@ElkinFencer10 crap like that is part of the reason why I loathed NoA for the longest time. They shot themselves in the foot big time. I was actually relieved when Reggie announced his retirement as COO of NoA, because that guy did not know what he was doing and I don't get why he was so loved honestly because it was his decisions that led to North American Wii users getting the shaft when it came to several titles and also set the Wii U up for imminent disaster.
Not releasing the Wii version of Fatal Frame 2 in North America was a factor in the reason why the series never really had a chance to take off. Well, that and the outright cancelation of Mask of the Lunar Eclipse's international release as opposed to helping with funding to fix the glitches and ghost list. Had those been fixed? We could've seen an international release of the game. Instead, we got a useless collection of ROMs known as Kirby Dream Collection.
But yeah, I'm not surprised the PAL version sold poorly. It was limited in its availability and while it got solid reviews, people were wondering why a North American release was never planned. Thus, lending itself to the rarity of the game. How Nintendo handled the franchise as a whole while Tecmo-Koei was under contract was awful enough, but how it was handled in North America especially was abysmal.
@EvilSilentFrame oh yes, trust me, I know all about said connection and it isn't subtle either, the revelation is made later on in the game and it involved not one but two of the characters from the first. Adding to that, there was a misnomer about the second game taking place in 1956, a full 30 years before the original. Boy did we feel like fools when that was proven false once the third game in the franchise was released.
I believe both Keisuke Kikuchi and Makoto Shibata had to address this and clarify. What they did was utterly brilliant. The game is both a prequel and a sequel, that's what I love about it. Yes, it tells the tale of the younger years of two key characters from the first game, but the game itself takes place in 1988. A full two years after the original, which takes place in 1986.
Thus, it's simultaneously a prequel and a sequel. Only one other game managed to pull off being both a prequel and a sequel that I know of, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria. It's a mechanic that I've not really seen used in other forms of media, and it's one I'd love to see expanded upon in future installments of the franchise. Provided they get that physical release. I don't do digital, I like owning my media. This is why I decry Lame Key Cards on the Switch 2. I skip games altogether that are restrictive like that.
@EvilSilentFrame right? For me, Lame Key Cards are a bane on me as a Switch 2 owner. I see so many games that look like they could be great but then as soon as it's confirmed they're not proper physical? That kills any buzz I could've had for the title. I've been supporting Marvelous Games née XSEED on Switch 2 because they've been championing proper full game on cart releases. Thanks to this, I've been introduced to Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma and now Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion. All three of them are fantastic games BTW. I also agree about physical on Xbox, fortunately on Playstation it isn't nearly as bad. At least there, you know you're getting the proper game on the disc and installs are usually lightning quick. So that's why I'm hopeful for the PS5 version of this to at least get a proper physical release somewhere and if worse comes to worse? I can import like I did with Maiden of Black Water and Mask of the Lunar Eclipse.
@DeadSpace can confirm, the Fatal Frame series is amazing. They are truly scary games that stick with you long after you're done playing. Also, can attest that both Maiden of Black Water and Mask of the Lunar Eclipse are well worth owning. I imported copies of both games for PS4 and Switch 1 and I have no regrets. They both support English BTW. They're both amazing games with awesome stories that keep you compelled throughout but the second game is a thing of beauty. There's reason why it's hailed as one of the greatest survival horror games of all time. Right up there with Silent Hill 2 even. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. I have a feeling you'll be very pleasantly surprised once the series sinks its hooks into you. It has this surreal ability to pull you in, make you feel like things are completely and utterly hopeless just like the protagonists feel. Yet you also want to keep playing because you want to find out what the hell happens next. I've experienced this with every entry in the franchise. Once you try it, you'll understand why the series, while niche, has so many hardcore fans.
@EvilSilentFrame indeed, though I don't know why, I have a feeling that even if it comes out on a Lame Key Card at first? Another company like Limited Run could step up and strike a deal with them so we get a full game on cart edition. They finally managed a breakthrough with Square Enix, so anything is a possibility now with them. Either way, if my hunches are correct? We'll somehow end up getting a physical edition. Team Ninja is doing one for the PS5 version of Ninja Gaiden IV, which was a pleasant surprise. So I don't rule anything out.
@EvilSilentFrame @Banjo- having the game be available both digitally and physically will help push sales. Provided they give the Switch 2 version a proper physical cart with the full game on it as opposed to a Lame Key Card. Those have been going over like a lead balloon, I'm surprised publishers haven't quite picked up the hint that no collector wants these glorified, reusable download codes in a box. Also, going by the trailer? Oh yes, the game is absolutely going to be dubbed. I also feel that you're right, the Japanese voices will be available too.
@EvilSilentFrame my old roommate helped me mod the Wii I had at the time and we downloaded the ROM so I could play it. Worth the experience, if you thought the Xbox version was awesome? In terms of core gameplay, the Wii version is the definitive way to play the game. It took the fear factor and ratcheted it up tenfold, the British voices grew on me and in some cases they were better than the original. Ryokan actually sounded downright menacing, I was shocked at that. However, there is a drawback in that Mission Mode was replaced with Haunted House Mode, which was just silly in comparison. Hopefully the new remake restores Mission Mode and adds to the gameplay mechanics the Wii version had, though with Team Ninja at the helm? I feel this version is in very good hands either way. I'm still shocked that one of Tecmo-Koei's flagship development teams is handling this though. Never thought I'd see the day.
@Banjo- that is correct, the first game takes place in 1986, the second and third within three months of each other in 1988 and the fourth game being a prequel to the first? That's a misnomer. Apparently the fan translation was riddled with errors regarding the dates. Dr. Asou visited Rougetsu Island in 1909 and witnessed a successful Rougetsu Kagura in September of that year. As the present day was the 1980's, that makes 1979 the most likely year that the failed Rougetsu Kagura took place and thus, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse most likely takes place in 1989.
@Banjo- right, people thought Nintendo bought partial ownership of the entire franchise as a whole. That was proven to be a misnomer. Also, thanks for clarifying. I do feel a physical version will be released somewhere though, possibly on PS5. I'm stoked Team Ninja is handling this, they're one of Tecmo-Koei's flagship development teams. That tells me they have great confidence in the remake selling gangbusters.
@EvilSilentFrame confirmed over the shoulder. This looks to use the Wii version as the base but tweak it to modern standards. I hope they include all six endings the Wii version had.
@ElkinFencer10 I believe what it was, is that Nintendo made a contract with Tecmo-Koei in that they'd fund development of the games in exchange for exclusive rights for X amount of time on Nintendo platforms. I don't believe Nintendo ever had partial ownership of the franchise as a whole though, that was apparently a misnomer. Maiden of Black Water, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse and now this game being multi-platform are cast iron evidence of this.
Also, I'm genuinely shocked to see Team Ninja heading development of this remake. It goes to show that Tecmo-Koei obviously has great confidence in the franchise to hand it off to one of their flagship development teams, the other being Omega Force. If my hunches are correct, this game, like Ninja Gaiden IV, will see a physical release on PS5 at least. I'll gladly pick it up if that is confirmed.
Comments 11
Re: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Is Getting A Remake, And It Snaps Onto Xbox In Early 2026
@ElkinFencer10 crap like that is part of the reason why I loathed NoA for the longest time. They shot themselves in the foot big time. I was actually relieved when Reggie announced his retirement as COO of NoA, because that guy did not know what he was doing and I don't get why he was so loved honestly because it was his decisions that led to North American Wii users getting the shaft when it came to several titles and also set the Wii U up for imminent disaster.
Not releasing the Wii version of Fatal Frame 2 in North America was a factor in the reason why the series never really had a chance to take off. Well, that and the outright cancelation of Mask of the Lunar Eclipse's international release as opposed to helping with funding to fix the glitches and ghost list. Had those been fixed? We could've seen an international release of the game. Instead, we got a useless collection of ROMs known as Kirby Dream Collection.
But yeah, I'm not surprised the PAL version sold poorly. It was limited in its availability and while it got solid reviews, people were wondering why a North American release was never planned. Thus, lending itself to the rarity of the game. How Nintendo handled the franchise as a whole while Tecmo-Koei was under contract was awful enough, but how it was handled in North America especially was abysmal.
Re: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Is Getting A Remake, And It Snaps Onto Xbox In Early 2026
@EvilSilentFrame oh yes, trust me, I know all about said connection and it isn't subtle either, the revelation is made later on in the game and it involved not one but two of the characters from the first. Adding to that, there was a misnomer about the second game taking place in 1956, a full 30 years before the original. Boy did we feel like fools when that was proven false once the third game in the franchise was released.
I believe both Keisuke Kikuchi and Makoto Shibata had to address this and clarify. What they did was utterly brilliant. The game is both a prequel and a sequel, that's what I love about it. Yes, it tells the tale of the younger years of two key characters from the first game, but the game itself takes place in 1988. A full two years after the original, which takes place in 1986.
Thus, it's simultaneously a prequel and a sequel. Only one other game managed to pull off being both a prequel and a sequel that I know of, Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria. It's a mechanic that I've not really seen used in other forms of media, and it's one I'd love to see expanded upon in future installments of the franchise. Provided they get that physical release. I don't do digital, I like owning my media. This is why I decry Lame Key Cards on the Switch 2. I skip games altogether that are restrictive like that.
Re: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Is Getting A Remake, And It Snaps Onto Xbox In Early 2026
@EvilSilentFrame right? For me, Lame Key Cards are a bane on me as a Switch 2 owner. I see so many games that look like they could be great but then as soon as it's confirmed they're not proper physical? That kills any buzz I could've had for the title. I've been supporting Marvelous Games née XSEED on Switch 2 because they've been championing proper full game on cart releases. Thanks to this, I've been introduced to Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma and now Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion. All three of them are fantastic games BTW. I also agree about physical on Xbox, fortunately on Playstation it isn't nearly as bad. At least there, you know you're getting the proper game on the disc and installs are usually lightning quick. So that's why I'm hopeful for the PS5 version of this to at least get a proper physical release somewhere and if worse comes to worse? I can import like I did with Maiden of Black Water and Mask of the Lunar Eclipse.
Re: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Is Getting A Remake, And It Snaps Onto Xbox In Early 2026
@DeadSpace can confirm, the Fatal Frame series is amazing. They are truly scary games that stick with you long after you're done playing. Also, can attest that both Maiden of Black Water and Mask of the Lunar Eclipse are well worth owning. I imported copies of both games for PS4 and Switch 1 and I have no regrets. They both support English BTW. They're both amazing games with awesome stories that keep you compelled throughout but the second game is a thing of beauty. There's reason why it's hailed as one of the greatest survival horror games of all time. Right up there with Silent Hill 2 even. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. I have a feeling you'll be very pleasantly surprised once the series sinks its hooks into you. It has this surreal ability to pull you in, make you feel like things are completely and utterly hopeless just like the protagonists feel. Yet you also want to keep playing because you want to find out what the hell happens next. I've experienced this with every entry in the franchise. Once you try it, you'll understand why the series, while niche, has so many hardcore fans.
Re: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Is Getting A Remake, And It Snaps Onto Xbox In Early 2026
@EvilSilentFrame indeed, though I don't know why, I have a feeling that even if it comes out on a Lame Key Card at first? Another company like Limited Run could step up and strike a deal with them so we get a full game on cart edition. They finally managed a breakthrough with Square Enix, so anything is a possibility now with them. Either way, if my hunches are correct? We'll somehow end up getting a physical edition. Team Ninja is doing one for the PS5 version of Ninja Gaiden IV, which was a pleasant surprise. So I don't rule anything out.
Re: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Is Getting A Remake, And It Snaps Onto Xbox In Early 2026
@EvilSilentFrame @Banjo- having the game be available both digitally and physically will help push sales. Provided they give the Switch 2 version a proper physical cart with the full game on it as opposed to a Lame Key Card. Those have been going over like a lead balloon, I'm surprised publishers haven't quite picked up the hint that no collector wants these glorified, reusable download codes in a box. Also, going by the trailer? Oh yes, the game is absolutely going to be dubbed. I also feel that you're right, the Japanese voices will be available too.
@EvilSilentFrame my old roommate helped me mod the Wii I had at the time and we downloaded the ROM so I could play it. Worth the experience, if you thought the Xbox version was awesome? In terms of core gameplay, the Wii version is the definitive way to play the game. It took the fear factor and ratcheted it up tenfold, the British voices grew on me and in some cases they were better than the original. Ryokan actually sounded downright menacing, I was shocked at that. However, there is a drawback in that Mission Mode was replaced with Haunted House Mode, which was just silly in comparison. Hopefully the new remake restores Mission Mode and adds to the gameplay mechanics the Wii version had, though with Team Ninja at the helm? I feel this version is in very good hands either way. I'm still shocked that one of Tecmo-Koei's flagship development teams is handling this though. Never thought I'd see the day.
Re: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Is Getting A Remake, And It Snaps Onto Xbox In Early 2026
@Banjo- that is correct, the first game takes place in 1986, the second and third within three months of each other in 1988 and the fourth game being a prequel to the first? That's a misnomer. Apparently the fan translation was riddled with errors regarding the dates. Dr. Asou visited Rougetsu Island in 1909 and witnessed a successful Rougetsu Kagura in September of that year. As the present day was the 1980's, that makes 1979 the most likely year that the failed Rougetsu Kagura took place and thus, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse most likely takes place in 1989.
Re: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Is Getting A Remake, And It Snaps Onto Xbox In Early 2026
@Banjo- right, people thought Nintendo bought partial ownership of the entire franchise as a whole. That was proven to be a misnomer. Also, thanks for clarifying. I do feel a physical version will be released somewhere though, possibly on PS5. I'm stoked Team Ninja is handling this, they're one of Tecmo-Koei's flagship development teams. That tells me they have great confidence in the remake selling gangbusters.
Re: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Is Getting A Remake, And It Snaps Onto Xbox In Early 2026
@Banjo- wait what? Was this confirmed to get a physical release? Deluxe usually indicates such.
Re: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Is Getting A Remake, And It Snaps Onto Xbox In Early 2026
@EvilSilentFrame confirmed over the shoulder. This looks to use the Wii version as the base but tweak it to modern standards. I hope they include all six endings the Wii version had.
Re: Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Is Getting A Remake, And It Snaps Onto Xbox In Early 2026
@ElkinFencer10 I believe what it was, is that Nintendo made a contract with Tecmo-Koei in that they'd fund development of the games in exchange for exclusive rights for X amount of time on Nintendo platforms. I don't believe Nintendo ever had partial ownership of the franchise as a whole though, that was apparently a misnomer. Maiden of Black Water, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse and now this game being multi-platform are cast iron evidence of this.
Also, I'm genuinely shocked to see Team Ninja heading development of this remake. It goes to show that Tecmo-Koei obviously has great confidence in the franchise to hand it off to one of their flagship development teams, the other being Omega Force. If my hunches are correct, this game, like Ninja Gaiden IV, will see a physical release on PS5 at least. I'll gladly pick it up if that is confirmed.