In an interesting mashup, The Casting of Frank Stone merges the chilling atmosphere of Dead by Daylight with Supermassive Games’ signature narrative-driven horror, creating an immersive offline experience that places players in the heart of a cosmic nightmare. Set in the eerie town of Cedar Hills, the story centers around the haunting legacy of Frank Stone, a brutal figure whose violent history still casts long shadows over the community. As players uncover the town’s dark secrets, they find themselves grappling with both tangible horrors and the more subtle dread that permeates the game’s atmosphere – brought to life with Supermassive’s signature great visuals. We checked it out on a PlayStation 5.
At its core, The Casting of Frank Stone excels in narrative tension. Supermassive Games’ talent for weaving complex, emotionally charged stories is evident here, as players are drawn into the mystery surrounding Frank Stone’s grisly past. The branching narrative system ensures that each choice carries weight, leading to an array of possible outcomes. This choice-based storytelling is reminiscent of past Supermassive titles but this time it’s connected to the Dead by Daylight universe, giving it a blend of supernatural horror and psychological suspense. As a result, Dead by Daylight players will probably get more out of it, even though you don’t have to have played that game before starting this one.
Gameplay mechanics follow a familiar pattern for fans of Supermassive Games’ previous works, with an emphasis on exploration, quick-time events (QTEs), and dialogue-driven decision-making. While the QTEs add a layer of tension to the more action-heavy moments, they can sometimes feel repetitive, especially during sequences that require precise timing to avoid fatal consequences – which is where they can be immersion-breaking. However, the pacing of these moments is generally well-balanced by quieter, atmospheric exploration, where players piece together the unsettling history of Cedar Hills through environmental storytelling and cryptic clues. The inclusion of puzzle-solving elements, while not overly complex, provides a welcome break from the more intense sequences.
Visually, The Casting of Frank Stone leverages the PlayStation 5’s hardware to deliver stunningly detailed environments and character models. The dilapidated steel mill, with its claustrophobic interiors and rusted machinery, serves as the perfect backdrop for a tale of industrial horror. Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood, with shadows creeping ominously around corners, enhancing the sense of dread that permeates every scene. However, some animations, particularly during intense action scenes, occasionally feel less fluid.
The audio design is another feature worth highlighting, with an eerie, understated soundtrack that builds tension without overwhelming the player. Ambient sounds, like that of distant machinery or the whispers of unseen entities, add to the sense of unease. Voice acting is generally strong, with the cast delivering emotionally charged performances that enhance the narrative. However, some of the more dramatic moments can feel a bit overacted, lessening their impact.
Compared to other Supermassive titles, The Casting of Frank Stone’s choice-based mechanics, while still impactful, sometimes suffer from a lack of clarity, leaving players unsure of how their decisions will affect the story’s outcome. Additionally, the pacing, while effective in building suspense, can occasionally drag, especially in moments where the game leans too heavily on dialogue without enough interactive elements to keep players engaged. This doesn’t combine well either, because feeling like you don’t know how to affect the course of the story after a long wait makes you feel less involved with it.
Overall, The Casting of Frank Stone is still a gripping horror experience that will especially appeal to fans of both Supermassive’s games and Dead by Daylight. While it stumbles slightly in terms of pacing and animation fluidity, its captivating story, atmospheric world, and immersive audio design make it a solid enough choice for fans of narrative-driven horror. Those who appreciate choice-based gameplay and psychological terror will find plenty to enjoy here, though some may wish for a bit more variety in its core mechanics.
Score: 7.0/10
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