice acting of Miku's brother the game features rich original sound effects and poignantly inspired visual touches.

Save points are always accessible during the game, and backtracking is minimal thanks to the layout of the mansion. The appearance of new ghosts in previously visited parts also retains the tension even while retracing your steps, which is even more significant when out of film or medicine.

Graphically, Project Zero's general blandness suits the dark, decrepid mansion perfectly and makes the adventure all the more disturbing and disheartening. It is especially suited to your characters' initial dependence on torchlight. Stylish ghosts and cut scenes add to the moody experience while colour is used sparingly and again gives added effect to visions and discoveries. Occasional use of film grain and print damage effects, while not always logical, does treat the senses and assists to make the story believable.

Clearly unashamed of its numerous inspirations, Project Zero deserves credit for at least accomplishing what it means to do better than any other game in the genre. It is the scariest game around, and players' association of the experience with others only serves to add to the feeling that this is a game worth surviving.