Sunday, April 25, 2010

FATAL FRAME 2 : CRIMSON BUTTEFLY



Cover of the game.
source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/af/Fatal_Frame_II_-_Crimson_Butterfly.jpg



Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly is the second installment to the Fatal Frame series. The game was released by Tecmo in 2003. The game was ranked second in Gametrailers “Top 10 scariest games” in 2006. Although it was originally created for the Playstation 2 console, a Director’s Cut Edition was released specially for The Xbox ONLY. The Director’s Cut edition has enhancement in the graphic and also updates. It includes an extra ending and extra bonus costumes as well. The game play is similar to the first one Fatal Frame. Players must exorcise malicious spirits and ghost by taking pictures of them with the Camera Obscura.


Example of a ghost faced in the game
source= www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30909355&op=6&o=global&view=global&subj=208203760089&id=1121799906





Twin sisters Mio and Mayu Amakura visited the place where they used to play when they were still children. It was in a forest and the spot they used to play had a river flowing. This was their last chance to remember how it looked like and cherish the time they spent here because a dam was to be built. Mio, however, still felt guilty for what happened to Mayu when they were children. When they were children, Mio ran through the forest with Mayu chasing her from behind. Mayu told her to slow down but she taunts her to keep up instead. This led Mayu to slip from the path and rolled down the side. Ever since then, Mayu has been walking with a limp.


Mayu then spotted a Crimson Butterfly which flew into the forest. She chased it without telling Mio. Mio, who saw her sister chasing the butterfly, ran after Mayu. Suddenly, the forest turned dark and foggy. Mio followed the path and ended up at the entrance of the village, at the hill, where she finds Mayu standing looking towards the village. When she called out to Mayu, Crimson Butterflies flew from behind Mayu.


Having no knowledge on how to leave the village, the sisters decided to explore the village. Slowly, they learnt about the village’s dark secret. The village was ‘All God’s Village’. Dark Shinto Rituals were carried out. Mio learns about the Crimson Sacrifice Ritual, a ritual whereby a twin has to strangle the other twin to death to save the village from a disaster. Should the ritual succeed, the dead twin will become a Crimson Butterfly. The last pair of twins; Sae and Yae Kurosawa tried to escape the village but Sae was caught and had to perform the ritual alone. She believed Yae would come back for her. Unfortunately, Yae didn’t. This made her return from the dead and massacred the whole village. Now Sae uses Mayu as a host and intends to perform the ritual once more. She believes Mio is her sister, Yae.


Will Mio be able to save Mayu and herself from the Crimson Sacrifice Ritual? Will she be able to escape the village together with Mayu to lead their normal life again? Find out by playing the game. There will be 3 endings; each depends on how you perform in the game.


Mio(left) and Mayu(right), seeing the All God's Village
source: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30915857&op=2&o=global&view=global&subj=208203760089&id=1121799906


Rating for the game: Chris: 5/5
Khai: 5/5
Fitri: 4.5/5

Chris’ opinion: I highly recommend you readers to get this game. It is very interesting and provides players with a feeling that makes them think there is a ghost beside them. However, I do not suggest this game to people with a weak heart or easily traumatize, to play this as it may have side effects due to the fear from the game.

Khai’s opinion: It is quite scary and has an eerie environment in the game. Overall, a great game.

Fitri’s opinion: It is very fun and very scary at the same time. I suggest those who are scared to play it with someone around them.