Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Tecmo
  • Release Date: Dec 10, 2003
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 186 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 162 out of 186
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 186
  3. Negative: 7 out of 186
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  1. crimsondoor
    Feb 20, 2019
    10
    This is a beautiful horror game and most importantly it is VERY Japanese. 12 years ago this game actually motivated me to learn Japanese because I wanted to understand the plot. After I got quite fluent I watched the playthrough again and appreciated it much more because of all the puns as well as elements related to Japanese culture and history.

    I think it's very unfortunate when    This is a beautiful horror game and most importantly it is VERY Japanese. 12 years ago this game actually motivated me to learn Japanese because I wanted to understand the plot. After I got quite fluent I watched the playthrough again and appreciated it much more because of all the puns as well as elements related to Japanese culture and history.

    I think it's very unfortunate when people do not understand Fatal Frame games because of cultural differences. I would say it's worth to learn Japanese for this game :)

    On the game itself, 2 is the most unique and perhaps most beautiful entry out of the 3 PS2 FF games in my opinion.
    1. It's quite easy compared with 1 and 3. (Difficulty wise it's 3>1>2) Camera also lacks charging mechanism.
    2. It's not as scary and claustrophobic. Except for a few levels...like the black and white chasing sequences...
    3. Colour palette is more vivid and warmer than the two other games.
    4. It's about sisterly love, while 1 and 3 are about loss of loved ones, sorrow and agony.
    5. The ending is perhaps one of the most famous in video game history. It's legendary for a reason. You have to play the game to watch it for yourself. I thought (and still think) that there is no place for songs with vocal in a game unless they are ballads, but "Chou" by Amano Tsukiko changed my opinion.

    There is a reason people still pick the original PS2 game over the remake including myself. Not only gameplay mechanism is better and characters look more authentic (because of the unnecessary face job, Mio and Mayu in the remake look artificial, almost like dolls), but the perfect blend of the intro of the song and ending movie created the most shocking, haunting and beautiful PS2 game experience, while the Wii ending does not evoke the same feeling.

    **I read the other reviews and no one mentioned the amazing atmosphere or the plot? What the hell?! Is the English version lost in translation that's why no one cares for it?    … Expand
  2. sckolar
    May 26, 2014
    8
    Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is and improvement from the first in some ways, and weaker in others.

    Where it improves: -Well to start off, it all the Fatal Frame games, items do not res-pawn, so if you used up all your film in the first one when fighting ghosts, you were screwed. Same went for medicine, and towards the later parts of the game this started to piss me off, and rather    Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is and improvement from the first in some ways, and weaker in others.

    Where it improves:
    -Well to start off, it all the Fatal Frame games, items do not res-pawn, so if you used up all your film in the first one when fighting ghosts, you were screwed. Same went for medicine, and towards the later parts of the game this started to piss me off, and rather than feel like a difficult challenge, it felt like an unfair trap. Fatal Frame 2 offers a default film that doesn't run out, but is weak. This at least gives you a fighting chance if you run out of film, and makes it so that you are still provided with a challenge

    -More interesting and difficult puzzles. The puzzles Are more difficult to solve, and actually vary unlike the first one

    -Is more scary. The ghosts are scarier. They look scarier, and creepier, and act creepier too. They can be unpredictable, and hard to see even when visible because they blend in. Where in the first game, the ghosts were blue, so easy to see, but in this one they are grey.

    -THE GAME IS LONGER!! Fatal Frame was between 4-5 hours long. This is almost 11 hours long!

    Where the game weakened:
    -Well, just as a side note, the game still has you backtrack a lot, but thankfully the game varies wile you do this. But what really hurts the game a little bit is that it's wide open, so 1/6 of the game feels like running long distances all for the sake of backtracking. This is not really a major issue, because the game keeps you entertained while doing so.

    -Some of the puzzles can be unfair. This happened twice in the game. There are two puzzles where there is a door in the wall, and it doesn't look like a door, it just looks like a wall. Unless you walk around pressing "X" on EVERYTHING in the entire room, you won't find it. I ended up searching up where these doors were.

    All pros and cons aside, Fatal Frame II is an improvement with inevitably a few problems, but it has interesting gameplay, scary moments, and creates the effects you expect from it's genre :D    … Expand
  3. BonbonA.
    Aug 7, 2005
    9
    Have u ever been in luph with a scary stuff? o_O Well, this game is pretty charming n very scary ;) I never play the 1st Fatal Frame, but this 1 is amazing. The graphics r just the best. The sound n the gameplay r pretty good :)
  4. DanR.
    Jun 20, 2004
    10
    This game kicks ass!
  5. MindyM.
    Jul 15, 2004
    9
    Scariest game I've ever played, although SIlent Hill is a close runner up. I had nightmares for quite awhile, but that was a good thing. The worst part about the game is the agonizingly slow pace of Mio's running.
  6. EricA.
    Dec 9, 2003
    10
    This was the most scariest game I have ever played in my life. When I played it I almost pooped my pants.
  7. Pat1L.
    Sep 14, 2003
    10
    I think its going to be so kool! i mean literally, it seems to not only going to have a sweet storyline but a more compelling gameplay with more HORROR! considering from the trailor, i really like how it has an new and original like storyline. nice indeed!_!
  8. ORevisor
    Apr 6, 2018
    10
    O melhor jogo do gênero que já joguei. Personagens carismáticas, história bem desenvolvida e dramática, cenários perfeitos, e muitos sustos. A única coisa que não gostei foi a velocidade em que a protagonista anda/corre (muito devagar mesmo).
  9. KristineC.
    Nov 3, 2003
    10
    This has got to be an awesome spin off from the original FF1! I loved the first one for it's horrific surprises. Don't let us down TecMo! I'm buyin this one too! Saw plenty of screen shots.....awesome.
  10. LormanL.
    Mar 31, 2004
    10
    Very tragic but "FUN TO PLAY"
  11. RuyaT.
    Jul 30, 2004
    10
    I never like scary stuff. I was always more of a Final Fantasy and Chrono Cross fan...and I hated the original Fatal Frame. Well, there I was at the video store and they had literally NO FANTASY SHIT LEFT! So I said, 'what the hell?'and grabbed Crimson Butterfly, not really intending to play it. Boredom got the best of me, so I popped it in. Now, I can't get enough scary I never like scary stuff. I was always more of a Final Fantasy and Chrono Cross fan...and I hated the original Fatal Frame. Well, there I was at the video store and they had literally NO FANTASY SHIT LEFT! So I said, 'what the hell?'and grabbed Crimson Butterfly, not really intending to play it. Boredom got the best of me, so I popped it in. Now, I can't get enough scary stuff!I actually WANT to be scared now! This is the best game ever! Not just in the survival/horror genre...EVER! ;_; BUT MY MEAN ASS MOM WON'T LET ME BUY IT! … Expand
  12. JohnnyB.
    Apr 1, 2006
    8
    This is one scary game. I refused to play it at night and even during the day there had to be someone else in the house. The ambience is bone chilling and the camera obscura is great choice for a weapon because you have to look directly at the ghost to kill it. The ending is very difficult, but that may be the only setback to an otherwise great game.
  13. TrueZen
    Dec 16, 2003
    10
    This game is a crazy sarced me to death and back!!!
  14. CarolineM.
    Dec 18, 2003
    10
    This game rocks, man !!!! wheewww...!!! cant say anythin' except...Greatest game I ever played!!!
  15. BenR.
    Jan 26, 2004
    10
    The first one great and this is just the icing on the cake. Scary stuff indeed. the tecmo team has done it again for me.
  16. RachelQ.
    Apr 13, 2004
    10
    Absolutely terrifying, but in a way that is stylish, intelligent, and thought-provoking. I dare you to play this game with the light's off - you'll be so frightened you won't won't to go get a drink from the fridge out of fear that a girl in a bloodstained kimono will be waiting for you!
  17. MikeG.
    Dec 1, 2003
    10
    I can't wait to go and get this game somehow, no matter if I get it as a X-Mas present or I buy it myself. I can't wait to get my hands on it and read the intruction booklet. I extremely can't wait to pop it in my PS2 and see this game for myself and play it. The first one was like amazing to me. I absolutely loved it. The suspense,horror,story, everything about it is good, I can't wait to go and get this game somehow, no matter if I get it as a X-Mas present or I buy it myself. I can't wait to get my hands on it and read the intruction booklet. I extremely can't wait to pop it in my PS2 and see this game for myself and play it. The first one was like amazing to me. I absolutely loved it. The suspense,horror,story, everything about it is good, expecially when things pop out at you. I love that!! … Expand
  18. MattZ.
    Dec 14, 2003
    10
    After playing this game with a couple of my friends who were never really scared of horror any thing were scared to go home alone in the dark.
  19. JesseC.
    Dec 31, 2003
    10
    ***SPOILERS*** This game is DA BOMB! The graphics are good, the voice acting is superb and the story is awesome as it is creepy! I especially love the ghosts, my favorite being Chitose and Itsuki. The story really makes you feel sorry for these damned people of the village. At the same time, you feel the need to put an end to the chaos and unlock the mystery behind the crimson butterfly.***SPOILERS*** This game is DA BOMB! The graphics are good, the voice acting is superb and the story is awesome as it is creepy! I especially love the ghosts, my favorite being Chitose and Itsuki. The story really makes you feel sorry for these damned people of the village. At the same time, you feel the need to put an end to the chaos and unlock the mystery behind the crimson butterfly. The two endings are wonderfully crafted, as they force the player to determine which was worth saving: the village or your sister? I also love the fact that the game ties in nicely with the first game, featuring the story behind one of the ghosts from FF1. Overall, it's one helluva ride! It's right up there with Silent Hill 2!… Expand
  20. LissaR.
    Nov 13, 2004
    8
    Honestly I was expecting more out of this game. It's too similar to the first game. Also, it's really annoying to have Mayu constantly getting in the way of the camera. It's a good game, but I expected it to be great after seeing the previews.
  21. JulieT.
    Jan 25, 2004
    10
    This game is soooo scary. It makes resident evil and all those other horror games look like a walk in the park. The best graphics i have ever seen. Also has the prettiest sceneries and the scariest of all. And the twin girls mio and mayu are so pretty. But most of all one of the greatest games ever made in history of gaming.
  22. RyanC.
    Mar 14, 2004
    10
    This is the most scariest game I have ever played and the best. If you don't have it, you have to get it.
  23. AnitaAndersen
    Feb 12, 2009
    10
    ...one of the creepiest and greatest games I have played so far. The story is well-created and depressing...you just want these girls to be happy no matter what. You feel the fear of the loss they have, and the horrible things which happened before their time to surface again...The battle itself is okay, it does not feel as if upgrading your camera really makes a difference, but since the...one of the creepiest and greatest games I have played so far. The story is well-created and depressing...you just want these girls to be happy no matter what. You feel the fear of the loss they have, and the horrible things which happened before their time to surface again...The battle itself is okay, it does not feel as if upgrading your camera really makes a difference, but since the story-line is so great and touching, it does not really matter. Play it, if you dare. But beware: You will see/hear things and be scared for life. A wonderful japanese folklore shinto horror game...… Expand
  24. scaremehplox
    Mar 14, 2009
    9
    I cannot say if this is the scariest game ive ever played because silent hill 3 runs pretty close. (this scarier than SH 1,2,4,5) They are 2 different kinds of scary: SH3 builds tention and messes with your head and eventually you're scared shitless and runnung for your life. FF2 is more of a "spur of the moment" scary (not a "b" movie shocker though it has some of those moments) ItI cannot say if this is the scariest game ive ever played because silent hill 3 runs pretty close. (this scarier than SH 1,2,4,5) They are 2 different kinds of scary: SH3 builds tention and messes with your head and eventually you're scared shitless and runnung for your life. FF2 is more of a "spur of the moment" scary (not a "b" movie shocker though it has some of those moments) It builds some tention as your running through a haunted house (though not as tention filled as SH3) but the real scares are the perfect timing of ghost spawns combied with the great camera angles. Even worse, you have to get "up close and personal" with the first person camera obscura leaving you very vaunerable to ghosts coming up behind you. Gmesplay is somewhat lackluster, 7/10, but I had to give a 9 because its rare to come by a such scary game.… Expand
  25. EricR.
    Nov 15, 2003
    10
    The only reason that I am going to give this game a 10, is because the number 11 wasn't an option. I have been waiting for this game to come out ever since I laid eyes on the original. I hope this one is longer because it only takes about 5 hours to beat the first one. The graphics look great. I cant WAIIIT!!! I just know its gonna be my new favorite game ever. And the scariest.
  26. RobbyDigital
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    Not the most, but one of the spookiest games of the year. Unless your reflexes have dulled to the point of no return, FF2 WILL make you jump... seriously... at least once. The game takes place in a classic horror setting. You play as Mio, one of two twin sisters who happen to lose their way in the woods. They stumble upon a creepy villiage where they (you) will literally be chased around Not the most, but one of the spookiest games of the year. Unless your reflexes have dulled to the point of no return, FF2 WILL make you jump... seriously... at least once. The game takes place in a classic horror setting. You play as Mio, one of two twin sisters who happen to lose their way in the woods. They stumble upon a creepy villiage where they (you) will literally be chased around by ghosts. Only these particular spooks have a far bigger vocabualry than the typical "BOO!". Some are, little by little, telling you the twisted secrets behind the cursed villiage. The others... well... they would rather you be part of the story. Your objective: get out! To do so, you'll need the help a very special camera (hense the title), a flashlight that never cooperates, and countless ancient artifacts found around town. The only problem you may have is with combat (if you're looking for Devil May Cry/Resident Evil style fighting you will be sadly dissapointed) as well as the variety of "enemies". Bottom line: FF2 contains much less action and much more atmosphere than average survival/horror games. Nice graphics, amazing sound, and an above average story make this puzzle worth the time to put together. … Expand
  27. EduardoR.
    Dec 16, 2003
    10
    This is an excellent game, it feels more in the style of Silent Hill than part 1. The graphics are awesome! I hope we can get a part 3 soon soon.
  28. SteveH.
    Dec 26, 2003
    10
    Seriously...this game scared the sh*t out of me..its like the ring but better. start this game late at night, turn out the lights and have a friend with you.
  29. doodlerman
    Jun 11, 2011
    9
    Despite an ending that is so-so, this game is seriously unsettling. It isn't necessarily scary, but throughout the entire game I found myself wanting to take breaks just because of the unsettling effect that the game's atmosphere had. One of the most unsettling parts of this game was the fact that you have to return to certain areas that you've been to before, and there's something aboutDespite an ending that is so-so, this game is seriously unsettling. It isn't necessarily scary, but throughout the entire game I found myself wanting to take breaks just because of the unsettling effect that the game's atmosphere had. One of the most unsettling parts of this game was the fact that you have to return to certain areas that you've been to before, and there's something about going back and forth about the village that creates this feeling that few horror games have, because most horror games require you to go forward, and you never really have to worry about going back to a place unless you want to have another play through. It's that sort of feeling that makes you think, "Man, I don't want to go there. I hate that place!" and when a horror game is able to successfully make you feel that, then you know they got the job done. Most people say that that's a feeling of tediousness, but they're also the type that doesn't admit being uncomfortable, and this game has very few moments that lack unease. Now I feel obligated to play the first, third, and fourth in the series, that's how impressed by this I was.… Expand
  30. Rox22
    Sep 26, 2013
    9
    Absolutely fantastic game. Creepy as hell, story deep and very flushed out, breathtaking visuals and locations and sound and music that will send chills down your spine.

    Fatal frame 2 takes follows the same formula of the first game, but improves on everything to near perfect status. Bigger area, deeply improved controls and combat, scarier and more varied enemies. For me, this is    Absolutely fantastic game. Creepy as hell, story deep and very flushed out, breathtaking visuals and locations and sound and music that will send chills down your spine.

    Fatal frame 2 takes follows the same formula of the first game, but improves on everything to near perfect status. Bigger area, deeply improved controls and combat, scarier and more varied enemies.

    For me, this is the perfect survival horror game. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, for me it is perfection as far as the genre is concerned.

    Overall:
    One of the few games ever that got me scared and had me looking over my shoulder. To this day, I still get the creeps whenever I think of this game.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best PS2 Game of 2003
22
#22 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
16
#16 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. games(TM)
    60
    Exploring the lost village is a terrifying experience that's enhanced by a greatly improved graphics engine and a well-structured soundtrack. Tecmo's latest effort may be flawed and far from innovative, but it's still an enjoyably scary experience. [Feb 2004, p.114]
  2. PSX Nation
    90
    Warning though, this one's not for kids (unless you don't mind them staying up all night, too scared to go to sleep).
    Read full review
  3. Times Online
    80
    There’s not much innovation here — the gameplay is far too linear and there is too much emphasis on key searching to trigger the next cut scene — but for atmosphere alone it is hard to beat.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »