Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows
Initial release date: August 26, 2024
License: proprietary license
Genres: Adventure game, Adventure
Developer: Supermassive Games
Publisher: Behaviour Interactive
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Dead By Daylight expands its universe with the release of The Casting Of Frank Stone. Is it a worthy addition to the franchise? Or should it have been left in the void with the entity?
The Entity grows hungry.
Over the years, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Dead By Daylight, Behaviour Interactive’s asymmetrical horror game. But when I discovered that Supermassive Games, the developers of Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures, were developing a horror game set in the DBD universe, I was ecstatic. With this being a Supermassive game, you can expect a horror-themed plot in which your choices in the game affect the end of the story. The Casting of Frank Stone is a unique drama told across three timelines lasting 64 years, from 1960 to the present day 2024. The plot expertly weaves these three timeframes together, with a core group of intriguing and engaging characters dealing with events from the past and present. Without giving too much away, the game follows the titular Frank Stone from his homicidal rampage in the 1960s to his apparent demise and subsequent resurrection attempts at the hands of a mystery woman and an unknown entity. A film team from the 1980s attempts to film a horror production near the place of Stone’s atrocities. I especially addressed the creature since Supermassive has leaned so heavily on the Dead By Daylight narrative that novices may struggle to understand at times. However, for franchise veterans, there are numerous easter eggs and references to the game, which is fantastic. Lore permeates every aspect of the plot, from the entity to the people, artifacts, and locales.
The plot, like in other Supermassive games, is entirely up to you to shape and sculpt. Dialogue options are back, and each sentence has meaning and implications for the future. Supermassive is the king of this type of horror game, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s brutal and unexpected, and the anxiety builds as you roam around abandoned neighborhoods and crawl into sewers. There aren’t as many jump scares as I would have wanted, but the game’s overall spooky atmosphere will satisfy horror enthusiasts. I found this game to be their most punishing, with some seemingly trivial decisions being fatal. Each of the core five characters has the potential to be killed at any time after the prologue, creating a high level of tension and anxiety with each decision. I love every game Supermassive has made, and this is no exception, however I have some reservations about the plot, particularly the finale.
Again, to prevent spoilers, I won’t say too much, but I felt the game’s final third was hurried and incomplete in many aspects. I didn’t think I was nearing the finish of the game, only to have everything move into sixth gear unexpectedly. This was disappointing since I wanted to spend more time with the wonderful variety of characters, learning their motivations and developing relationships. After finishing the story three times, each ending felt unique and different, but none provided a conclusive conclusion. However, this could be purposeful, leading to further storylines or game continuations. It’s a credit to the game’s quality that I wanted to play it again and again, and with over sixteen alternative endings, I’ll return for more. I only wish it was longer so that the characters and plot could be developed more fully.
Hit the Skill Check!
If you’re inexperienced with past Supermassive titles, it’s crucial to understand what to expect in terms of gameplay. For the most of the game, you simply stroll around researching the locales you find yourself in and selecting dialogue options. Quick time events (QTE) return from prior games, but with a twist: they are based on the Dead By Daylight skill check mechanic, making the game seem really franchise-related. That is the heart and bones of gameplay; it will not appeal to everyone, but as someone who has played every Supermassive game, I like this style. I enjoy exploring every nook and cranny of the environment for collectibles and expanding the narrative through texts and photos that may be picked up. Each of these items adds weight and depth to the plot, making it more engaging for both DBD veterans and beginners.
Supermassive has made some new quality-of-life updates and additions to The Casting of Frank Stone. Again, without spoilers, utilizing a film camera in the game has never felt more distinct! Along with this, the makers designed the plunderers instinct feature, which allows you to examine the surroundings for collectibles in that location. For someone like myself who enjoys exploring, this is an excellent addition because it ensures that I have acquired everything. In addition, the inclusion of a notification informing you that you are unable to return to this location is greatly appreciated. The final addition I enjoyed in this game was the cutting room floor. After completing your first game, you will unlock the cutting room floor, which allows you to see your choices and the routes they produced. This is fantastic since it not only displays your options, but it also allows you to return to each individual scene to edit and alter the conclusion and see the outcomes. Lots and lots of replayability! I only wish, like in other Supermassive titles, I could have played the game with a friend, as the lack of internet co-op is an odd choice.
Beauty in Brutality
The Casting of Frank Stone is a fantastic-looking game. Supermassive has nailed the aesthetic and visuals of all three timelines. Each era looks and feels distinct, with the 1980s being my personal favourite. The environments are intricate and beautiful; I could stare at the Cedar Hills Steel Mill or the Manor all day. Character models and animations are also excellent; this is Supermassive’s best work, and they deserve praise for their efforts. The lighting is also excellent, evoking the terror and maintaining high tension levels. When the characters reveal and display emotions, it looks beautiful and helps immerse you in the plot, thanks to the excellent use of motion capture. The numerous death animations are likewise horrible, and on the instances when I ended up killing a character, the deaths served as a stark reminder of my error. It makes me excited for the next Dark Pictures game since everyone in Frank Stone looks and feels amazing; this is a masterclass in presentation and design.
Similarly, Frank Stone’s audio design and music are amazing. The cast’s voice acting is excellent, and you feel deeply about these individuals and their journey. Screams and screams are terrifying and provide a great dramatic element to each scenario. Along with the voice acting, the sound design is first-rate, with basic effects such as footsteps echoing in an abandoned workshop or doors slamming in a chase sequence. Every sound might have come straight out of a movie; they sound so wonderful. The musical score is likewise excellent, ebbing and flowing with true purpose during difficult scenes. Supermassive has always had terrific, solid horror soundtracks, and this trend continues with Frank Stone. This is backed by traditional Dead By Daylight sound effects like picking up an item or repairing a generator. For fans of the franchise, these are pretty cool moments that will make you smile.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 82%
Controls: 85%
Aesthetics: 88%
Content: 80%
Accessibility: 78%
Value: 84%
Overall: 82%
VERY GOOD
Summary: “The Casting of Frank Stone” is an engrossing narrative-driven game that transports players to a wonderfully constructed universe full of intriguing people and a gripping plot. The gameplay achieves a good mix between tale and interactivity, resulting in an entertaining experience. Its visual presentation is amazing, with rich surroundings and emotive characters that add to the emotional resonance of the story. While the basic tale shines, additional content may improve replayability and player exploration. Overall, “The Casting of Frank Stone” is a solid recommendation for fans of narrative-driven games, offering a fulfilling journey that keeps them engaged from beginning to end.