Title: FF 2: Crimson Butterfly Director's Cut Review
Ayane - October 18, 2004 08:39 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Director's Cut Review By: Brent Soboleski - "Shockwave" Oct. 15th, 2004 Tecmo may have already released Fatal Frame II on the PS2 a year ago, but the Xbox version, a Director’s Cut release, offers players even more frightening psychological shock than before. Project Zero wasn’t about to simply port over a mish-mashed version of there game. Instead, the development team went back and added a handful of exclusive features, including a very cool first-person camera mode, that are sure to give Xbox players more than enough reasons to turn out the lights and enjoy some Japanese style terror. Make no mistake though, Fatal Frame II is not designed as a survival horror title similar to Resident Evil or even Silent Hill. Rather, producer Keisuke Kikuchi has put together a well laid out and slower paced mental thriller that relies on the anticipation of what lies ahead and the uneasy feeling created by things that can’t be seen. Story The original Fatal Frame introduced players to the twin sisters Mayu and Mio Amakura; a pair of Japanese girls who seem to posses some type of psychic powers that keep them in tune with unexplained supernatural spirits. The follow-up title is a look back into the earlier years of the girls’ lives; 30 years to be exact. As young girls embark on a visit to a small village, things begin to get a little weird as Mayu becomes strangely attracted to a crimson colored butterfly she spots within the forest around the village. Without waiting for Mio, Mayu runs off to chase the butterfly that seems to have her under some kind of mysterious spell. Mio follows her sister, calling for her to respond, but she is too focused on the butterfly to pay attention. A short while later, the butterfly leads the girls into a deserted village called “All God’s Village”. A short cut-scene shows players a look at a bizarre Japanese ritual that took place in the village some time ago. Without really giving much of a story and more of a glimpse at some strange event that seems to have led to the disappearance of the town’s inhabitants, the cut-scene ends and players are brought back to the current situation regarding the girls and the red colored butterfly.  Foreshadowing trouble ahead. After spending a bit of time checking things out in the village, the two stumble across a camera that has the odd ability to free trapped souls from the bounds keeping them confined between worlds. Armed with this “weapon” the girls have a way to repel the spirits that begin to show up around the village, all while providing the girls small clues as to the events that took place in the village. It isn’t long before the girls reveal that one of the rituals of the village involved the sacrifice of twins. How convenient, right? By the time Mayu and Mio have the slightest idea of what’s happening, they are already unable to turn back as they have put the wheels in motion and stirred up an ancient curse forcing them to relive the night that caused darkness to fall over the entire village. Gameplay Players will primarily control Mio as she follows her sister who’s become entranced by the butterfly and will eventually fall deeper under the village’s mysterious spell. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Director’s Cut is a slow paced thriller that builds up a player’s level of anticipation and unleashes quick peeks at the chilling and disturbing story behind the game’s action. While some may think a slower pace makes for a dull game, think again. This is a game about mental anguish through suspense rather than traditional horror and monsters attacking a player. Tecmo’s creative style of mixing up the pieces of the story and giving them to players out of order really does a great job of keeping players guessing while also ensuring that there will be plenty of plot twists that will jolt players out of their seats. At some points, the story becomes somewhat confusing and there are times that it’s difficult to comprehend what to do next or exactly what the best course of action would be. Still, this is part of experiencing the disorder the twin girls face in their path through the village. Another design style that helps to prevent players from becoming completely lost is the way in which the gameplay is somewhat restricted; not providing a total free roaming experience. While players are given freedom to explore an area or a building they happen to be in, they will often be restricted from going beyond a general area of action by locked doors or other road blocks that fit into the story nicely. This keeps players on a relatively linear path that doesn’t feel overly constrictive while also taking some of the confusion off the shoulders of players who might otherwise be totally lost. The progression from area to area usually involves finding a key or releasing a spirit that prevents the girls from continuing onward. Sometimes this gameplay pattern does repeat itself, but Tecmo has attempted to mix in a variety of puzzles that must be solved to open up new areas or parts of the story. The main tool of gameplay will be the camera obscura, which serves as the weapon that allows the girls to dispatch ghosts as well as give them a look at hidden secrets and objects they may be unable to see otherwise. Using the camera is pretty straightforward, and players will also be scored on the precision of their photo taking ability. To make sure we are all on the same page here, let’s go over the details of using the camera. When players come within contact of a ghost, a filament that works like a ghost gauge will react when a specter is directly in front of Mio. There is usually some type of eerie sound effect that is easily noticed when a ghost is in the area, and sometimes Mayu will also react by saying something about a detected presence. With the tap of a button, the view will change to that of the camera’s viewfinders that players can move around. Players are also still able to walk forward and back while moving the camera’s position. As players are able to frame an apparition within the camera’s lens, the Ghost Wave gauge will light up. This is basically what determines the score given for a photo taken. The distance and direction the ghost is facing will factor into the score. So a ghost that’s facing away and on the other side of the room will result in a lower score than a photo taken of a ghost looking directly at Mayu within an arms length away. However, closeness also increases the danger level so players will have to balance safety and high scores accordingly. Throughout the game, there are also upgrades that can be applied to the camera to increase its power. Some ghosts may require a few photos taken before they disappear, so stronger film helps, and more powerful lenses will have a greater distance at which they can operate and so forth. The process of snapping photos to dispose of ghosts is actually more exciting, and thrilling than players might expect. Ghosts often pop out of nowhere, and the accompanying music change is enough to get the blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing. Some of the ghosts do however, follow apparent patterns of movement that are sometimes pretty predictable, but the intensity of the gameplay helps mask this most of the time. The ghosts early on in the game, mainly float around and do little to really attack the girls, but as things go on, the ghosts become much more offensive as the girls uncover their role within the story and their relationship to these spirits. Exclusive Gameplay Modes: In the extra time it took to bring Fatal Frame II to the Xbox, Tecmo has gone and added a couple exclusive gameplay features that really help give Xbox players an entirely new perspective on things. For starters, players can choose the play the game through the newly created first-person mode, which really peaks the level of fright that limits a player’s peripheral vision. This makes the game’s sound effects, which are scary enough, a major factor in getting Mio’s bearings instead of vision. The first-person mode also gives players a great look at what’s directly in front of them, with a greater level of detail than the third-person view can provide, but they will have to react quickly in order to see what’s happening around them. Tecmo has included this new perspective to offer players a more realistic vantage on the gameplay that does its job to make the game even scarier to play, particularly in the middle of the night with the lights off. This mode is a cool option that players may or may not decide to try out. For those who play through the game in the third-person mode, it’s a great reason to play through a second time, experiencing the game from the alternative view. Giving more support to the “Director’s Cut” title, Tecmo has also included a very challenging survival mode that gives action oriented players more of a fix for their gameplay needs. In survival mode, players are challenged to completely avoid contact with ghosts. As if that wouldn’t be hard enough, there are also a larger number of ghouls that will chase the girls around and they are noticeably more aggressive than in the default mode. Just to make things even more difficult, players will race the clock, which is keeping track of the time spent playing through the game in survival mode. Higher scores will be given for achieving the goals faster. In this mode, players will definitely face a much more difficult challenge than the standard mode of Fatal Frame II, and only the most skilled players will find themselves working their way to the very end without fail. The average player may find this mode too much, and become more frustrated by it than those who relish impossible odds stacked against them. Overall Gameplay Impressions: From the opening scene of the game, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Director’s Cut takes players by the head and rattles their brains from side to side in a psychological suspense thriller that never lets up until after the final credits roll. I personally get much more into the gameplay as a result of the slower paced action that draws me in as I meticulously explore each area of the game. Some may prefer emptying clips of ammo at monsters while turning every corner, but I love the drama involved with anticipation of what lies ahead and the shock that comes when something unexpected occurs. Tecmo has succeeded at creating a highly cinematic experience that presents players with rather bizarre peaks at the big picture surrounding the events taking place in All God’s Village. Anyone who has seen a movie like The Ring has a good idea of the type of distorted and disturbing visuals that can create even more terror in a viewer’s mind than graphic violence and gore.  He's big, he's purple and he's mean. The gameplay mechanics involved with taking snapshots of ghosts rather than shooting monsters with guns also gives players a refreshing way of eliminating enemies that you won’t find in other games related to this genre. It’s a nice change of pace that helps separate a game like Fatal Frame from the others in the crowd. The only downfall that skilled players may find is a lack of a true challenge, besides the additional survival mode. Most of the game revolves around exploring every possible room or area Mio can get to and taking photos of anything that shows up along the way. There are a few adjustable difficulty levels as well, but the overall game isn’t too difficult to complete. Completing the game should take most players between 10 and 15 hours the first time through. While this may be short, the game is still a great time because of the story and the terror involved with the presentation. The dark twisted atmosphere is where the real beauty of Fatal Frame comes through. It’s almost like taking part in a movie you watch as much as play, giving fans of horror/thrillers a cinematic environment to explore. Graphics The gameplay isn’t the only aspect of Fatal Frame II that got a nice upgrade as Tecmo has stepped up the visual prowess of the game for the Xbox. Visually, Crimson Butterfly Director’s Cut is very artistic and creative with a very heavily reliance on disturbing images that create an uneasy feeling deep in a players stomach as well as their minds. The animated cut-scenes are fantastic and probably the best part of the game, but there are plenty of detailed places to explore during the actual gameplay. The Xbox version sports more vivid and detailed textures as well as some very dynamic lighting effects that add to the overall creepiness of the game. There are some areas that are less impressive than others, such as dim light hallways with nothing to really look at or do, but these areas serve more as a passage way between the main areas rather than places to do anything in particular. However, they do seem to break things up which might bug some players who nitpick over consistency. Players can also unlock additional costumes and accessories the girls can wear during the game. Who doesn’t want to see two young Japanese girls run around in bikinis? What exactly would cause these girls, caught up in a highly dramatic thriller, to change into a set of bikinis is beyond me, but who cares? Audio Fatal Frame II’s sound plays a major role in the gameplay, so you know Tecmo put a lot of effort into making sure players are equally as shocked by the visuals as they are the spooky sound effects. Thanks to full 5.1 surround sound support, players can put themselves right in the middle of the frightening action taking place. Everything from the mutter of the ghosts that show up during the game to the voice acting of the living characters is very well done. This is of course a Japanese title, so much of the actual spoken dialog is very pronounced and precise. Sometimes there seems be to be less emotion than necessary in exchange for focus on pronunciation over feelings. This is a common factor when Japanese developers create English based videogames, but Project Zero has done a good job of keeping the cheese on the side, so players won’t find themselves laughing when they should be scared out of their wits. Most notable are the ghosts and their chatter, which is capable of chilling a player to the bones. Most of the time, players won’t be able to see the ghost, but they will certainly hear them, and the closer a player gets, the louder and more defined the ghost chatter becomes. The tension builds up as the sweat begins to build up in a player’s hands. The Bottom Line Fans of the original Fatal Frame, as well as anyone who checked out the PS2 version of the sequel, will want to get their hands on a copy of Crimson Butterfly Director’s Cut for its raw horror approach rather than blood and guns. Newcomers to the series can also easily appreciate Fatal Frame II since it takes place 30 years prior to the original. Not much of the story relies on the original, but fans of the first will get a little bit more detail behind the girls’ past and the events that led up to the original game. Either way, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Director’s Cut is a great pickup for anyone who enjoys the horror/survival genre but is finding the majority of the recent releases too repetitive. Tecmo offers fans a creative twist that they insist doesn’t even belong in the genre all together. Sure, there are a few issues that keep the game from going over the top, such as the relative ease of solving the game’s puzzles, but the dark and gritty atmosphere is where the game’s drama takes place. We can only hope for more of the same creative style in future games that will continue to offers players an alternative to the violent and bullet ridden titles that fill the action/horror genre. Gameplay: 8.2 Solid controls that are mainly the same as the first time around with some minor tweaks here and there. An improved camera that does a better job of following the action in third-person view. Additional gameplay modes offered exclusively for the Xbox are great. The slow pace of things may drive the action oriented fans out there nuts, but others may particularly enjoy the story driven gameplay over firing weapons and refilling health at a fierce pace. Graphics: 8.8 The games visuals are very well done and do a fantastic job of creating a scary atmosphere. The game is noticeably more detailed than the PS2 version. The cinematics are the strongpoint of the game, which is very story driven. Some of the village’s areas are less detailed than others and sometimes this does break up the game’s consistency. Audio 9.2 Playing this game at night is a sure fire way to ensure that player’s will jump out of their seats. The ghost sound effects and chatter will haunt players’ minds, and some may even need a night light to go to sleep after player. Games like this are fantastic in surround sound, and you have to experience it to really appreciate it. Longevity 8.0 The game is somewhat short, and there isn’t as much of a challenge to complete the game as some may wish but the addition of the first person mode is a great reason to play through again with a different view on the action. The extra survival mode is also an option that lets skilled players try their abilities at quite a difficult challenge that the average player will find too much to handle. Next-gen 8.3 While Fatal Frame II doesn’t break any new ground or create a new genre of gaming, it does give players a refreshing take on an already popular game type. It also does a great job of creating a unique experience that feels all of its own among the crowd. Overall: 8.5 |
DarkFox101 - October 19, 2004 12:51 AM (GMT)
I want this game... I loved the first one... I want the second!!!
No_Doubt - October 19, 2004 12:58 AM (GMT)
Thanks!
Doatek - October 19, 2004 03:08 AM (GMT)
i bought Fatal frame(Xbox)& FF2CB(PS2), it's really nice.
Tecmo announced that FF2 Crimson butterfly for Xbox will coming soon.
and Xbox var. has a extra costume more than PS2 var.
i saw the screen shot of Xbox crimson butterfly. Mayu and Mio wearing bikini at that dark serious world. why bikini? :(
hhhmmm, i bet project zero team must be inspired something from team ninja. hope FF3 will be able to have bouncing. :D
movie at tecmo's official site:(bikini's NOT included)
http://www.tecmo.co.jp/product/zero2/data/zero_movie.wmv
9.0mb 70 seconds.
Tecmo announced that FF2 Crimson butterfly for Xbox will coming soon.
and Xbox var. has a extra costume more than PS2 var.
i saw the screen shot of Xbox crimson butterfly. Mayu and Mio wearing bikini at that dark serious world. why bikini? :(
hhhmmm, i bet project zero team must be inspired something from team ninja. hope FF3 will be able to have bouncing. :D
movie at tecmo's official site:(bikini's NOT included)
http://www.tecmo.co.jp/product/zero2/data/zero_movie.wmv
9.0mb 70 seconds.
Engraver - October 20, 2004 12:54 PM (GMT)
*Finds himself locked in his own room with blown light bulbs*
Engraver: I want my mummy...WAAAHHH!!!!
This game gonna rock, the first Project Zero already made me nervous to hold mt own camera for a week, i'd love to see what the second one will make me do...lol :hanabi:
Engraver: I want my mummy...WAAAHHH!!!!
This game gonna rock, the first Project Zero already made me nervous to hold mt own camera for a week, i'd love to see what the second one will make me do...lol :hanabi:
DarkFox101 - October 20, 2004 06:22 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Engraver @ Oct 20 2004, 04:54 AM) |
| *Finds himself locked in his own room with blown light bulbs* Engraver: I want my mummy...WAAAHHH!!!! This game gonna rock, the first Project Zero already made me nervous to hold mt own camera for a week, i'd love to see what the second one will make me do...lol :hanabi: |
Do what I did.
1) Switch out all lights, cover windows with covers.
2) Put on Surround Sound and BLAST IT.
3) Play alone. No friends.
4) Beat the game from begining to end.
I did that. It scared... the living... S*** out of me... *Shivers*
Engraver - October 23, 2004 04:26 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (DarkFox101 @ Oct 20 2004, 10:22 AM) | ||
Do what I did. 1) Switch out all lights, cover windows with covers. 2) Put on Surround Sound and BLAST IT. 3) Play alone. No friends. 4) Beat the game from begining to end. I did that. It scared... the living... S*** out of me... *Shivers* |
*Pops up behind DarkFox*
BOO!!!
Thats what i intend to do..... :twisted: