The Casting of Frank Stone – Game Review

Casting of Frank Stone Game Banner - A person dons a metal helmet with a visor and chains, with "The Casting of Frank Stone" boldly emblazoned at the bottom.

The Casting of Frank Stone is a spin-off from the popular multiplayer game Dead by Daylight and is developed by Supermassive Games and published by Behaviour Interactive. In The Casting of Frank Stone, you explore the dark legacy of a serial killer whose gruesome past haunts the fictional town of Cedar Hills.

The game spans several decades, weaving a narrative that connects the past with the present. What sets this game apart is its unique blend of storytelling and gameplay mechanics. It offers a fresh perspective on the Dead by Daylight universe, making it accessible even to those unfamiliar with the original game.

With a mix of cosmic horror and classic slasher tropes, The Casting of Frank Stone delivers an engaging experience filled with a few jump scares and twists and turns. Let’s take a look and see what this game has to offer both fans and those unfamiliar with Dead by Daylight.

Unraveling the story behind Frank Stone

The Casting of Frank Stone offers a captivating narrative that intertwines with the lore of Dead by Daylight. The game takes place in the fictional town of Cedar Hills, and the story revolves around the infamous serial killer Frank Stone. You’ll experience the chilling events that unfold across multiple timelines, from the 1960s to the present day. This time-traveling aspect adds depth to the narrative, allowing you to see how characters evolve over decades.

Fans of Dead by Daylight will appreciate the numerous references and Easter eggs scattered throughout the game. If you aren’t too familiar with Dead by Daylight, you too can enjoy the game’s story. Supper Massive Games wrote the story so that it is accessible to a broader audience and so that you don’t have to know anything about Dead by Daylight to enjoy it.

The story delves into the mysterious Entity, a central figure in the Dead by Daylight universe. This connection enriches the experience for long-time players, as it explores the backstory of the killers and the supernatural elements that define the franchise. The writing is solid, though at times the pacing feels rushed. Especially when jumping between timelines. Overall, I found the story to be interesting, even though it was a bit cheesy and corny at times.

A shadowy figure in chains, from a scene in The Casting of Frank Stone, holds a large blade amidst a fiery and dark background.

The interactive experience of The Casting of Frank Stone

The Casting of Frank Stone is structured like an interactive movie, where your choices shape the story. You navigate through multiple timelines, which adds a whole new dimension to the story. This allows you to see how characters evolve over time, drawing you in even more.

One standout aspect of the gameplay is the Cutting Room Floor feature. This tool lets you revisit earlier parts of the story to change decisions and explore different outcomes. It’s a great way to discover hidden collectibles and unlock various story branches. And, this feature encourages replayability, as you can experiment with different choices.

The game incorporates a classic Super 8 camera, which plays a crucial role in the story. You can use it to spot supernatural elements and interact with the environment. However, I feel like this mechanic is underdeveloped in the game. I think it would have been more exciting if the camera revealed secrets or maybe even opened new areas.

Additionally, the combat mechanics are simple and can feel repetitive. Furthermore, the way choices are set up can make you feel like you don’t have much control, so some decisions don’t feel as important.

Close-up of a person with dialogue options in The Casting of Frank Stone: "Probing - Who were the victims?" and "Puzzled - What do you think he was up to?

Bringing the horror to life

Supper Massive Games did a great job in creating an engaging atmosphere in The Casting of Frank Stone. The game’s graphics really stand out, featuring detailed environments that draw you into the game’s eerie world. Character models are equally impressive, showcasing realistic facial features and expressions. This attention to detail helps make the characters feel more alive and relatable.

The sound design plays a crucial role in building tension throughout the game. Ambient sounds, like creaking doors and distant whispers, create an unsettling atmosphere. These audio elements kept me on the edge of my seat, making every moment feel suspenseful. The game also features a haunting soundtrack that heightens the emotional impact of key scenes, immersing you deeper into the story.

Voice acting in The Casting of Frank Stone is another highlight. For the most part, the cast delivers strong performances that bring the characters to life. Though, there are a few times when the dialogue can feel wooden or forced. Overall, Supper Massive Games did a good job in creating an engaging horror experience.

A scene from The Casting of Frank Stone. Three people in dim lighting are looking intently at a device held by the person in the center.

The Casting of Frank Stone offers a memorable horror adventure

The Casting of Frank Stone offers an intriguing blend of horror and storytelling that fans of Dead by Daylight and newcomers will enjoy. The game does a great job of expanding on the lore of the Dead by Daylight universe. If you are a fan, you’ll find interesting and clever references throughout the game. The multiple timelines keep the narrative engaging, allowing you to see how characters evolve over time.

The game looks great with its detailed graphics and a well-designed atmosphere. The lighting adds to the horror vibe, making it really enjoyable to watch and play. Though, there are some things with the game that I didn’t like. For example, the story’s pacing. It can feel rushed at times, making it hard to follow certain plot points. And, I felt that some choices I made didn’t have the impact I expected, which was a bit frustrating and disappointing. Additionally, the gameplay is somewhat limited, with very simple puzzles and quick-time events.

Despite its shortcomings, The Casting of Frank Stone still manages to create a memorable horror adventure. There’s nothing groundbreaking here but I feel it offers a solid experience for both fans and newcomers alike. If you appreciate well-told stories and can overlook some gameplay issues, this game is worth your time. However, unless you are a die-hard Dead by Daylight fan, you might want to wait for a sale before picking up this game.

The Casting of Frank Stone

Review by @4ScarrsGaming

A person dons a metal helmet with a visor and chains, with
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Summary

The Casting of Frank Stone is a spin-off from Dead by Daylight, developed by Supermassive Games. The game explores the dark legacy of the serial killer Frank Stone across multiple timelines. While the story is engaging and filled with interesting twists, it can feel rushed at times, and some gameplay elements are limited. Overall, it’s a fun experience, but you might want to wait for a sale before diving in.

3.4

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4ScarrsGaming

Jon is a proud Canadian who has a lifelong passion for gaming. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry with more than 20 years experience. Jon is a strong believer and supporter in cloud gaming, he's that guy with the Stadia tattoo! He enjoys playing and talking about games on all platforms and mediums. Join the conversation with Jon on Threads @4ScarrsGaming and @4ScarrsGaming on Instagram.

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