Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake

Survival horror fans are having the time of their lives at the moment, with remakes and new entries coming from franchises including Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and now Fatal Frame. Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo have paired for Fatal Frame 2 Crimson Butterfly Remake, though sadly this one doesn’t reach the heights of other remakes in the genre.

Beyond that, I can't list all of the many subtler changes that fans of the original will appreciate. I love how loose items are now perfectly detailed, so no more grabbing a nondescript sphere to discover that it’s actually a folklorist’s journal or pack of film. Grab scares are much less frequent, so the few times they proc are more effective. Don't worry about the game’s 60 FPS ceiling on PC, as it felt perfectly smooth in motion on a decent rig with max visual settings, and enemy reactions to camera clicks look wonderfully grotesque. The new photo mode works well, complete with unlockable g...

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is an excellent survival horror that does something different with its combat, improving on the original in every way.

The survival-horror genre has been in a great spot in the past few years. With Resident Evil returning to its former glory with the seventh entry in the series and every game that has followed it, culminating with Resident Evil Requiem, the Silent Hill series returning with a remake of the second entry in the series and the first brand new game in years, and a wealth of solid indie titles, fans of the genre have had plenty of scary experiences to immerse themselves into.

The Fatal Frame (also known as Project Zero or simply Zero) franchise has always been a cult classic horror series. One that manages to terrify and deliver excellent stories, yet it’s one that has stayed relatively under the radar, not really achieving the same level of appeal that games like Silent Hill or Resident Evil managed in the same time frame. It’s a shame as well, since Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is held in high regard, often touted as not only the best in the seri...

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake made some bold changes, but despite the some dramatic overhauls, it remains faithful to the original. The game continues the trend of good horror genre remakes and has the quality to satisfy vigilant old fans and invite newcomers to the franchise.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake doesn’t just enhance a beloved PS2 survival horror classic – it rises above it to deliver thrilling ghostly encounters that will keep you glued to your camera lens.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a perfect example of what bringing a classic to the modern era can be. Updating gameplay and visuals to look and feel better while leaving the original unnerving story intact.

Koei Tecmo’s return to Minakami Village is a visual triumph that falters under the weight of its own legacy. While the Katana Engine creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere, the remake is hampered by sluggish movement, frustratingly tight combat encounters, and poor optimization, leaving the iconic sisters trapped in a technically uneven nightmare.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is absolutely terrifying.

Fatal Frame II’s reputation has always been intriguing. Hyperbolic phrases like “the scariest game ever made” have often been associated with the 2003 PlayStation 2 game, and I can frankly understand why after playing the remake. Fatal Frame II is frightening with its near-constant jump scares, oppressive atmosphere, difficult enemies, and arguably too much darkness. But more so than fear, the emotion I frequently grappled with was frustration.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake. While it may not necessarily be as scary as the original released in 2003, it does have its moments of greatness when it comes to scares, and there will be times that even the biggest survival horror fans have to take a breather. The stars of the show here are the atmosphere and story, both of which are so incredibly well-made, do the original justice, and validate the need for this remake to see the light of day. However, the combat is a major let down and definitely won't be for everyone. The controls feel outda...