The Casting of Frank Stone is set to attract two main groups of players: fans of Dead by Daylight looking for a fresh experience in the beloved multiplayer universe, and followers of Supermassive Games eager for a new cinematic adventure from the creators of Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology.
As a longtime Supermassive fan who has played all their non-VR titles, including Hidden Agenda, I find it exciting to see the studio adapt their cinematic style to an established universe. While I have dabbled in Dead by Daylight before, my understanding of its lore is limited. However, The Casting of Frank Stone intrigued me with its storyline focused on filmmaking, which is one of my favorite subjects in fiction. The game begins with a prologue set in the 1960s, available as a demo, and shifts between two time periods centered on a mysterious film titled Murder Mill. This dual narrative effectively builds tension, allowing the storylines to interconnect as players progress.
Supermassive’s games heavily rely on engaging character interactions, and this cast certainly delivers. In the 1980s timeline, a group of teen filmmakers features strong character development and intriguing interpersonal conflicts. Meanwhile, in the present day, an eclectic group of characters finds themselves in a haunted mansion, slowly uncovering their hidden connections. Each character is well-defined, contributing to the story’s depth. Alongside the protagonist Frank Stone, the secondary villain also enhances the narrative, tying it to the broader Dead by Daylight mythology.
Even without a deep understanding of Dead by Daylight’s universe, I found the story enjoyable, especially as it gradually gained momentum. The game explores darker themes while maintaining focus on the core characters’ arcs. Supermassive has incorporated supernatural elements before, but here, they delve into fantastical territory, intertwining the lore of the Entity. While this shift might feel overwhelming at times, it mostly succeeds in keeping character development at the forefront. Even with limited familiarity, I was able to appreciate nods to the Dead by Daylight game, particularly towards the end.
The quick time events remain a staple of the Supermassive experience, now themed to mimic the generator-fixing prompts seen in Dead by Daylight. While the implementation does not drastically alter gameplay, it provides a momentary adjustment period. Players encounter actual generators that fit naturally into the gaming environment rather than feeling like forced references.
For anyone accustomed to this genre, the gameplay follows familiar patterns: quick time events, dialogue choices impacting relationships, and critical decisions shaping the narrative. Players will engage in exploration and solve light puzzles, which may come across as typical gaming filler but fit well within the game’s settings.
As players uncover items and lore notes, these elements enrich the story’s background and enhance understanding. A particularly useful feature allows you to view summaries of lore notes, making comprehension easier. Supermassive has streamlined gameplay mechanics, ensuring smooth progression and clarity regarding actionable items.
However, with a runtime of about six hours, I felt fewer choices drastically altered the storyline, and there were fewer high-pressure quick time events than expected. The introduction of an 8MM camera mechanic aimed to heighten suspense but fell short of expectations, lacking a sense of danger despite providing a new interaction method with the game world.
Upon completing the game, I was left with some unanswered questions, which were not merely due to my limited knowledge of Dead by Daylight. Fortunately, the game includes a Cutting Room Floor feature, allowing players to revisit key narrative moments and explore different outcomes without replaying the entire game, significantly enhancing replayability.
Visually, The Casting of Frank Stone impresses with detailed character models and immersive environments. The mill itself stands out with an impressive establishing shot, encapsulating the gravity of the narrative. Character designs are intricate and the performance capture superb, showcasing significant advancements over earlier titles.
While there are minor graphical glitches, such as delayed texture loading or brief black screens during scene transitions, these issues do not detract from the overall experience. They are likely to be resolved in future updates.
Collaborating with Behaviour to integrate Supermassive storytelling into the Dead by Daylight universe proves to be a smart move. Fans of both franchises will appreciate the solid narrative, engaging characters, and enticing lore. Although The Casting of Frank Stone may not reach the heights of previous Supermassive titles like Until Dawn or The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes, it represents an exciting exploration of new narrative styles. By the end, I was engrossed in the supernatural elements and even reinstalled Dead by Daylight for another round.
The Casting of Frank Stone is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.