Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake Reviews
Although some of the new Camera Obscura features exacerbate an already unwieldy control system, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake does more than enough to please fans of this outstanding and highly distinctive series. Play it with the lights off.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake isn't quite right. Developed by Team Ninja, the new game is really a remake of Project Zero 2: Wii Edition...
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a modern rendition of a certified classic survival horror game, and while I believe it should be praised for building a solid atmosphere with superb sound design, the game itself, as it is on console, is a tough task to recommend. In many ways, this remake is a distant departure from what made the original game so breathtakingly horrifying, sacrificing all the subtlety that made you feel at unease and replacing it with cheap tricks. But ultimately, it undermines the oppressiveness of its story with a repetitive gameplay loop filled with constant backtracking and a lack of challenge in either combat or puzzle solving.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake does a lot of things right in its effort to modernize a classic for a new generation of gamers. Its story is a highlight, while the revamped visuals and sound design really help sell the experience. It's a pity, then, that the revamped combat system feels so wildly imbalanced that it makes a crucial chunk of the game feel tedious rather than engaging. We'd recommend waiting for a few patches before taking this one on.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake redevelops a classic horror title with some extra gloss. The ghosts are scarier, aided by new appearances and sound design. On the flip side, in chasing realism, the camera gameplay buckles under the weight of too many mechanics. As a game, Fatal Frame II is fine. As a piece of horror, it’s practically picture-perfect.
Gaming has moved on since 2003, but Fatal Frame 2 Crimson Butterfly Remake seems to want to look and play true to its original. I can’t recommend this to most as a result, but you don’t have to take my word for it. Grab the demo here on Steam, here on Xbox, here on PlayStation, or here on Switch 2 and have a look for yourself. Save data carries over if you decide you want to continue with this $75 AUD game.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a perfect example of what bringing a classic to the modern era can be.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a strong reimagining of a horror classic, smartly expanding on both combat and exploration from the original in clever ways. Despite such a strong and positive change in the fundamentals of the game, the locked and stuttering 30fps mode on consoles is a baffling choice for an otherwise stellar remake. Even so, this is Fatal Frame at its best and well worth any self-respecting horror fan's time.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake ended up being a largely pleasant experience which was interrupted several times by general frustration. I'd still recommend it to any fan of the horror game genre, but I'd honestly recommend Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse much more warmly.
If you've never played a Fatal Frame game before, this remake is the perfect place to start.
An uneven remake that's equal parts frightening and frustrating.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake successfully captures the soul and voice of a classic while improving on the presentation and scope, but shoddy combat often brings those commendable efforts down.
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Review in Italian | Read full review
Once you've played Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake, it becomes clear why the original is still regarded as the series' finest entry. After receiving modern updates, this already classic story reaches new heights in atmosphere and immersion, while the multiple playthrough and multiple ending structure, combined with the chapter select feature, allows players to gain a deeper understanding of the narrative with as little repetition as possible.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
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Technical hiccups and the baffling 30 fps cap aside, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE is the ultimate Fatal Frame game. The gameplay has been refined, made deeper, and there’s new content to discover on top of looking unbelievably sharp… for the most part. If the minor setbacks can be addressed, then you’re looking at what could be the greatest remake of all time.
Fatal Frame II Remake still holds a very special place among horror games because it doesn't make you feel powerful; it makes you feel uneasy, and it does that very well.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a strong return for a beloved horror classic. While its controls and learning curve can be challenging at first, the game delivers an outstanding atmosphere, tense combat, and a compelling story. It's a must-play for horror fans looking for a truly immersive experience.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
If you like horror, specifically a quieter, more atmospheric horror, or prefer ghosts to other monsters, Crimson Butterfly Remake is absolutely your huckleberry.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is an interesting example of how modernizing a game can be both a plus and minus. It looks fantastic, it's deeper and more complex, and it offers a lot more to do. At the same time, not all of its changes hit the mark, and some areas that were improved actually detract from the whole. It's still a darn fun game, but it feels like a "sidegrade," rather than an upgrade to the original.