Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo have announced the release date for the second installment of Fatal Frame, and based on what we’ve seen so far, the remake looks promising.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a complete reimagining of the second game in the Fatal Frame (Project Zero) series, which was first released in 2003. The game has been completely overhauled to provide an even more haunting experience thanks to enhanced graphics, sound, and controls. The graphical enhancements provide a higher level of detail, including refined textures and striking lighting and shadow contrast. These enhancements generate a more haunting and realistic atmosphere than ever before. The sound has been revamped to provide spatial audio, which will immerse players in the action and allow them to enjoy a more authentic experience. Players will not only hear and feel the presence of spirits more intensely, but also experience unexpected attacks, such as spirits grabbing the protagonist’s hands while reaching for an item or lurking in the shadows. Players must react quickly to avoid these attacks. Failure to do so will result in Willpower Damage, leading directly to intense combat.

The Camera Obscura gameplay mechanics, a signature feature of the Fatal Frame franchise, have been reworked to provide a richer, more intense experience during combat and exploration. Players can still attack wraiths by taking photos, but aligning the focus point with the target inflicts more damage. If the damage dealt exceeds a certain threshold, players can activate the Shutter Chance state. In this state, players can deal significant damage with a single picture within a brief period, so it’s crucial for fans to be precise and time their shots perfectly. Players can trigger a Fatal Frame by taking a shot at the perfect moment, which interrupts and stuns their opponent. Triggering a Fatal Frame during a Shutter Chance state activates a Fatal Time, a limited window that allows players to take several shots in quick succession to inflict significant damage.

To confront the spirits lurking in the shadows of Minakami Village, players can rely on new Camera Obscura features, such as focus, zoom, and filters. Lighting up the focus points on the screen allows players to focus on their target, dealing more damage to spirits if more focus points are lit. Using the zoom feature allows players to attack a spirit from a distance while staying undetected. They can also attack multiple targets at once by zooming out. The Camera Obscura’s zoom will also help players during exploration, allowing them to photograph specific objects. Lastly, players can use filters to unravel the mysteries around them by changing them depending on the situation or wraith they encounter. One of the filters, the Paraceptual Filter, increases shooting distance in combat and allows players to reproduce past actions using residual memories while exploring.

In addition to these new mechanics, the remake of Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly will introduce new gameplay features. For example, players will be able to hold Mayu’s hand to recover Health and Willpower. However, if Mayu is in danger, she may stumble and fall, requiring Mio’s help to get back up. Players can also collect charms to equip and benefit from various effects. Expanding the Charm Bag increases the number of charms that can be equipped.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake will be released on March 12 for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC for €/$50. A disc version will be available for consoles, but the Nintendo Switch 2 version will be a game key card (meaning the full game will not be on the cartridge). The Digital Deluxe version, priced at €65, includes the base game, a digital soundtrack, an art book, and a few in-game items: the Deluxe Charm, black and white lace gloves, and right and left Japanese gothic wings. Those who pre-order will receive the Wraith Charm, red and blue Peony Hair Ornaments, and a red and black kimono. Those who pre-order will receive the Spirit Charm, black-and-white cat ears, and Mayu’s and Mio’s Crimson Butterfly.

Source: Gematsu