We are experiencing a glorious resurgence of horror games. Major players in the genre, like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, have dusted off the classics in their aging catalog and given them major facelifts fit for contemporary platforms. It’s not terribly surprising to see the most popular names in horror resurrected with all the trappings of modern technology. What’s less surprising is seeing a cult classic—although Fatal Frame 2 was a massive success in Japan, it didn’t generate the same overwhelming demand on a global scale—receive treatment beyond a low-lift remaster. And yet here we are, recipients of Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake. While the modernization of this lauded horror title effectively frees it from the grip of 2003 (and the Wii), aiming to provide a definitive form, it isn’t fully elevated to the exceptional heights for which it aims.
Remakes are a balancing act. You change too much, and the spirit of the original risks being lost. You change too little, and the justification of its existence falls into question. Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake attempts to walk this tightrope. It brings back the horror classic with a notable visual overhaul and some new mechanics. The former is responsible for making the setting of Minakami Village look better than ever. The oppressive atmosphere surrounding the village is among to best parts of the remake, even if the outdoor spaces succumb to the overly gritty grain effect covering the screen. This impenetrable darkness dominates most of the map. The lifeless dwellings and surrounding forest are steeped in encroaching shadows, ineffectively combated by the meager ethereal glow of scattered lanterns and a flickering flashlight. It makes every minute of Mio and Mayu’s traumatizing, emotional journey throughout it all an anxiety-inducing endeavor. The team truly built a haunting world that is a nightmare to navigate, in a good way.
Although the graphical upgrade makes Minakami Village and character models look better than ever, the added visual fidelity comes at a steep cost. I played the game on a PlayStation 5 Pro, and the performance is disappointing. The game limits the framerate to 30 frames per second. That is a tough pill to swallow for a modern release, but it’s made all the worse by the fact that the game fails to even maintain that low target. Frame drops and stutters happened throughout much of the exploration and combat encounters. A horror game relies on pulling you into its depressive world, and sudden steep drops in performance rip you right out.
Twin Terror
If the words “traumatizing” and “emotional” didn’t convey the point already, the story of twin sisters Mio and Mayu still packs a heavy punch. The story sees these siblings visit a stream from their childhood. Mayu observes a mysterious crimson butterfly and wanders off into the woods. Like a good, caring sister, Mio follows her. The duo then stumble into the aforementioned Minakami Village. The abandoned, cursed settlement houses many ghastly wraiths, and the ill-equipped pair are immediately trapped in a hellish scenario from which escape seems slim. It’s difficult to go into further detail without spoiling the narrative developments that earned the original its spot on countless prestigious lists for the genre. The village’s harrowing history, the importance of the twins, the nature of the Crimson Sacrifice Ritual, and much more are explored and expanded upon in the remake. It’s a captivating ride, often making it equally challenging to avert your eyes from the unfolding events as well as keep your eyes fixed on the emerging spectral terrors.
The game is spent playing as Mio, wandering through ruined homes and dark shrines. Mio is constantly looking for her sister, with intermittent reunion moments. The segments where the two are reunited mark an area in which praise and criticism go hand-in-hand. A new, albeit somewhat janky, hand-holding mechanic reinforces the bond between the sisters that anchors the plot. It’s a small touch, but an effective mechanic that enhances the relationship on display. It makes the player feel as if they are genuinely looking out for their sibling, guiding them through the frightening situation. However, it also highlights some of the worst aspects of NPC escort mission design. Mayu is not a Ghostbuster™. She often finds herself grappled by aggressive, wandering wraiths. And Mio will have to swing in like a cinematographer turned action hero to save her sister from the apparitional grasp.
Killer Photoshoot
Oh, right. Perhaps I should explain that Mio is in possession of the Camera Obscura, a ghost-fighting camera. This is her weapon of choice in exorcizing the wraiths casually strolling throughout the village. It instantly sets the tone for the type of horror game on offer. These monstrosities can’t be quelled with fancy firearms, lead pipes or glorified vacuums. Only by leveraging wraith’s immense camera shyness can they be banished from the mortal plane. Well, sort of. It has more to do with the supernatural nature of the imaging equipment than it does the spirits’ desire to have their visage withheld from film. There’s a brilliance in this design, as it forces the player to look directly at the monsters and actively focus on their horrific details as they lunge at the ever vulnerable Mio.
In the beginning, Mio only has access to a single lens and a low damage, infinite-use film type (Type-07). These early encounters are a bit of a drag, often seeing encounters drawn out as the player chips away damage, all while managing their willpower and health levels. Taking advantage of the titular “Fatal Frame” attack is one way to improve the damage output. The opportunity is denoted by a flashing red light, letting the player know the staggering maneuver is ready for use. The amount of damage done is affected by other aspects, like the target being in focus—focus and zoom can be manually adjusted with new upgrades available for the Camera Obscura to make this piece of combat more consistent. Soon, the available functions of the camera are expanded through special lenses and limited film types. Options like Type-61 and Type-90 aren’t completely dissimilar to different gun types, sporting distinct damage models, engagement styles, and reload times. The lenses further augment combat. For example, the Perceptual Filter has added range and comes packed with a special blinding attack.
Deafening Silence
The lenses also have uses outside of combat. The Perceptual Filter can see spirit traces, enabling Mio to view past spiritual dealings in the area as she explores. Exploration makes up a massive chunk of your time, and thankfully it’s improved by an all-new over-the-shoulder camera angle. You walk through the village and pick up old diaries and notes. These documents explain the tragic history of the village and the people who once resided there. You explore the massive Kurosawa House and the Kiryu House. You check every cabinet for Herbal Medicine to heal your wounds. You seek out new collectibles called Prayer Beads, which upgrade the camera. And you solve bizarre, but simple, puzzles to change up the pace of the usual flow of exploration.
The sound design accenting each fear-filled second is often impactful. Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is uncomfortably quiet, barring faint distant whispers and creaking wood. It’s a potent reminder that Mio isn’t alone. Ghosts frequently appear and fade from sight. You might see a disturbing figure standing completely still at the end of a corridor, only to watch them vanish as the camera is raised. Slowly reaching for an item or simply opening a door may result in being ambushed by a phantom, breaking the silence in a swift unsettling manner. These jump scares and quiet moments live in harmony. It shows that the remake handles its horror with a subtle uneasiness.
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake Review Verdict
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake: offers a compelling package despite mixed results in the remake's pursuits. The modernization of controls, camera and combat make the experience more approachable by modern standards. However, the overly grainy visual filter, performance woes, and dated designs work in opposition of its better half. The narrative and atmosphere still make it easy to recommend, but it comes with caveats. – Joshua
[Editor’s Note: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake was reviewed on PS5, and a copy was provided to us for review purposes.]
