Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake Reviews
My trip to Minakami Village in FATAL FRAME II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE was terrible, but in this case, that's meant as a huge compliment.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
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.
FATAL FRAME II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE does justice to one of the best survival horror games not only of the sixth generation but in the entire history of the medium. The story of Mio and Mayu Amakura continues to be as chilling now as it was twenty-three years ago, thanks to technical and gameplay tweaks that are both targeted and respectful of the original material. From this perspective, it is a shame that the optimization on PlayStation 5 does not currently offer a perfectly smooth and flawless experience. In this context, and faced with a title that perhaps remains too faithful to itself (including its traditionalism and wooden feel), what remains is an inevitably bittersweet feeling. Fans of the genre will love it, while we advise everyone else to approach Minakami Village with caution: once you enter, getting out will not be easy.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake mostly succeeds as a remake and understands what made the original tick.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake thrives on light and shadow. Although the gameplay has been revamped with welcome additions such as dodging and the enhancement of the Camera Obscura, on the other hand we have a product that could certainly have done more, especially from a technical point of view. Nevertheless, those who loved the 2003 original will find this remake an excellent reason to immerse themselves once again in the village of Minakami. Those approaching it for the first time, on the other hand, may find it difficult to digest the various choices made by the Japanese team.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a game of extremes. On one hand, it delivers an outstanding horror atmosphere supported by a genuinely intriguing story, haunting visuals, and exceptional sound design. Unfortunately, the experience is heavily dragged down by a deeply frustrating combat system that kills much of the game’s potential.
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Review in German | Read full review
FATAL FRAME II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE is a remake that brings a solid foundation and perhaps one of the best horror experiences thanks to its fantastic atmosphere. Unfortunately, its new combat mechanics turn what could be a challenging and fun experience into something tedious and poorly balanced. Furthermore, its performance on the Nintendo Switch 2 is commendable, but some technical issues shouldn't exist, especially pop-in on nearby objects.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
FATAL FRAME II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE is one of the most remarkable survival horror games when it comes to atmosphere, tension, and its own unique identity.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Twins Mio and Mayu venture into Minakami Village in a title that offers an exceptional story. While the gameplay falters during its opening hours, the game is set to reach new generations and ultimately stands as a must-play for hardcore horror fans.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is, if I dare say, the definitive edition of the series’ second entry. Stunning visuals, haunting audio, engaging gameplay mechanics, storyline—it took everything from the original and immensely improved upon it to deliver both a chilling and heart-wrenching experience. Whether you’re completely new to the series or a longtime fan, the Crimson Butterfly Remake is not one to miss.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake feels like a game from a different era, but it’s charming because of it. However, the visuals and haunting atmosphere upgrades the game and help modernize it in impressive ways.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE is a completely new version of the game initially made for Playstation 2 and later on Wii. The story revolves around twins Mio and Mayu who find themselves trapped in a village shrouded in eternal night.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake revives a fan-favorite J-horror classic with a polish that stays true to its roots. Between the overhauled visuals, new mechanics, and expanded zones, it modernizes the gameplay while keeping the haunting atmosphere of Minakami Village intact. Despite some minor technical hiccups, this remake pulls off the impossible: making this classic feel every bit as eerie and special as it did the very first time.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
I have a lot of problems with Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE, but I still enjoyed certain aspects of it since it’s still a Fatal Frame game through and through. However, its reliance on cheap, arbitrary nonsense in regard to combat and its blatant padding and repetition were more irksome than I would have liked.
FATAL FRAME II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE revisits the 2003 original with a more dynamic system in mind. However, the series’ lingering clunky design and the imbalance introduced by its more complex mechanics can make the experience feel overwhelming. While the story and atmosphere capture the essence of a tense, nostalgic horror game, overly frequent and punishing combat encounters ultimately disrupt the game’s tension and pacing.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is better than I expected. Team Ninja has given the game the love and care that it needs, whilst making some bold changes to the core gameplay that make it more exciting than ever before. With tense camera-based combat and a fantastic story that will pull you in from beginning to end. It’s not perfect, and there are a few rough edges, but I urge fans of the franchise and newcomers to check this one out. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake remains a beautifully horrifying experience.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake indicates that there is still a lot of potential in the series’ unique flavour of occult paranormal J-horror. Unfortunately, this experience is marred by tedious combat encounters, inconsistent pacing, and technical issues that keep it from reaching the heights of its modern horror remake contemporaries.
FATAL FRAME II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE is a haunting, modernized tribute to the golden age of survival horror. By blending rich Japanese folklore with its signature photography-based combat, the game forces players to confront their fears head on as they unravel the dark mysteries of the Lost Village. Though its steep learning curve isn't for everyone, the game is an unforgettable experience, and those who survive the village may find themselves drawn back to its beautiful, terrifying world time and time again.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake made some bold changes, but despite 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 longtime fans and attract newcomers to the franchise.