Most survival horror titles pit you against monsters or zombies with seldom resources and bullets. They might be challenging, but at least you have a gun or two. Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake gives you a camera and says, “off you go and good luck.” That sense of helplessness never leaves. Sure, you start to learn how to use it better, maybe even call yourself rather proficient. However, there’s also something sinister waiting for you, ready to scare the life out of you when you’re at your most fragile.
This remake of a game over twenty years old has that nostalgic twang to it. It also feels just as good as any horror title released today. Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake manages to avoid what so many horrors repeat and that’s jump scares for the sake of it. Rather, it lets the horror build naturally, and when something does appear, it’s not one relentless shock after another. It doesn’t help that ghosts are probably the one horror focal point that has always managed to scare me more than anything else. These wraiths mean business, and they are terrifying.
You play as Mio. Along with her twin sister Mayu, you are drawn to a haunted village where myriad of evil spirits reside. The story immerses you into every facet of its tale through some strong cutscenes but also the various texts found throughout. You learn about the people who existed in the flesh before becoming ghosts. There are also opportunities to uncover more information about these people through side stories that help to build a picture in your head of what the hell happened here, and why there is such an evil presence within the village.
The core mechanic centres on the Camera Obscura. To banish the various wraiths you encounter, Mio must take photographs of them to drain their health. It sounds simple in premise, but this approach to ‘combat’ has many layers to it. The main objective with any photo is to make sure the wraith is in focus. Not only that, its focal points need to be within frame. If a wraith is at a distance, you’ll get a photo without little effect on your willpower or health, but the problem with that is it often does little damage. Getting up close is a much better tactic.
The problem with that is these wraiths can lunge at you and lower your willpower. This leads to attacks that then drain your health. Losing your footing and falling to the floor, only to try and shake off an attack is stressful and relentless in the moment. That risk and reward is vital, though. Getting close, monitoring the zoom and focus, while hitting those focal points can lead to significant damage being done, just as long as you don’t get caught out at the last minute. It’s nerve-wracking, for sure. Still, these opportunities are rewarded when done right.
There are various types of camera roll the camera obscura can use. Some take longer to load but do more damage, while others have varying effects. Then, if the opportunity presents itself, you can trigger ‘Fatal Frame.’ This means a barrage of photos can be taken in quick succession to do multiple damage at once. All of these variables help to weaken enemies and eventually banish them. It takes a significant amount of time to get it right. I struggled for a while to do noticeable damage quickly. Early fights take time, and patience is tested when getting rid of wraiths.
This level of strategy is further grown through the different filters. These don’t only help in combat, either. Some allow you to find hidden areas for secret items, as well as locating spirits behind walls. Experimenting through the use of these filters helps Mio to find clues to what is going on, just as much as they can be used to dispatch ghosts throughout Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake. Even when not holding your camera, wraiths can attack you. Going to pick up an item near a gap in a wall could lead to your wrist being grabbed, meaning you never truly feel safe.
While Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake has made improvements to old mechanics, it’s such a gorgeous game. The level of detail is impressive in most of the locations. Not only has effort gone in to making these homes and buildings feel lived in once, their crumbling interiors illicit a sense of fear. The sound design is also great. Small bumps and sounds are often heard around the village. You never know if something is going to try and attack you. Maybe it’s just the wind, right? Koei Tecmo has also done a fantastic job with character animations.
The ghosts are pretty terrifying, but Mio and Mayu look so much better than they used to. I also love the mechanic where you can hold hands with your sister to improve your health. These little touches help to show the closeness in their relationship as they try and survive whatever the hell is going on in this village. The lighting has also been improved dramatically, adding to the tension. You never quite know if that’s something hiding in a corner or just your imagination.
For those looking for a new survival horror to play, Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is an excellent choice. Battling wraiths take time to get used to, but with practice and making use of the camera’s upgrades, wraiths will be sent to their resting place swiftly with practice. It looks and sounds infinitely better than before, with an engaging story and some fantastic world design. It was always one of those great Japanese horrors, but now it’s worth revisiting for old fans, too.
