The horror genre has always been a playground for exploring our deepest fears and anxieties, both on-screen and off.With The Casting of Frank Stone, Supermassive Games ventures into this territory, offering a chilling narrative adventure that blends interactive storytelling with the rich lore of Dead by Daylight. But does this spin-off truly stand on its own two feet, or is it merely a shadow cast by its multiplayer counterpart? Let’s dive into the steel mill’s depths and find out.
The Casting of Frank Stone
A Familiar Formula with a Fresh Twist
If you’ve experienced Supermassive’s previous interactive movies like Until Dawn and The Quarry, you’ll immediately feel at home with The Casting of Frank Stone. The familiar gameplay mechanics are all present – dialogue choices that shape the narrative, quick-time events that test your reflexes, and light exploration with puzzles and collectibles. However,Supermassive also introduces some clever innovations.
The “Cutting Room Floor” feature is a game-changer, allowing you to revisit and alter your choices at key branching points in the story. This eliminates the need to replay the entire game to experience different outcomes, giving you more control over your narrative journey.
The time-hopping narrative is another highlight, weaving together three separate storylines across different decades.You’ll witness the origins of Frank Stone’s reign of terror in the 1960s, the making of a B-movie inspired by his killings in the 1980s, and a present-day mystery that ties everything together. It’s an ambitious setup that keeps you engaged and eager to uncover the truth.
Nods to Dead by Daylight and Beyond
As a Dead by Daylight spin-off, The Casting of Frank Stone pays homage to its source material in numerous ways. You’ll encounter familiar mechanics like generator repairs and heart-pounding chase sequences that evoke the thrill of the multiplayer game. The game also features a plethora of Easter eggs for eagle-eyed Dead by Daylight fans to discover.
But Supermassive doesn’t stop there. The game also incorporates clever references to other horror classics, like Fatal Frame, adding a layer of meta-commentary on the genre itself. This self-awareness elevates the storytelling, prompting you to consider the power of horror media and its impact on both its creators and its audience.
Where Real and Invented Horrors Collide
At its core, The Casting of Frank Stone explores the blurring lines between reality and fiction, trauma and exploitation.The story delves into the aftermath of Frank Stone’s brutal murders, examining how a real-life tragedy can be transformed into a fictional horror story. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of how the media can both perpetuate and exploit our fears, raising questions about the ethics of turning real-life horrors into entertainment.
However, as the narrative progresses, The Casting of Frank Stone stumbles somewhat in its execution. The focus shifts from its original themes to explicitly filling in the gaps of Dead by Daylight‘s lore. Frank Stone, initially a terrifying and enigmatic figure, gradually becomes a tool to explain the mechanics of the multiplayer game. This shift can feel jarring, especially for those unfamiliar with Dead by Daylight.
The Verdict: A Promising Concept, Slightly Undermined
The Casting of Frank Stone is a worthwhile experience for fans of Supermassive Games and Dead by Daylight alike. The innovative gameplay features, compelling narrative setup, and thought-provoking themes make it a worthwhile addition to the horror genre. However, the story’s reliance on Dead by Daylight‘s lore and some technical shortcomings prevent it from reaching its full potential. If you’re looking for a thrilling horror adventure with a unique premise, The Casting of Frank Stone is worth a playthrough. Just be prepared for a few bumps along the way.
The The Casting of Frank Stone was reviewed on PS5
