Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly challenges players beyond the main story, especially when it comes to uncovering its enigmatic side narratives. The Kusabi Side Story is a particularly intriguing quest, diving deep into the shadowy underbelly of the game’s lore by exploring secret underground locations. These haunting areas hold the key to new endings, which add layers to the game’s already atmospheric and chilling experience.
Starting the Kusabi Side Story requires access to a New Game+ save and progressing through the main storyline until Chapter 4. At this point, head to the Underground Path beneath the Osaka House. This is where the story quietly begins to unravel. Equip your Exposure Lens and explore the room where you previously faced the blind ghost encounter.
In the center of this room, an invisible Remnant of the Folklorist awaits. Capturing a photograph of this elusive spirit will cause it to drop a journal vital to the side story’s progression. Although this is a key discovery, this step is just the beginning; the tale pauses here, with more revelations reserved for a later chapter.
The next advancement in the Kusabi Side Story unfolds during Chapter 6, as you navigate the underground section between the Tachibana and Kiryu houses. Early in this segment, a cutscene triggers, and you’ll momentarily lose your camera. Returning later to retrieve it, turn around and use your Exposure Lens to photograph a cluster of rocks adjacent to the ladder. This snaps another Remnant of the Folklorist into view and adds another journal to your collection, deepening the mystery before you reach the final sequence.
The final part of this side quest opens after you part ways with Mayu during the game’s last chapter. Venture to the Eikado Temple, an area previously unused in your first playthrough. From here, descend via the ladder into the Underground Deep Path. Near the upper-right corner of the map, you’ll find a new Remnant hanging around some collapsed rocks. Photographing this spirit yields yet another crucial journal entry.
Once the journal is obtained, the story pushes you further into the depths of the Kurosawa House. In this final underground area, make your way to the Deep Path, approaching the Altar Room where Kusabi was first confronted. Before entering, equip your Exposure Lens one last time to uncover the final Remnant of the Folklorist. This discovery ties up the story’s loose ends and completes the quest.
Successfully finishing the Kusabi Side Story rewards you with the Sparkling Kusabi Spirit Stone. Equipping this charm is essential for unlocking the enigmatic Abyss ending when you face the game’s final boss, offering a fresh and chilling conclusion to Fatal Frame 2’s haunting narrative.
When you reach the Deep Path underneath the Kurosawa House, progress all the way until you are about to enter the Altar Room where you fought and defeated Kusabi during your first playthrough. Equip your Exposure Lens one last time to find a final Remnant of the Folklorist.
Completing this Side Story will add the Sparkling Kusabi Spirit Stone to your inventory, which when equipped will let the player get the Abyss ending after defeating the final boss.