The Casting of Frank Stone Review – Death Is Just the Beginning

Over time, Behavior Interactive’s Dead by Daylight has grown into a global phenomenon and remains one of the most popular multiplayer games today, thanks to its unique gameplay and rich setting. Although the in-game information is limited, it hints at a much deeper and more complex world. With The Casting of Frank Stone, developed by Supermassive Games, this rich background is now brought to the forefront, receiving the attention it deserves—a development sure to delight every fan of the original game.

Although it’s a spin-off of Dead by Daylight, the team behind Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology has crafted an adventure that even those unfamiliar with Dead by Daylight can thoroughly enjoy. The Casting of Frank Stone is a game that appeals to all types of players, as long as they can overlook a few minor issues.

The game introduces a diverse cast of characters, including police officer Sam, aspiring actor Jaime, her girlfriend and emerging film director Chris, their friend Linda, who is also pursuing a movie career, and Madison, a young woman who, at first glance, seems disconnected from the others. However, their fates are intricately linked to Frank Stone, a serial killer who terrorized the town of Cedar Hills in 1963 and was killed by Officer Sam during an investigation into a missing boy.

However, the death of Frank Stone was not the end. Decades later, the serial killer continues to haunt the lives of many, and in 1980, Jaime, Chris, and Linda realize that there is much more to Frank Stone than simple madness.

The Casting of Frank Stone is set across multiple timelines—1963, 1980, and 2024—and most of the main cast appear in these different eras. Their destinies are intertwined not just by their hometown but also by a movie, Murder Mill, shot in the same steel mill where Frank Stone worked and died. The mysterious Augustine Lieber, who has a strong interest in the film, further connects their fates. As the story unfolds, players navigate through these timelines, making crucial decisions that shape the narrative, a hallmark of Supermassive Games.

The story is one of The Casting of Frank Stone‘s strongest aspects. Supermassive Games has crafted a narrative that, while rooted in Dead by Daylight‘s lore, is thoroughly engaging even for those who are not familiar with the universe. The multiple timelines work well, and it’s fascinating to see how the characters evolve over time. The twists in the story contribute to making the experience memorable, although Dead by Daylight fans may not find all of them surprising. The writing and voice acting are top-notch, so much so that at times, it feels like watching a movie rather than playing a video game.

As is typical for Supermassive Games, the story takes center stage, and the gameplay is designed to support it. Throughout the game, players must make choices that significantly impact the overall narrative and the fate of certain characters, potentially even saving them from death. The Cutting Room Floor feature makes it easy to track these choices, revealing the possible outcomes of decisions, the percentage of players who made them, and hints about their future consequences. This feature is a welcome addition, making it easier to explore everything the game has to offer, including collectibles.

Apart from decision-making and exploring small, closed-off areas in third-person view, The Casting of Frank Stone offers limited gameplay. Some sequences include simple environmental puzzles and straightforward combat involving a camera, which plays a significant role in the story. Occasionally, players will need to complete quick-time events called Skill Checks, a mechanic borrowed from Dead by Daylight.

Overall, this results in a relatively short game, around 6 hours for a first playthrough without using the Cutting Room Floor to explore alternate choices. The game’s relationship system, which tracks the main characters’ opinions of each other, and the many possible outcomes, will likely encourage players to spend more than 6 hours with the game. However, the limited gameplay may eventually become repetitive. Still, the engaging story and compelling characters may lead players to complete multiple playthroughs to achieve the most satisfying ending.

Powered by Unreal Engine 5, The Casting of Frank Stone looks stunning. The detailed environments and character models, combined with excellent lighting, create an immersive atmosphere. On PlayStation 5, the game runs smoothly at 30 FPS with minimal stuttering, which is commendable for a game using Unreal Engine 5. However, I encountered issues running the game on a high-spec PC, so it might be wise to check compatibility before purchasing.

Initially, I didn’t expect much from The Casting of Frank Stone given my limited familiarity with Dead by Daylight. However, after a few hours, I was hooked. This speaks to the quality of the experience, which is enjoyable for all types of players, provided they are okay with the limited gameplay and short playtime. The $39.99 price tag may seem steep for a six-hour game, but if you appreciate well-crafted horror stories, it could be worth the investment.