Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake was released earlier this month on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2. As its name might imply, it is a remake of the 2002 PS2 horror game, complete with updated visuals, high-resolution textures, and upgraded lighting and shadow contrast. Changes were also made to gameplay to make it more appealing to modern gaming audiences.

The title revolves around the sisters following a mysterious crimson butterfly and entering the long-abandoned Minakami Village. Trapped in what appears to be a never-ending night, Mio gets separated from her sister and must set forth to reunite with her. Along the way, she’ll run into many spirits, with her only real form of defense being the Camera Obscura—a strange camera that seems capable of sealing away hostile spirits.

Publisher Koei Tecmo has described the remake’s take on the Camera Obscura as being reworked to “offer a more intense and rich experience during combat and exploration.” Alongside dealing with spirits by taking photos, players will also be able to use tools like focus, zoom and filters, as well as special shots that can deal extra damage in combat.

In an interview back in February, directors Makoto Shibata and Hidehiko Nakajima revealed that the decision to remake Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly came about thanks to the demands of fans. “When we released recent remasters, we received many requests from fans asking specifically for Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly,” when asked about remaking the game, referring to 2008 Japan-exclusive Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse and 2014 Wii U title Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water. “Responding to those voices was the main reason behind this project,” they continued.

They also spoke about the designs of Mio and Mayu, noting that it was important for the studio to capture the original’s balance of color and overall image while ensuring that their outfits wouldn’t feel out of place in modern fashion.

“We designed the costumes with reference to the original color balance and overall image, while aiming for clothing that would not feel out of place if worn by someone today,” they explained. “Players can closely examine these details in Photo Mode, and we paid particular attention to textures and material quality.”

Shibata had revealed more details about the development of Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake in an interview with us, where he discussed new technologies like PSSR, as well as some of the gameplay changes that players should expect from the remake.

In the meantime, players who are curious about Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake can check out a free demo available on all platforms. You can also check out our review – we gave it a seven out of ten, praising the story and visuals while criticizing the combat and performance on PS5.

Along with showing off the horror title’s story and atmosphere, the trailer also gives us a look at gameplay, which revolves around players making use of a strange camera, dubbed the Camera Obscura, to take on the various ghosts haunting the abandoned village that serves as the game’s main setting. Amidst all the flash-cuts and jump scares, the trailer also shows us how Mio can recover some of her health by holding hands with Mayu as they slowly explore the village. As it approaches its end, the trailer also provides hints of the dark secrets that the village has been hiding.

The main story of Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly revolves around Mio and Mayu wandering into an abandoned village that seems to be haunted. During the course of their exploration, however, Mayu goes missing, and it’s up to Mio to save her. Further complicating matters is the fact that both sisters are somehow being forced to relive the village’s final day. The title was originally released on PS2 back in 2003, before also getting an Xbox release in 2004 through a Director’s Cut version, which added a new ending and more difficulty options.

Since the title has long been considered a cult classic, directors Makoto Shibata and Hidehiko Nakajima spoke about how the remake happened thanks to the demands of fans. “When we released recent remasters, we received many requests from fans asking specifically for Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly,” they said, referring to remasters of the 2008 Japan-exclusive Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse and 2014 Wii U game Fatal Frame: Maiden of the Black Water.

“Responding to those voices was the main reason behind this project,” they said. The duo also noted that Team Ninja had to ensure that special care went into the design of Mio and Mayu, and especially their outfits.

“We designed the costumes with reference to the original color balance and overall image, while aiming for clothing that would not feel out of place if worn by someone today,” they explained. “Players can closely examine these details in Photo Mode, and we paid particular attention to textures and material quality.”

For more details on Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake, check out our interview with its developers. Also check out everything you need to know before facing its horrors. Players that might want to give the game a shot without committing to a full purchase can also try out the free demo. If you’re still curious, check out the gameplay improvements in the remake over the original, as showcased in its September 2025 trailer.

"If I were to complain, the lack of graphical options is one area I wish the developers had worked on."

Let’s begin with the visuals. There’s a lot to like on that front, with textures and assets that bring a layer of realism to both indoor and outdoor environments that the PS2 simply couldn’t manage. Mio and Mayu look excellent, although their facial animations could have used a little more polish.

The way lighting works in this game is among its highlights on the visual front, with rays of it streaming through open windows and the foliage of the forest waving so realistically that it automatically makes everything feel more real as a result. And while the new spirit designs might prove divisive, I can safely say that they’re still scary as hell.

If I were to complain, the lack of graphical options is one area I wish the developers had worked on. There’s also a sort of grainy filter operating throughout the adventure, giving you the impression that it was all recorded on an older camera. It adds to the realism, yes, but it can get quite annoying after a while. An option to toggle it on or off would have been much appreciated, but it is what it is.

Moving on from the visuals, the gameplay has also seen some changes. You’re introduced to the new hand-holding mechanic quite early on, and I really liked the added layer it brings to Mio and Mayu’s bond. Holding Mayu’s hand restores both Health and Willpower, which is a nice touch. However, considering how the story often forces the two of you apart, I don’t think I was able to get as much out of it as I’d have liked.

"The Camera Obscura continues to be among the coolest ways to deal with enemies in any game I’ve played."

I’d have liked Mayu to be more involved in the game’s combat, but she continues to be problematic, her injured leg rendering her helpless and terrified in the face of any Spirits that you happen upon. Protecting her in a fight is an easy way to get a couple of free hits in; other than that, she’s largely a liability in combat.

Speaking of combat, the Camera Obscura continues to be among the coolest ways to deal with enemies in any game I’ve played. The remake adds focus, zoom, and filter switching to make it feel more like an actual tool than a simple accessory. The premise is simple: you point it at hostile spirits, wait for it to focus properly, and then snap a photo the moment they attack for serious damage. In theory, that makes things quite easy, and it indeed was simple in the original version. All you had to do was bait out enemy attacks and then click away to give the spirits some well-earned rest.

That isn’t the case in this remake, however, as the spirits are now far more aggressive and mobile in a fight. Features like Shutter Chance, Fatal Time, and filter-based Special Shots should have made encounters more dynamic, but the results are not consistent. They teleport wildly, forcing you to constantly pivot to find them, and move much faster, making lining up your shots a lot harder. I can see what the developers were going for, but it largely made combat a chore rather than a welcome change in the remake, and there are a few reasons why.

For starters, even with the remake’s freer movement and broader control improvements, Mio can still feel too slow once combat gets hectic. While that’s all right on its own (although it did make exploring the village feel too slow for my liking), it’s an absolute pain in combat. I spent half my time avoiding enemy attacks without my camera raised for a counterattack, and the evade doesn’t help matters by much.

"It’s a shame the combat feels so imbalanced, because the rest of the game is genuinely engaging."

It doesn’t let you reposition well enough to get a quick shot with your camera, and often puts you right in the path of a follow-up attack when you’re facing an enemy that does a few of them in a row. As far as moving around the arena is concerned, Mio definitely needed an upgrade, and it’s baffling that she hasn’t received one while her enemies have been dialled up to a hundred.

Mobility problems aside, Mio’s health and Willpower drain too quickly in combat, while healing supplies remain as scarce as they were in the original game. Once again, that’s an imbalance that’s quite costly, as you’re left scrambling to avoid damage as much as you can. It prolongs fights unnecessarily, forcing you into a cautious playstyle that quickly becomes tedious rather than exhilarating.

As it stands, combat in Fatal Frame II is too imbalanced to be fun, and I found myself trying to avoid fights as much as I could instead of taking on Spirits for some fun photographic play. It definitely needs some tweaking to level the playing field. I’m all for a challenge, but it’s a problem when that challenge stems from a game’s mechanics rather than its enemies. You only have to take on an enemy in a closed space to see what I mean.

It doesn’t help that the controls feel clunky when you’re in a fight, which is a very irksome issue when combined with Mio’s slow movements. Instead of an experience where you’re carefully lining up shots and timing them well to maximize the damage you’re dealing, you’re left chipping away at enemy health bars while hoping you can get out of the way when they teleport and come at you from another angle.

I really hope that the developers introduce some fixes on the combat front ahead of the final release. It desperately needs them.

"The game performs reasonably well, although limiting the framerate to 30fps across consoles might not be a choice that everybody would agree with."

It’s a shame the combat feels so imbalanced, because the rest of the game is genuinely engaging. I found myself going out of my way to find hidden lore drops that further flesh out Minakami Village’s dark history, while much-needed upgrade materials for the Camera Obscura remain cleverly tucked away in nooks and crannies that only the most diligent explorers are going to find.

The audio design is another highlight, with the remake adding 3D audio support that really helps offset an enemy’s aggressive teleporting shenanigans to a large degree when you’ve got a good pair of headphones on. Your camera’s reload gets a distinctive sound effect, and the game does a good job of telling you when you’re ready to launch your next attack. The soundtrack effects are also spot on, working well with the visuals to set a grim tone and moody environment.

The game performs reasonably well, although limiting the framerate to 30fps across consoles might not be a choice that everybody would agree with. I might have forgiven it if the framerate didn’t drop quite often on a base PS5, especially during combat, but it is what it is. A higher-framerate console option would have improved the experience considerably.

The side stories are another area that I loved about this one, introduced so organically that it can get hard not to let the game steer you away from the main story in favor of discovering more about the moody, grim world that the sisters have found themselves in. The story is as good as it’s ever been, and if you haven’t played the original, I cannot recommend it enough. This is a game that isn’t afraid to take you to some very dark places, both literally and metaphorically. There’s a new ending for you to unlock; however, there are reports that the Haunted House Mode or Deep Crimson Butterflies endings are not included in this remake.

Despite its many strengths, Crimson Butterfly Remake’s tedious combat holds it back from being a title I can recommend easily. While it’s going to have its takers, mostly die-hard fans of the franchise eager to dive back into its excellent world and narrative, I wouldn’t take this one on until it gets some much-needed adjustments to enemy aggression and your character’s movement speed.

However, if those issues aren’t likely to bother you, this is still a remake worth exploring, and one whose atmosphere remains difficult for other horror games to emulate. It’s unique, interesting, and as absolutely terrifying as it was in the past.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Your progress carries over to the full release once it drops next week, so you might want to make the most of the head start that this demo offers. If you haven’t played this classic back in the day, it’s quite the trip. Blending chills and thrills as you step into the shoes of Mio and Mayu Amakura, this one had us quite hesitant to turn the lights off. Narratively, it’s as morbid as the abandoned village you explore, its inherent eeriness seeping into every moment you spend navigating the alleys and dilapidated buildings.

The remake has made several changes to the original experience, though, and series producer Makoto Shibata was happy to outline some of them in this interview from last month. A brand-new perspective and reworked approach to the story and side content should make this one a surprise for franchise veterans and newcomers alike. You can also check out our impressions from a preview build here.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake launches on March 12th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.

https://x.com/KoeiTecmoUS/status/2029557698606276839

Crimson Desert

The big one, with arguably the most hype, is Crimson Desert. It’s been a long journey towards release, and no matter how many interviews or videos we see, it has something new to reveal every time. Can it meet all the hype? Maybe. Maybe not. One thing that’s for sure is we’re looking forward to scouring Pywel for secrets, learning the ins and outs of each character’s fighting style, and wreaking havoc with our favorite mech/dragon/bear mount when it launches on March 19th.

Pokémon Pokopia

A Ditto imitating a human deciding to open a farm and bring on other Pokémon to help from the team behind Dynasty Warriors – sounds about right. Far be it from Pokémon Pokopia, out on March 5th, to just be Nintendo’s take on “Palworld” but with a 20 to 40 hour story, post-game content and even four-player co-op, there should be just enough to hold you over until the next generation arrives.

Marathon

Even as a Destiny player who’s been disappointed by many Bungie decisions over the years, I have to admit – Marathon doesn’t look half-bad. Maybe it’s because the six Runner Shells actually have compelling kits, or due to the quality of life features, or the killer presentation – from that sick match loading screen to the extraction. Either way, Marathon should have some impact when it launches on March 5th – whether Bungie can keep that going is another issue.

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf

Following up on the original’s gorgeous hand-painted aesthetic and environmental storytelling, Children of the Leaf promises to be even bigger and more mysterious. Which is all well and good, but it’s also packing plenty of new mechanics, including expanded traversal options. If it can mirror the original’s cinematic excellence, Planet of Lana 2 could very well be a dark horse when it arrives on March 5th.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake

If Fatal Frame proves anything, it’s that the camera is sometimes mightier than the gun and also sometimes just as ineffective against angry spirits if you can’t aim right. Fortunately, Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake has a lot more going for it – including a new over-the-shoulder perspective, gorgeous overhauled visuals, and new features like holding hands – perfect for trying to survive the night. It’s out on March 12th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, and even includes a new ending over the original.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando

There’s something about the cheesy, 80s action movie-esque mayhem that Saber brings to the table in John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando. Maybe it’s also about seeing the Swarm Engine applied to zombies, ensuring plenty of massive hordes that you don’t know whether to shoot or gawk at (the former. Always the former). After the surprisingly fun demo, we’re keen to go commando even more when the full game launches on March 12th.

Docked

Of course, Saber Interactive doesn’t just want to cater to your urge for co-op chaos. No, it also knows there’s an audience for operating big machinery and solving real-world problems, like in Docked. As the lead operator of a dock wrecked by a hurricane, it’s your job to keep the cargo moving, managing and operating heavy equipment, bringing in contracts, and building it back up. It’s out on March 5th for just $29.99 on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Maybe you’re interested in the antics of Azuria and Vermeil, two kingdoms at odds while the Crystal Encroachment wreaks havoc. But if you’re just here for the monsters, Monster Hunter Stories 3, launching on March 13th, has plenty to throw at you. From old-school classics like Yama Tsukami to the contemporary, Malzeno, Narwa, Ibushi and Arkveld, there is a lot to choose from. And best of all, you can obtain variants with Habitat Restoration, including a fiery Zinogre.

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!

Speaking of surprisingly fun demos, Starship Troopers may very well be back courtesy of Auroch Digital’s raucous new first-person shooter, which launches on March 16th. No building or resource collection here – it’s a straight-up, Boltgun-style retro shooter where you slay many, many bugs. Does it feel a little Helldivers-esque at times, especially with the drop pods? Well, sure, but full circle and whatnot, and how can you possibly say no to Johnny Rico himself?

GreedFall: The Dying World

The other game to drop the “2”, that too before Overwatch, is GreedFall: The Dying World. Furthermore, it’s out on March 12th, finally exiting early access after an…ambitious entry on September 24th. But there’s new content, improved combat, more companions, additional quests, and even more to come, including a PS5 and Xbox Series X/S release. Maybe it can finally redeem the GreedFall name, such as it is.

Screamer

I’ll admit to some consternation, especially after JDM: Japanese Drift Master tried to fuse manga and street racing, but Screamer is clearly on another level. Boasting anime cutscenes, multiple playable characters, and the ECHO for power-ups like Strikes and Boosts, it’s a surprisingly intriguing mix. The futuristic setting and team racing modes, where your crew can take on others, are just the icing on top when Screamer launches on March 26th.

WWE 2K26

WWE Creative being dull and CM Punk headlining a new video game – name a more iconic duo. Thankfully, the latter means a new 2K Showcase focused on his best matches and some fantasy warfare against Legends that could have been. Other notable features include the return of Inferno, I Quit and 3 Stages of Hell matches, the ability to stack tables, and over 400 characters, perhaps the largest in history (and that’s not including DLC following the post-March 13th release).

Scott Pilgrim EX

Toronto’s time-space has been messed up, with fantastical threats like Robots and Vegans laying claim to the city. Who better to fight back, other than literally anyone else, than Scott Pilgrim and friends? Following up on Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, this is a new beat ’em up from Tribute Games with seven playable fighters, four-player local and online co-op (with drop-in/drop-out supported) and a progression system centered around Badges. If you enjoyed Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, then EX may be up your alley when it launches on March 3rd.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection

Following up on the well-received Battle Network Legacy Collection, Mega Man Star Force gets its own compilation on March 27th with all three titles and their versions. And considering the dozens of hours you can invest in each, complete with a new gallery and online play for battling, it may be just what the Doctor (not Wily) ordered.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PC)

One of the least surprising announcements of all time – thanks ESRB and Kojima – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach nevertheless promises to be the most stunning version when it releases on March 19th. It includes Ultrawide support, upscaling and Frame Generation across DLSS 4, FSR 3 and XeSS 2.0, and even lets you enable Decima’s own Pico upscaling tech. Combine this with hardware requirements that are more than achievable – just maybe buy a new SSD – and it may very well warrant another playthrough.

Fatal Frame is an iconic survival horror series with roots going back to the PS2 era. How are you approaching this remake to introduce a new generation of players to the franchise while still respecting what long time fans love about it?

From a development standpoint, we were able to leverage Koei Tecmo’s proprietary game engine along with the action game development expertise that Team NINJA has built over the years. Using a modern development environment, we recreated the atmosphere of the original Crimson Butterfly while delivering a visual update. The team also includes staff who are passionate fans of the Fatal Frame series, as well as members who worked on the original title, and the game experience was rebuilt by incorporating their ideas and perspectives.

This is the second remake, so, beyond visual upgrades and audio improvements, what other changes should players expect in Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake?

The biggest changes were the controls and camera perspective. In the original game, fear was often created through camera switches that revealed the presence of Wraiths as the player moved. In this remake, the game uses standard TPS controls with a continuous camera and no cuts. To support this, we reworked the staging and map design to focus on the fear that comes from players discovering something terrifying on their own. This creates a slightly different kind of fear, but we believe it significantly enhances immersion and presence.

"In the original game, fear was often created through camera switches that revealed the presence of Wraiths as the player moved."

Will any story beats, pacing choices, or cutscenes be reworked to keep the experience feeling fresh, or is the narrative being preserved as closely as possible?

While some adjustments were made to better connect cutscenes with in-game camera transitions, the cutscenes themselves largely follow the original. Some scenes that were previously cutscenes have been converted into in-game events. This change was made to create a more seamless experience using the in-game camera and to further enhance immersion.

What kind of post game content can players look forward to in the remake?

This title features multiple endings, and we encourage players to experience them all. To make it easier to view different endings and gather various collectible items, the game includes chapter select and a New Game mode that carries over upgrades. As in the original version, the high-difficulty NIGHTMARE mode can also be unlocked. In NIGHTMARE mode, players can further enhance the Camera Obscura, so we encourage those seeking a challenge to give it a try.

If this remake performs well, are there plans or interest within the team to remake other entries in the Fatal Frame series?

If this remake is well received, we would like to consider remaking other entries in the series. In doing so, it will be important that the title resonates not only with longtime fans, but also with players who actively enjoy a wide variety of modern horror games today.

"If this remake is well received, we would like to consider remaking other entries in the series."

The original Fatal Frame 2 built a gritty, tense atmosphere partly because of PS2 era technical limitations. With higher fidelity visuals, how are you preserving that grounded, oppressive tone rather than making the game feel too clean or polished?

In the original game, we carefully controlled screen noise and blur to create an analog, slightly old-film feel and a sense of atmosphere. In this remake, we maintain a subtle layer of noise during exploration so the visuals never appear overly clean. When Wraiths appear, the noise intensifies to convey a noticeable shift in the air and tension.

Classic survival horror can sometimes be known for puzzles that feel overly opaque. Are you making any adjustments to puzzle readability, hinting, or quality of life, while still keeping the challenge intact?

The original version did not place much emphasis on story reminders, but since this project is a full remake, the system was completely redesigned to better suit modern players. Objectives are clearly displayed so players understand what to do next and can easily recall their progress when resuming play. A glossary has also been added.

Fatal Frame 2 already features multiple endings. Will there be any new surprises for returning players, whether that is new scenes, new collectibles, or additional unlockables?

Yes. In addition to the remade story experience, following the newly added side stories reveals new details, and gameplay has been updated through collectible elements scattered throughout the village, as well as expanded Camera Obscura functions and upgrades. Even players who experienced the original will find new elements to enjoy.

From a developer perspective, what are your thoughts on the PS5 Pro, and how does the added GPU power affect development compared to targeting the base PS5?

Elements that were previously constrained can now be fully realized thanks to improved hardware capabilities. We have released many titles on PlayStation 5, and that experience makes it a developer-friendly platform for us.

"Elements that were previously constrained can now be fully realized thanks to improved hardware capabilities."

What are your thoughts on PSSR, and what kind of opportunities does it open up for this remake?

It’s something that we hope to make more use of in the future.

What performance targets are you aiming for across platforms in terms of resolution and frame rate, including Switch 2 in docked and handheld modes, PS5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, and PS5 Pro?

The game was developed at 30 fps to maximize visual quality and the overall horror experience. On PC, while a certain level of performance is required, players can switch to 60 fps. Across platforms, high-resolution technologies are used, with output at 2160p on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X; 1440p on Xbox Series S; and 1080p on Nintendo Switch 2. For more details, please refer to the official website.

“When we released recent remasters, we received many requests from fans asking specifically for Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly,” they said when asked about why they decided to bring this particular game back through a remake. The directors are referring to the remastered releases of the 2008 Japan-exclusive Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse and the 2014 Wii U title Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water.

“Responding to those voices was the main reason behind this project,” they continued, before going on to note that there was special care that went into the design of protagonists Mio and Mayu, and especially their outfits.

“We designed the costumes with reference to the original color balance and overall image, while aiming for clothing that would not feel out of place if worn by someone today,” they explained. “Players can closely examine these details in Photo Mode, and we paid particular attention to textures and material quality.”

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake will be the first time that the survival horror classic is playable on modern systems since the original’s 2003 release on PS2 and 2004 release on Xbox. The remake is coming to PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 on March 12th. The release date was announced back in November with a trailer.

Just last month, Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja had announced that a demo for the Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is coming to all platforms on March 5th. Not too many details about the demo had been revealed, aside from the fact that it will focus on earlier parts of the game. Whether or not progress from the demo will carry over into the full release is also unknown. Along with this, the companies announced a collaboration with Konami to feature costumes for its characters based on Silent Hill f protagonist Hinako Shimizu.

We also got a massive trailer that went into detail about the gameplay of Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake, including “combat” that revolves around using the Camera Obscura, and how players can use Special Shots that can have added benefits, from blinding hostile spirits, to dealing more damage.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake will feature a host of improvements over its predecessor. Alongside brand new visuals, we will also see modernized gameplay, and new mechanics, like “Holding Hands With Mayu”, essentially allowing Mio to heal up by holding hands with her sister throughout the harrowing events of the game.

For more details about Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake, here is everything you need to know. Also check out a trailer showcasing some of the biggest improvements it is getting over the original PS2 release.

While the first game was an unorthodox but ultimately endearing psychological horror experience, Fatal Frame 2 went above and beyond; like its disparate elements, such as merging photography with horror, finally combined into an amazing experience. The fact that its story captured the essence of Japanese horror films so well, even at a time when movies like Ringu, Ju-On: The Grudge, and more were in demand, was also incredible.

It’s why I was so excited by the remake, appropriately titled Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake (and technically it’s the second following Deep Crimson Butterfly on the Nintendo Wii). Launching on March 12th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, I went hands-on with a preview version, experiencing all of its revamps and new features firsthand. Let’s delve into everything you should know before buying, starting with…

Enhanced Visuals

The first and most obvious improvement: The visuals. Fatal Frame 2 wasn’t a bad-looking game by any means for its time, but Crimson Butterfly Remake’s refinements take it to a whole new level. Character models are more detailed (especially the hair quality) with more fluid animations; lighting and shadows feel softer and more natural; and the environments come across as more lived-in and realistic. Even compared to the 2012 Wii remake, it’s a fairly sizable leap.

Look Around

As with many horror titles in the era, Fatal Frame 2 relied on fixed camera angles, switching as you explored environments and adding a more cinematic feel to the proceedings. The remake offers more of a third-person perspective, albeit closer and more claustrophobic than usual, that lets you observe your surroundings and take in all the details. Such a change means that the gameplay is altered as a result, but it feels like a natural shift.

The Camera Obscura

Of course, the more things change, the more they remain the same, and that goes for the Camera Obscura, a mysterious device capable of dealing damage to spirits and a trademark of the franchise. It’s still here and works relatively the same in principle, but Team Ninja has enhanced it further. Alongside improving the controls, you’re no longer stuck waiting for enemies to attack you.

New Age Photography

Further adding to this are the new camera options, including the ability to focus and zoom in on objects (and even better, to photograph the scenery if you’re just taking in the atmosphere). You can also switch Filters, which offer varying degrees of functionality in combat, like slowing down enemies and snapping pictures faster with the Exposure Filter, or using the Paraceptual Filter for its long range. Radiant Filter adds some risk to combat, allowing you to deal more damage at the cost of Willpower. Which Filter you use depends on the time of battle and nature of the threat, but it adds some much-needed strategy to the affair.

Purifying the Twin Dolls

The Camera Obscura has other functions during exploration, but perhaps one of the more intriguing is the ability to take pictures of the village’s Twin Dolls. They’re located in various places, and doing so unlocks additional items in the Point Exchange. Perhaps finding them all will have an unexpected result on the plot as well.

Photo Mode

As with previous remasters and remakes, a new Photo Mode has been added, allowing players to take pictures of their environments and customise them with unique stickers, effects, frames, and whatnot. Does it hold much functionality outside of novelty? Maybe not, but you can’t just have a camera-focused game without a Photo Mode.

Holding Hands With Mayu

The sisterly bond between Mio and Mayu is an important crux of Fatal Frame 2’s plot, so it makes sense that Team Ninja would introduce a mechanic to accommodate that. Holding Hands With Mayu allows for, well, holding Mayu’s hand while exploring. Interestingly, director Makoto Shibata spoke about incorporating the mechanic for the original back in the day, but had to “give up on it for a number of reasons.” “This full remake gave us the perfect opportunity to revisit this option,” he said at last year’s Tokyo Game Show.

Restoring Willpower

Of course, there’s more holding Mayu’s hand than simply being a good sister. During dangerous situations where she falls, you’ll need to get close and lend a helping hand. It also helps in regenerating your health and Willpower – a key element, since all those battles and running around can open Mio up to eventually falling to hostile spirits.

New Side-Stories and Areas

Other fresh gameplay aspects include new side-stories and areas. While I haven’t been able to fully dive into all the new locations compared to the original, you’ll discover Broken Spirit Stones to learn more about the history of different characters. There’s also the Umbral Mound, described as “an ominous burial site tightly bound with ropes and hidden within dense bamboo groves” (and surely don’t have a deeper significance to the plot).

New Ending

That said, there is a new ending, which is interesting because those who played Fatal Frame 2 will remember the multiple different conclusions (not including the two introduced in Deep Crimson Butterfly). It’s unknown whether all of them made it in, but Team Ninja did confirm a new song by Tsukiko Amano, who performed the original theme “Cho.”

Frames and Resolutions Across Platforms

Based on the spec sheet released by Koei Tecmo, there’s good news and middling news for players across platforms. The good news is that PC players can expect up to 4K resolution with 60 FPS support. On PS5 and Xbox Series X, however, the frame rate is locked to 30 FPS (while Xbox Series S runs in 1440p). On the bright side, at least all of those versions get HDR support in a future update, unlike the Switch 2 version, which also runs 1080p/30 FPS across the board.

PS5 Pro Enhanced-ish

A quick look at Fatal Frame 2 Remake’s PlayStation Store page confirms that the title is indeed PS5 Pro Enhanced. So what’s the problem? It’s also locked to 30 FPS, just like the regular PS5 version. The publisher has specified that the frame rate is “capped at 30 FPS during cutscenes, and may temporarily drop depending on gameplay conditions,” so maybe the PS5 Pro suffers less fluctuations. Either way, not having 4K/60 FPS gameplay like the PC version is kind of a letdown.

PC Requirements

Speaking of PC players, you’ll need Windows 11 (64-bit) to run the title and 30 GB of space on an SSD, regardless of everything else. Minimum requirements include Intel Core i5-8400, AMD Ryzen 5 3400G or higher, 16 GB of RAM and a GeForce RTX 1050 Ti 4GB, Radeon R9 380X 4GB or something better. This will be enough to deliver 1280×720 gameplay at 30 FPS with the “Best Performance” preset. Recommended requirements include a Core i7-8700, Ryzen 5 3600XT or higher, 16 GB of RAM, and an RTX 2060 6GB, Radeon RX 5700 XT 8GB or higher, which delivers 1920×1080 gameplay at 30 FPS with the “Standard” preset.

Free Demo

Obviously, there are going to be some concerns about the remake running on your system. A free demo will go live for all platforms on March 5th, so that should help in testing things out (and seeing if you enjoy the changes). Progress carries over to the full game as well, allowing you to pick up where you left off.

Silent Hill f Collaboration

Extra costumes are nothing new for the series, but the remake marks the first collaboration with Konami’s Silent Hill f. This will be in the form of free costumes available in the future (with more details to come). Outfits that resemble Hinako and Rinko, perhaps? Time will tell.

Along with the demo, the companies have also announced that Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake will feature a collaboration with Konami’s most recent horror title Silent Hill f. This collaboration will include new costumes for the twin sister protagonists in Fatal Frame 2—Mio and Mayu Amakura—to make their appearances similar to that of Silent Hill f protagonist Hinako Shimizu.

The trailer includes a gameplay rundown with players controlling Mio and exploring a haunted village armed with little more than the Camera Obscura. Using this, players can identify and take on ghosts. Throughout their time in Minakami village, players will take photos using special film that seals vengeful spirits. Filters can be applied to these photos to exploit spirits with glaring weaknesses.

An example of one of these Special Shots is “Blinding”, which temporarily blinds the hostile spirit, giving Mio some time to plan out either her next attack or a means of escape. The “Purging” Special Shot, on the other hand, allows Mio to use some of her own willpower to deal more damage to strong spirits.

Capping things off, the trailer also features a brand new ending theme song—”Utsushi” by Tsuki Amano— and some new side stories and locations that players will get to encounter.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is coming to PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 on March 12. The release date was announced back in November with a trailer showcasing how the haunted village and the vengeful spirits have been remade for new hardware and an entirely new generation of players.

Along with the brand new visuals and audio, Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake will feature modernised gameplay over the 2003 PS2-era horror classic. Among the new gameplay mechanics introduced with the remake is “Holding Hands With Mayu”, which allows players to experience the sisterly bond between them with a brand new perspective. As the more recent trailer shows, using the new feature allows Mio to recover from damage she might have taken in previous encounters with spirits.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake was announced all the way back in September. While little was revealed about the title aside from the Holding Hands mechanic and an “early 2026” release window, more information about its improved gameplay would eventually be released with another trailer featuring director Makoto Shibata.

Mouse: PI for Hire

If you ever played Cuphead and ever wanted a rubberhose animation-style first-person shooter, Mouse: PI for Hire may very well be it. Set in Mouseburg (naturally), you control PI Jack Pepper as he exposes a deep-rooted conspiracy. With a wide variety of weapons, including chainsaws and freeze, it’s looking to be a real swell time when it launches on March 19th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC.

007 First Light

Few 007 titles and media have ever explored the origins of the superspy, but IO Interactive is going about it the right way. With a mix of classic gadgets, gorgeous sandboxes that encourage creative solutions, and a more impulsive James Bond, 007 First Light has all the tools to provide a fantastic action-adventure. It’s out on March 27th for current-gen consoles and PC.

No Law

From isometric cyberpunk twin-stick shooting to, well, first-person cyberpunk shooting, Neon Giant’s next game is certainly unexpected. Set in Port Desire, a more condensed open world, it’s a non-linear story about Grey Harker and his past mistakes returning to haunt him. How you solve those dilemmas is completely up to you, which is music to my Dishonored-loving ears. Here’s hoping the execution in No Law is as brilliant.

Phantom Blade Zero

Of course, you can’t have just one John Wick-esque journey. Cue S-Game’s Phantom Blade Zero, whose protagonist faces off against numerous assassins while clinging to life. While focusing more on fast-paced combat with multiple weapon types and brutal enemies, the world is littered with secrets, to the extent that you might not see everything on the first playthrough. Style and substance should be a winning formula indeed when it launches on September 9th for PS5 and PC.

Control Resonant

Remedy kind of spoiled us on the sequel, venturing beyond the confines of The Oldest House into something much bigger, but none of us expected a sequel like this. Battling through the streets and skies of Manhattan as Dylan, Jesse’s brother, wielding dual blades and heavy weapons alongside telekinesis and other powers – it feels almost like a dark fantasy, albeit through a paranatural lens. Control Resonant will hopefully channel that into something more, and we can’t wait to see the studio’s creativity truly unleashed.

The Sinking City 2

Frogwares’ return to the flooded city of Arkham, tackling eldritch horrors and attempting to survive with our sanity intact, is one that we’ve been waiting a long time for. The original showed promise, but The Sinking City 2 looks to expand on that, both graphically and in terms of far-reaching consequences. And let’s be honest – with Cthulhu, who doesn’t want to see how badly things can go? With a release sometime in the first half of 2026, it’s not long now.

Nioh 3

Be Tokugawa Takechiyo. Be next in line to become shogun, until your power-hungry sibling can’t take it, embroiling Japan in a massive Crucible. Venture back in time to various eras, even the Bakumatsu, for the first time in the series, and attempt to set things right. All in a day’s work for those who stand against the Yokai and with a massive scale, new weapons, revamped exploration, and more, Nioh 3 could be Team Ninja’s best yet (at least it seems to think so). Launching on February 6th for PS5 and PC, we’ll find out for ourselves soon enough.

Order of the Sinking Star

Braid Anniversary Edition may have underwhelmed commercially, but Jonathan Blow is back at it again, this time venturing back to the puzzling well. Much like The Witness, you’ll solve numerous puzzles, but spread across four worlds with various characters that intertwine in intriguing ways. With over 1000 in total, the Order of the Sinking Star is beyond ambitious and could serve as another instant classic.

Gears of War: E-Day

After what feels like years of being left on the hook, Gears of War returns with a familiar duo – Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago. No, we haven’t fallen into an alternative universe – instead, it’s a prequel, set during the Emergence War right as it began. If you’ve ever sought a return to a more linear campaign, then E-Day may very well fuel that desire and even cater to those who enjoyed the first game’s horror. We’re certainly ready to learn more.

Halo: Campaign Evolved

Master Chief is back in yet another revisitation of the first-person shooter that started it all. Skepticism aside, there’s plenty of reason to be excited, from the inclusion of later-game weapons to the addition of four-player co-op. And if sprint isn’t your cup of tea, just switch it off. Combine all this with the new prologue missions and cross-play, and Campaign Evolved could be the clean slate that the series needs.

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf

After everything that happened in the first game, you would think that Lana and Mui are due for a break. For better or worse, the sequel sees the duo delving deeper into Novo, unearthing new abilities and secrets while contending with a mysterious new threat. As an evolution of the original’s environmental storytelling and platforming, Planet of Lana 2 feels like a significant leap in every way.

The Blood of Dawnwalker

When vampires take over Vale Sangora, enslaving the local population, Coen is left with 30 days to save his family. As a half-vampire, however, he’s afforded some unique advantages, harnessing magic as a human by day and incredible strength as a vampire by night. Which affords more advantages, depending on the situation? What route will you take to dismantle the vampire’s hierarchy? The choice is yours, though care is necessary when deciding when to advance time. The Blood of Dawnwalker still doesn’t have a release date, but it’s out in 2026 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake

At long last, Koei Tecmo is remaking perhaps the best game in the Fatal Frame series – Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly. Releasing on March 12th, it offers more than just revamped visuals. There are new areas, side stories, Camera Obscura features, and even the “Holding Hands with Mayu” mechanic, which surely won’t be required for a brand new ending. Surely.

Pragmata

Fighting killer robots is tough enough when your bullets won’t even penetrate their armor – try doing it while simultaneously hacking their defenses. As unwieldy as that sounds, Pragmata just feels right, as Hugh teams with the android Diana to navigate a hostile Lunar base. The developer has remained tight-lipped on many things, but thus far, its gameplay loop has proven compelling in its own right. With a launch finally set for April 30th, we’ll see if it can carry the entire gorgeous experience.

Resident Evil Requiem

A requiem for the dead. An examination of the truth behind the Racoon City Incident. Old faces and new, working together to survive a new nightmare. If previous Resident Evil games felt like a big deal, then Requiem seems like the end of an era. That said, with a choice between first and third perspectives, the intertwining of survival and action horror, and more, it’s going to be one that fans never forget upon launching on February 27th.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Meanwhile, another long-running IP gets a new lease on life. Onimusha: Way of the Sword is straightforward enough – traverse Kyoto, cut down the Genma, and don’t die. But it’s from the perspective of the legendary Miyamoto Musashi, who’s armed with an Oni Gauntlet and must contend with his rival Sasaki Ganryu. Based on gameplay thus far, it’s shaping up into an incredible action-adventure – now all we need is a release date.

Saros

Minor delays aside, Housemarque’s next title is shaping up to be a dark horse just like Returnal. I’ve always sought a deeper challenge in this third-person shooter/bullet hell framework, and by leaning more into rogue-lite mechanics and progression, Saros looks even more enticing. Not to discount the bosses and other challenges, of course – if the story ends with fighting an actual eclipse, then it’s worth the price of admission.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

The Wings of Theve will fly once more, as players return to the world of Strangereal to liberate the Federation of Usea. Promising the same epic campaign as its predecessors, Ace Combat 8 features stunning visuals and high-octane aerial combat when it releases later this year.

Styx Blades of Greed

The Green Plague returns, this time to pull off the heist – or heists – to end all heists. Working with the Black Hand in his own zeppelin, Styx utilizes the power of Quartz to manipulate space and time to his benefit. There are three massive environments to explore, each unlocking new areas as you gain more tools, and overall, it looks like a major step up from Shards of Darkness.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

Speaking of returns, the legendary Lara Croft once again enters the action-adventure spotlight with Legacy of Atlantis, a Unreal Engine 5 reimagining of the original. Between all the familiar areas (and dinos), it also offers modernized gameplay and revamped controls, but Crystal Dynamics is keen on respecting the original’s legacy, which should be good news for purists.

Ontos

Count on Frictional Games to deliver a horror experience that’s completely unlike anything else out there. As a spiritual successor to the similarly mind-bending Soma, Ontos takes place in a moon hotel, where you partake in experiments as Aditi to find her father. Reality, for all intents and purposes, isn’t what it seems and who knows what secrets this labyrinth holds (which only makes it all the more enticing).

Fable

With the next Xbox Developer_Direct due in January, there’s no time like the fast-approaching present for Playground Games to showcase Fable. And not just a cute trailer with celebrities or a modern interpretation of a classic story – we’re talking raw gameplay. Considering the pedigree of those involved, Fable could live up to its lofty aspirations, but for now, we need to see more, especially when it’s out in 2026.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Say what you will about Gotham City, but the legend of Batman, as he fights crime and struggles with his morality, remains as timeless as ever. Of course, TT Games is going for a more lighthearted touch with its sequel, packing in humor galore while still paying homage to the Batman’s legacy. With multiple playable characters and a massive playground, Legacy of the Dark Knight is shaping up to be an incredible tribute when it launches on May 29th.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

A catastrophe in a fantastical world that somehow involves a Rathalos – where have we heard this before? Beyond the promise of an epic adventure, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is also venturing into new directions with raising monsties. You can now fight off invasive monsters, retrieve endangered eggs, hatch them and reintroduce them into the wild to restore a habitat. Which is a nice ecological message, but it also nets a sick fire-wielding Zinogre, among other mutations, and that’s what really matters.

Beast of Reincarnation

A triple-A game from Game Freak, known for the Pokémon series, sounds…odd, if nothing else. It involves a human named Emma and her dog Koo working together to save humanity in a post-apocalyptic future. Between majestic creatures, bizarre enemies, a beautiful depiction of Japan’s wilderness and extensive violence, you have to wonder whether this is the same developer. Regardless, it should be worth the wait.

Marvel’s Wolverine

When talking about violence – and lots of it – Insomniac speaks to us on a primal level with Marvel’s Wolverine. Every aspect of that berserker fantasy is preserved in this original story, as Logan seeks the key to his past, even if he might not like the answers. There’s more to learn, but really, we’re way past sold based on the dismemberment alone.

Grand Theft Auto 6

By now, we’ve covered the sheer agony of delays that Rockstar’s sequel has inspired, not to mention everything we’d like to see. The crazy thing is that despite the hype and every detail in its last trailer, it still feels we haven’t truly seen the core of Grand Theft Auto 6, much less its gameplay. With a release date of November 19th, which hopefully won’t change any time soon, there’s plenty of time to learn more. Let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later.

Ikuma – The Frozen Compass

From Lost Ember developer Mooneye Studios comes a new adventure about survival in the Arctic. As Sam and his dog Ellie, you’ll traverse the harsh environment, climbing and foraging for resources to survive while seeking a way back home, even as something strange lurks beyond the ice and snow. Beyond the gorgeous aesthetic, Ikuma – The Frozen Compass could be a uniquely emotional journey.

Cairn

If you’re looking for a different but still harrowing survival narrative experience, look no further than Cairn. The Game Bakers’ latest focuses on Aava, who seeks to scale Mount Kami, perhaps becoming the first to ever do it. While the path is littered with good intentions, it’s also fraught with danger (and that’s before you decide to try and climb at night). Still, with the ability to climb anywhere and find your own path, Cairn isn’t messing around and could end up as the premier climbing title.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties

The Yakuza series is no stranger to deep side activities that will occupy you for hours. So how about managing an orphanage, participating in unique bonding events, and even raising your Daddy Rank (seriously)? If that sounds a little too cutesy, don’t worry – Yoshitaka Mine’s story, as told through Dark Ties, offers Kanda Damage Control, where you fulfil requests, complete challenges (including combat), and ascend past the ranks of trash. Between all this and their deeply involving narratives, there’s little reason not to delve into Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties when it launches on February 12th.

Code Vein 2

What’s the end of the world between blood-sucking, dungeon-crawling, and friends? Unlike the first game, Code Vein 2 is about hopping through time, meeting various important figures, and hopefully stopping the apocalypse. The lack of online co-op is a bummer, but at least the robust character creator is back, while build variety is freer than ever. With bigger foes, bosses, and stakes, Code Vein 2 should offer a more impactful experience when it launches on January 30th.

Gothic 1 Remake

The original “Explore a Eurojank world without any hand-holding and try to survive”, but this time with improved visuals. Everything about the original remains unchanged; however, as you navigate the Colony in whatever manner you wish. Choose a faction, become a hero, interact with NPCs – whatever you desire across a 50-hour journey when Gothic 1 Remake launches in Q1 2026.

Valor Mortis

“All men must die”, says Valar Morghulis, but not you. Instead, Ghostrunner developer One More Level wants you to show courage in the face of death, especially after you’ve been brought back to life and must battle against plague-ridden foes. As a first-person Souls-like with responsive melee combat, Valor Mortis is shaping up pretty well, and we can’t wait to see how far the horror-filled rabbit hole goes.

Decrepit

Of course, if you want something even darker, there’s Decrepit, which offers an even simpler goal: Escape a castle teeming with danger. There’s a rogue-lite loop where getting caught means starting over, but beyond the Souls-like combat, the emphasis is on learning more about the world, uncovering secrets like permanent upgrades, harnessing equipment to suit your playstyle, and so on. It’s intriguing, and complements Valor Mortis in several ways.

Forza Horizon 6

If the millions and millions of players throughout the years didn’t clue you in, this franchise is unstoppable, and Forza Horizon 6 could be the best yet. New cars and a bigger map, spreading from Tokyo to the area around Mt Fuji, is a given, but Playground cramming it with activities to make it the “most full” yet is intriguing. With rumors claiming a release in the first half of 2026, Xbox Series X/S and PC won’t have to wait long to go hands-on.