Those wondering if Koei Tecmo was still interested in developing the Fatal Frame series need ponder it no longer. Not only has the publisher announced a new entry into the series but that entry also happens to be a full remake for Fatal Frame’s most celebrated title. Yup, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is real and it’s due out some time in 2026.

For a long time, Fatal Frame enjoyed something of a unique place in the horror genre. For most of us who were still only middle schoolers or younger at the time, it was a series we only knew by reputation and a few scant mentions on TV or the internet. It was supposed to be the scariest game ever made; the kind of thing that would keep you up at night watching the dark corners of your room.

It was also, supposedly, very difficult to find despite seeing a true release in the States. Whether this was true due to stores not ordering many copies or just school heresay didn’t matter, this was a game that you just weren’t supposed to have. Heck, I’m pretty sure there were actual ghost stories about it floating around at some point.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly was even more infamous, with reviews and word of mouth saying that it was a downright terrifying experience that only the most steeled of players could handle. Now, was this true? It probably was at the time since there wasn’t very much else like it yet, and much like Silent Hill, it relied more on atmosphere and haunting imagery to deliver its scares than it it combat-like encounters. Nowadays, it probably wouldn’t phase most horror fans, especially those familiar with the genre’s gameplay and storytelling tropes.

That’s why a remake is such an exciting prospect, though. Koei Tecmo hasn’t given any details as to what exactly it’ll be doing differently, but this is still a great opportunity to give what was once thought of as one of the scariest games ever made some real horror teeth again. It seems like they’re doing a good job of preserving the atmosphere that made the Fatal Frame series so infamous in the first place, so now all they have to do is deliver a satisfying story and gameplay experience.

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Did you eve play the original back in the day? Did you ever hear any creepy Fatal Frame stories as a kid?

Image from the Steam page