The Casting of Frank Stone Review (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, GeForce Now & PC)

From the creators of Dead by Daylight and Until Dawn, The Casting of Frank Stone is a fresh entry into the interactive horror genre. The game merges ideas from Dead by Daylight with the cinematic storytelling Supermassive Games is known for. It’s a perfect blend of slasher flick tension, psychological terror, and supernatural elements all rolled into one. Does this collaboration of horror masterminds deliver, or does it get lost in its ambition? Let’s find out from this review of The Casting of Frank Stone. 

A Fresh Slice of Fear

The Casting of Frank Stone feels like a classic Supermassive game but with a twist. It’s a 5-6 hour cinematic adventure, packed with choices, QuickTime events (QTEs), and exploration. If you’re familiar with Until Dawn or The Quarry, you’ll know what to expect. Long cutscenes, tense decisions, and those sudden QTEs that can determine a character’s fate.

Now, here is the twist, the story spans three different periods: the 1960s, 1980s, and 2024. It kicks off with a chilling sequence in the 60s, where we meet Frank Stone. Here, Frank is a serial killer who’s central to the game’s plot. After this brief introduction, most of the game bounces between the 80s and the present day. 

In the 80s timeline, a group of teenage friends decides to shoot a horror movie at an old, abandoned steel mill. Little do they know, it’s the site of brutal murders from the 60s, Frank Stone’s old hunting ground. Meanwhile, in 2024, you control a character named Madison. Madison explores a creepy countryside manor, where she’s been invited for mysterious reasons. These two storylines, a retro slasher and a haunted house thriller work together to build tension and keep you on the edge of your seat.

There’s Always a Catch

One big downside of The Casting of Frank Stone is how much it depends on Dead by Daylight‘s backstory. If you haven’t played Dead by Daylight, the plot might feel confusing or incomplete. 

The game expects you to understand things like the Entity and how it ties into Frank Stone’s transformation into a killer. But if you’re just here for the horror story, these connections don’t make much sense because the game doesn’t explain them well. It’s frustrating, especially if you’re not familiar with the Dead by Daylight universe.

The game introduces the concept of time travel and a multiverse, but these elements are never fully explained or explored. The narrative jumps between the 1960s, 1980s, and 2024. However, the rules surrounding how these timelines interact are vague. There’s a lot of potential in this concept, but it feels like the game only scratches the surface.

For example, characters seem to exist in multiple timelines, and some even interact with their past selves or alternate versions of themselves. But the game never dives into the mechanics of how this works. Is it a parallel universe? Are the timelines merging? Why do some characters seem unaffected by the passage of time, while others clearly age? These are all interesting questions that are left unanswered, leaving the story feeling incomplete.

A Killer to Remember

Frank Stone is the kind of horror villain you won’t forget easily. He’s not just your average killer; there’s a supernatural twist to him. His backstory ties to an ancient curse, making him more than just a regular scary character. What makes Frank stand out is how unpredictable he is. You never know when or where he’ll show up, which keeps the tension high the entire time.

In the game, you’re always on edge, waiting for Frank to appear. He doesn’t follow a pattern or give any clear warnings. One moment you feel safe, the next he’s right behind you, breaking through doors or creeping closer. It’s that unpredictability that makes him so terrifying. Every encounter feels different, and you’re constantly adjusting your strategy.

Additionally, Supermassive Games does a great job of making Frank feel like a constant threat. His unpredictability makes every encounter feel different. Sometimes you’ll barely escape him, while other times, he catches you off guard completely. It’s the kind of tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Visually, Frank is downright terrifying. He’s got this twisted look that makes him feel more than just a regular human killer. It’s not just about him being scary. It’s about how his presence curves the world around you, making everything feel even more creepy.

A Dark World Awaits

The Casting of Frank Stone offers a gripping interactive horror experience where your choices shape the story. The gameplay kicks off with a slow burn, blending exploration with decision-making. Early on, it feels like a point-and-click adventure game with a cinematic twist.

You start by exploring creepy locations, from old mansions to eerie forests. Your characters are armed with ghostbusting tech, which you use to uncover clues and make critical decisions. These choices can significantly affect how the story unfolds. Sometimes, you’ll be in QuickTime events, pressing buttons or combinations to survive intense moments.

One unique feature is the game’s cutting-room floor option. This lets you revisit decisions and see how they impact the story. It’s like having a behind-the-scenes look at how your choices played out. This replayability adds depth and keeps the suspense high.

That said, the linear nature of the game means that even with Cutting Room mode, the replayability is somewhat limited. You’re still following the same overall story, just tweaking certain scenes or outcomes along the way. If you’re someone who enjoys exploring all possible outcomes, you’ll get more mileage out of this feature. But if you’re just in it for the story, one playthrough might be enough.

On the flip side, the pacing can be uneven, with some chapters feeling too short and others dragging. Switching between timelines might feel disjointed at times, but it adds to the suspense. Overall, the gameplay is engaging, offering a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and survival horror vibes.

Beauty in the Darkness

From a technical standpoint, The Casting of Frank Stone performs well on modern hardware, especially if you’re running a beefy system. On high-end gaming PCs with an RTX 4090, you can expect smooth frame rates, even in graphically intense moments. The game supports a variety of upscaling technologies, including DLSS and FSR, which help boost performance without sacrificing too much visual quality.

That said, the game does have some rough spots. Texture pop-ins, particularly in larger environments, can be distracting. Additionally, certain animations, especially when characters interact with the environment, feel stiff. 

One standout aspect of the game’s presentation is the audio design. Well, the soundwork is phenomenal. From the creaking of old wood to the distant sounds of something, or someone moving in the shadows. It helps immerse you in the world and ramps up the tension, especially when you’re sneaking around trying to avoid Frank. The musical score also deserves praise, blending cinematic orchestration with, atmospheric sounds to enhance the eerie experience.

The Art of Survival

In The Casting of Frank Stone, survival is like a high-stakes game of hide and seek. You’re constantly searching for items and clues. They can mean the difference between making it through the night or meeting an untimely end. The thrill of finding something useful, whether it’s a key item or a piece of evidence, adds to the excitement of each new discovery.

Exploring the game’s dark and creepy environments keeps you on your toes. Much like Dead by Daylight, where danger lurks around every corner, the atmosphere in The Casting of Frank Stone creates an intense sense of suspense. Every shadow and sound could signal an approaching threat, so you need to stay vigilant. 

The puzzles in the game are another key element of survival. They’re not just about finding solutions but also about managing your resources and thinking strategically. Solving these puzzles requires a mix of creativity and problem-solving skills. Consequently, they keep you engaged and make each success feel like a real achievement. 

Verdict

The Casting of Frank Stone offers a unique twist on the horror genre. The game blends a chilling atmosphere with a narrative that stretches across different timelines. The game does a great job of creating a tense experience, with its dark, immersive settings and unsettling soundtrack. However, it’s not without its flaws.

The reliance on Dead by Daylight lore might be a stumbling block for newcomers. The narrative jumps between various decades with a concept of time travel that’s intriguing but not fully explored. This can leave you feeling lost and wondering how everything fits together.

If you’re a fan of interactive horror games, this game is worth checking out. The multi-layered storytelling, while not perfect, is engaging enough to keep you hooked. The choices you make feel weighty and impactful. Plus, Frank Stone is a killer that’ll stick with you long after the credits roll.

Ultimately, The Casting of Frank Stone is a solid entry into the interactive horror genre. It’s not groundbreaking, but it offers enough thrills, chills, and genuinely tense moments to make it a worthwhile experience. Just be prepared for a few rough patches along the way.