While rising up, I had a fascination with horror, significantly motion pictures. These vary from supernatural hauntings and slashers to psychological terror and gore fests. Satisfying story-telling and sensible characterization would usually conflict with efficient scares. Nonetheless, apart from the challenges of manufacturing one thing horrifying, it was the totally different approaches to horror. Moodier items that didn’t depend on leap scares, discovered footage movies, anthologies – the world of horror caters to such a wide selection of people, from slasher flick enjoyers to homicide thriller followers, that it stays an endearing medium.
This brings us to The Casting of Frank Stone, Supermassive’s newest interactive narrative horror. As a collaboration with Behaviour Interactive, touted as “from the world of Useless by Daylight”, it seemingly affords a easy story the place alternative and consequence decide who survives. Nothing revolutionary, however with deep sufficient characterization, compelling writing, and intriguing situations, it may have been a good thriller.
“The setting is Cedar Hills in 1980, a number of years after the carnage perpetrated by one Frank Stone. Jaime, Chris, and Linda are capturing a film, Homicide Mill, set within the deserted Metal Mill the place Stone beforehand labored.”
As an alternative, it falters on quite a few fronts. Although it considerably caters to followers of the Useless by Daylight lore, the story and gameplay fail to face on their very own, whether or not you’re searching for heart-pounding scares, one thing extra cerebral or plain outdated violence.
The setting is Cedar Hills in 1980, a number of years after the carnage perpetrated by one Frank Stone. Jaime, Chris, and Linda are capturing a film, Homicide Mill, set within the deserted Metal Mill the place Stone beforehand labored. It’s not till later they study concerning the extent of his crimes, and along with Robert, they push deeper into the mill to seize extra. However is Frank actually useless? We all know The Entity from Useless by Daylight is concerned in some way, based mostly on all of the advertising blurbs, however in what sense?
The plot holes seem pretty early, particularly relating to the film the kids are capturing. The place does Frank Stone determine into the script, particularly after they presumably want another shot to wrap it up? Is that this meant to be a commentary on beginner film-making and the way it can generally really feel directionless, justifying the kids wandering round with the least quantity of self-preservation intuition? You, the participant, comprehend it’s a plot gadget to maintain issues transferring, however it doesn’t must really feel so shoddily constructed (tacky appearing apart).
Amid all this, one other plotline unfolds, set in 2024. It sees the unassuming Madison venturing to a wierd, remoted property on the behest of the mysterious Augustine. She meets a considerably acquainted face alongside the way in which after which Stan, who couldn’t be slimier or extra untrustworthy if he tried. They – and their host – are additionally related to Homicide Mill, and when Augustine mysteriously disappears, the trio start exploring to uncover her secrets and techniques.
“For probably the most half, it seems like The Casting of Frank Stone is intent on transferring issues alongside reasonably than taking the time to construct its solid.”
There may be some poorly written dialogue right here and there, accentuated by how awkward the cutscene route and facial expressions can generally be. Nonetheless, above all else, it seems like nearly all of the solid simply isn’t fleshed out sufficient. Jaime comes throughout as happy-go-lucky however turns into extra hesitant and moody concerning the manufacturing after Chris delves into Frank Stone’s previous. What’s the cope with his household, and what does he need?
There’s Chris, who might come throughout as ungrateful however emerges as somebody decided to get issues carried out and cares for her mates deeply, even when terrified. What’s that about her not being from Cedar Hills? Why does she need to make a horror film moreover merely liking horror? There’s no time to clarify. Jaime’s sister, Bonnie, will get some moments to breathe as she affords intriguing glimpses into her time in New York and the way she feels about Cedar Hills. Nonetheless, it’s merely not sufficient, finally losing her potential.
There are different examples, however Frank Stone might be probably the most egregious. As you discover off the marginally overwhelmed path, there are some fascinating bits to find about Frank, even when they’re little greater than reminders of somebody behind his actions. For probably the most half, it seems like The Casting of Frank Stone is intent on transferring issues alongside reasonably than taking the time to construct its solid.
The characterization feels satisfactory in service of the general plot however doesn’t go that additional mile to actually make you care. We’re on the cusp of one thing extra, particularly after the opening hours (regardless of some dreadful exchanges), however it’s finally inconsequential en path to the climax. I’ve different complaints relating to sure scenes and selections, which mess with my suspension of disbelief, however that may enterprise into the spoiler territory. Suffice it to say that the core plot seems to be extra easy than you’ll suppose, even when a lot of it stretches credulity.
“Some graphical points exist on PS5, like a dithering impact with shadows and odd anti-aliasing on “
characters’ hair. Regardless of the stable body price efficiency, each can show distracting at instances.
The voice actors do a adequate job with the supply, whereas Supermassive’s efficiency seize is on level as a rule. The identical goes for the environmental particulars – places can really feel restricted and considerably simplistic (exterior of an annoying maze-like part). Nonetheless, the stays of the Cedar Mill, varied graffiti adorning the partitions, and extra ugly bits, coupled with the lighting and shadows, assist contribute to the ambiance. The cinematography can also be respectable, although I discovered the voyeur-esque pictures when the kids have been returning to their storage, brief as they have been, to be one of the best.
Some graphical points exist on PS5, like a dithering impact with shadows and odd anti-aliasing on characters’ hair. Regardless of the stable body price efficiency, each can show distracting at instances. There have been additionally just a few bugs that took me out of the expertise, like one character’s loss of life glitching out and making them seem like paper mache, Jaime placing on a backpack whereas already carrying one, and the presence of a personality who ought to, by all means, not be in a scene. Fortunately, there’s nothing game-breaking and I can see these being addressed rapidly.
One facet that sadly can’t be “mounted” is the gameplay. By now, the gameplay loop will likely be acquainted to followers of Supermassive’s earlier titles. Sure cutscenes have selections to make, however you can even stroll round and discover some areas, fixing puzzles, gathering collectibles, and chatting with different characters. You will have quick-time occasions, some represented as Useless by Daylight-style talent checks, and it’s all pretty rudimentary. Nonetheless, the extra mechanics really feel misplaced or mind-numbingly simplistic.
If you suppose Useless by Daylight, what involves thoughts? 4 gamers are pitted towards a murderous killer, exploiting their atmosphere and using stealth to flee (in a nutshell, at the least). Ability checks come into play in numerous methods, like when repairing turbines. Hit the required space to restore, however lacking it should trigger the generator to make noise, attracting the killer. For those who can time the button press completely, repairs go by sooner.
“Then there are the digicam scenes, the place you intention the 8mm, press the set off and movie, sometimes winding it up. Given the context of those sequences, the entire mechanic comes throughout as boring and diminishes any potential scares.”
The Casting of Frank Stone carries that over, however with none risk (aside from maybe one scene – I didn’t fail it sufficient instances to search out out). You possibly can hold timing it completely and repairing it sooner, however that doesn’t matter. I additionally dislike the entire “trying to find components” facet as a result of (a) it’s repeated for each single generator restore, and (b) one part’s components are simply in plain sight, mitigating any sense of rigidity.
Then there are the digicam scenes, the place you intention the 8mm, press the set off and movie, sometimes winding it up. Given the context of those sequences, the entire mechanic comes throughout as boring and diminishes any potential scares. The one actual problem got here from the drift in my DualSense’s proper stick, which was, at greatest, a minor inconvenience.
The common puzzles are barely higher, however not by a lot. One part has pop-up notifications, the identical informing you of a destiny altering, annoyingly dictating each single step in a puzzle. One other sequence entails discovering valves to redirect steam jets to progress ahead. Discovering them is super-easy, however on replaying the part, I found you can’t simply collect the components and proceed. No, you could set off the identical cutscenes and work together with the identical issues once more. It might not sound like the most important deal, however when replaying chapters to make totally different selections, it turns into an annoyance
Talking of which, there’s the Slicing Room Ground, the place you’ll be able to revisit previous choices to try to receive totally different outcomes. It additionally helpfully signifies the proportion of gamers who opted for every alternative. I’ve performed my share of journey titles and visible novels, so that is appreciated. Sadly, you’ll be able to’t simply leap to the alternatives in query. It’s important to begin the chapter and hold enjoying till reaching the purpose of mentioned determination.
“But, regardless of the sheer vary of prospects within the horror style, the most important wrestle with The Casting of Frank Stone is discovering a lot of something that genuinely frightens or pushes the envelope.”
There’s additionally no skipping or fast-forwarding, rising the tedium ten-fold, to see one other consequence (which can not all the time be price it). What occurs if you happen to make a mistake sooner or later? Return to the start of the chapter and do it once more. Whereas the sport makes an attempt to separate the chapters sufficient, you continue to should endure a number of repeated cutscenes advert nauseam for a brand new consequence.
I mentioned that The Casting of Frank Stone doesn’t stand properly sufficient by itself, however there should be some enchantment for Useless by Daylight followers. Sure occasions hyperlink again to The Entity and its motives whereas barely increasing on sure factions. Unanswered questions stay about your complete course of resulting in the finale, however at the least it makes Behaviour’s lore considerably extra fascinating.
The Casting of Frank Stone may have supplied a novel traipse into Useless by Daylight’s world, combining Supermassive’s narrative remedy with the latter’s tense gameplay to cater to single-player followers. As an alternative, it opts for a similar gameplay mannequin seen within the developer’s earlier titles, with just a few barely fascinating hooks to liven issues up.
It’s dragged down additional by an underdeveloped solid and a story that leaves a lot to be desired when not confounding with its plot holes or punishing you for eager to pursue different paths. But, regardless of the sheer vary of prospects within the horror style, the most important wrestle with The Casting of Frank Stone is discovering a lot of something that genuinely frightens or pushes the envelope.
This recreation was reviewed on PlayStation 5.
