I’m so happy to be checking out the remake for Fatal Frame 2. Personally, I think it was the best of the franchise after going through them a while back. The game brings with it better visuals and new story content. And, from what I have heard, a new ending. If you never had the chance to play the original version then this might be your best chance. Who know? It is available on PS5 for £44.99, with a Deluxe version also up for grabs. With that edition, you will get some outfits for the twins, a charm, soundtrack, and art book. Which will cost you £52.99. Or here me out now, try the demo before you buy. Apparently your save carries over too.
These frames, ain’t fatal.
Gameplay
For those checking out the Fatal Frame franchise, you don’t need to worry about missing anything with the Fatal Frame 2 Remake since it is a self-contained story. The game story revolves around the twins Mio and Mayu, with us playing as Mio. It does not provide much a set-up since Mio chases after Mayu, and both end up on a cliff overlooking a ruined village. After a brief exploration of the first house they see, the player quickly obtains the Camera Obscura. A special camera that lets the player capture/defeat ghosts. With it, you can deal damage to ghosts by aiming it at a wraith and fitting in other elements in the same shot (the game does not elaborate on this). Originally, in the previous version, the longer you aimed the camera would charge and gain a little more power.
Other new features are the filters. Where it was new camera functions, like slow, the filters provide new filter modes. For example, the filter Exposure allows the player to uncover things that weren’t originally there. Additionally, each mode has a special function, when upgraded. With the most useful being for the player to see the ghost through walls. All special functions need the new Willpower mechanic to work. This is a little annoying due to willpower being easily wiped by ghosts. Dodging, and running during combat also drains willpower.
Changes to Mayu, and upgrades.
Originally the player would assume control of Mayu at specific times, when needed for the plot. Now, she is mostly autonomous, besides the new hand holding you are able to do. This will heal Mio quickly, instead of relying on an item. However, this does not last for long due to story reasons in Fatal Frame 2. The hand holding is great, since Mayu was so slow thanks to her limp, and the player has to constantly wait for her. But now, she runs at the same pace as you.
Another change they have down in Fatal Frame 2, is for the camera upgrades. The beads are still there, but now you need multiple beads for a single improvement. Whereas the original only needed one bead and some points you earned via beating ghosts. You can still earn points; they are now used for the shop where the player saves their game. Like I said, you earn points by beating ghosts, but earn more points with better photos taken. More items will become available by finding two dolls in the village, and taking a photo of them.
Aggravated ghosts.
One of the more interesting new mechanics that Fatal Frame 2 brings, is to the ghosts themselves. When they start to get low on health there is a chance for them to enter an aggravated state. While in this mode, the ghosts heal a large portion of health, and take significantly less damage from your camera. Some ghosts gain new attacks, but thankfully the dodging is fairly decent.
Graphics & Audio
There’s a lot to take in with Fatal Frame 2. Starting with what’s good; the environment textures are superb, and one thing I noticed with remakes of old horror games is they tend to lose their grunginess when going through the modern lens. While areas are more well-lit and a bit more polished, the dilapidation still remains, and a good amount of the grunge has stayed. The physics of the twins’ hair and clothing is also quite impressive. However, I do feel that the character models for both the twins and the ghosts have fallen victim to that ‘modern polish’. While the twin’s designs are great, they look a little too porcelain, almost doll-like, and look slightly out of place to me. Since you mainly see them from the back, it may be less noticeable. But whenever you see their faces, it’s quite noticeable to me. Most notably in cutscenes; their faces are quite expressionless and don’t move very much. There’s a particular time when Mio is shouting and screaming in fear, and while her voice actress is belting out these lines, her face remains almost static, with only eyes and eyebrows showing some expression.
The ghosts suffer the same fate. Some of them are decent, but most of them look too squeaky clean and polished. The audio has upped the ante for sure, with so many noticeable little effects, such as the transitions of walking onto different types of flooring. The same goes for the ambience; There’s a low rumble of atmosphere always in the background with slight bells here and there, and it’s excellent for delivering the ambience. And when outside, there’s a subtle buzz of insects with mysterious rustling unseen in the grass. However, particularly in combat, I noticed this very sharp, very high, whining noise. It got very irritating and almost painful for a while, and I’m relieved I hadn’t worn earphones at the time.
Longevity
I finally beat all 9 chapters after 20 hours. Most of my time spent in Fatal Frame 2 was exploring the same areas over and over, thanks to the new side stories they did with notes. These add a lot of content and expand on what the original game already had. Thanks to this, we get to understand more about some of the side character in the game. Also, from when I checked the trophy list for Fatal Frame 2, it offers six endings. After beating the game, new game plus becomes available and once started more content will be open to you, as well as nightmare mode.
Final Thoughts
The first few hours of Fatal Frame 2 will most likely ruin it for most players. Since the aggravated ghosts really do take the mick, and the game spams ghosts a lot. Thanks to this they seemed to have dropped the suspense, and horror side of things as well. But after you reach I would say midway through chapter four, Fatal Frame 2 becomes rather trivial. Mainly due to the game spawning a lot more prayer beads for the player. I’ve enjoyed the new camera mechanics and additional side content, however. It does become boring and stale with just mindlessly running around fighting the same few ghosts. There aren’t as many puzzles as I thought there would be.
Damage never seems exact as well, when ever I would take a photo with various film types, and basically have the wraith in my face, the damage output just never stayed consistent. One shot would do a lot, another barely anything, and that is before aggro. This was my main problem during the first four chapters of the game which is rather bad since there 9 in total. You realize just how bad it is when it comes to the first encounter with the boss fight, with the lady on the bridge for the first time.
Some of the new mechanics they did bring are excellent. Like being able to have Mayu run at the same pace, dodging, and moving while holding the camera. I just think the game will heavily divide players for sure. Fatal Frame 2 Remake, is a lovely looking game, but obnoxiously difficult on normal for the beginning. I would hate to see what nightmare mode is like. So personally from me, after beating it, and reaching the midway point of the game.
I did end up enjoying Fatal Frame 2, So it is getting the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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