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. MattS.
    Dec 12, 2003
    5
    People, let's be reasonable, this area is to rate games, not to give it a 10 when you haven't played it and say " I can't wait to play it, it looks great!". This is not a message board, so unless you can say something helpful, please post your messages elsewhere
  5. LopsterPopster
    Apr 1, 2012
    5
    The atmosphere is definitely creepy, but this just wasn't my cup of tea. I like to fight monsters, not take a picture of them to "fight" them. Granted the ghosts were pretty terrifying-looking, I was never scared. I just didn't find the game fun at all.
  6. PatA.
    May 5, 2004
    5
    Where is the scary parts? i was expecting what i was told was going to be the scariest game ever played, too short and not as scary as silent hill. What about it was so scary to you people?
  7. DanR.
    Jun 20, 2004
    10
    This game kicks ass!
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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!_!
  11. llamayarmybar
    Jul 21, 2011
    7
    Controlling you're character and getting that camera to work just how you want it are in fact more nightmarish than the game itself. Yes it is plagued by Resident Evil syndrome wherein you have predesignated camera angles in rooms that add frustration to the clunky movement of you're character. Thank god the game is incredibly easy and I mean its really just running around-bump intoControlling you're character and getting that camera to work just how you want it are in fact more nightmarish than the game itself. Yes it is plagued by Resident Evil syndrome wherein you have predesignated camera angles in rooms that add frustration to the clunky movement of you're character. Thank god the game is incredibly easy and I mean its really just running around-bump into ghost (or wall)-simple attack pattern-click-flash-fatal frame-dead-dead ghost. Thats the game outside of some pretty average puzzles and tracking down keys along finding some cryptic clues have yet to explain many things in full about the ultimate plot. I'm guessing thats not the focus here though. The camera is an excellent concept, the upgrading is cool and customization is fantastic. It is however, overpowered and dispatches those pesky ghosts pretty quickly especially when you find the more powerful film soon after the beginning. The unsettling details of terrible deaths and even "replayed" said terrible deaths are more intense then the combat alone though. You will quickly start asking yourself: "why are the rooms up until the ghosts creepier than my fights with ghosts?" Its also not very scary, but the atmosphere is quite good and enjoyable if you like that sort of theme in you're horror genre. Another thing that I found odd was- exactly how are you killed by a ghost? I mean when a ghost touches my ankle how exactly do I take damage from that? When a ghost gives me a hug- how exactly did that detract from my health? It also doesn't establish why some ghosts are just neutral. Like the many apparitions you take snapshots of or clues that require you to "exercise" a ghostly spirit for some reason they aren't harmful? Oh, but restless ghostly spirits are though! Right. It kind of just makes up these pre-established rules, but its not a huge deal. Its still great if you enjoy this series. It does a lot of things right and its fun too. The village is quite linear though and the game is a bit on the short side although over-all its a great experience.… Expand
  12. 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).
  13. DemonicRobots
    Oct 19, 2021
    7
    Wow. This game. Fatal Frame 2 was a great sequel in almost all aspects. The story was infinitely better and created a real depth that the first one desperately needed. The graphics were improved and the location offered a lot of variances as it was an entire village rather than one mansion, so you had more indoor and outdoor locations and not nearly as much backtracking. The ghost designWow. This game. Fatal Frame 2 was a great sequel in almost all aspects. The story was infinitely better and created a real depth that the first one desperately needed. The graphics were improved and the location offered a lot of variances as it was an entire village rather than one mansion, so you had more indoor and outdoor locations and not nearly as much backtracking. The ghost design was more haunting, and having other characters/survivors around created a lot more tension. The bond between the two main characters was great and really connected them to the story and what happened before you arrived rather than seeing the aftermath through a window. But my god, the gameplay. The gameplay was absolutely horrendous. In the first game, you would aim your camera at ghosts and the longer you stared at them, the more damage you did. There were also 'fatal frame' moves that acted like a parry, and if you shot your camera right as you were about to be hit you got essentially a critical hit. They COMPLETELY changed it in Fatal Frame 2, and severely downgraded it. The combat was now trying to be more complicated and totally failed, as now it was based more on the range. No matter how long you had your camera on an enemy, you had to get close to them. The problem was that unless you got a Fatal Frame shot, you simply didn't do damage. Even strong film against the weakest enemies didn't do much, and really made you want to just run past as many enemies as possible out of annoyance rather than fear or lack of resources. It is such a shame because really, this is a great game in every other way but the core gameplay is so bad that it doesn't make me want to return back to it. Great story, great graphics, horrendous gameplay. If this game had the same gameplay and camera mechanics as the first game, it would probably be one of my favorite games of all time and would bump it up to an eight or nine, maybe even a ten.… Expand
  14. 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.
  15. LormanL.
    Mar 31, 2004
    10
    Very tragic but "FUN TO PLAY"
  16. 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
  17. 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.
  18. TrueZen
    Dec 16, 2003
    10
    This game is a crazy sarced me to death and back!!!
  19. CarolineM.
    Dec 18, 2003
    10
    This game rocks, man !!!! wheewww...!!! cant say anythin' except...Greatest game I ever played!!!
  20. 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.
  21. 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!
  22. 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
  23. 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.
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. MaikaoX.
    Feb 17, 2004
    5
    It was alright. Not much different from the first. I was expecting more from this one, so a little disappointed.
  28. 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.
  29. 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
  30. 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
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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
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