Ever since the cinematic choices ofUntil Dawnmade their debut, Supermassive Games has become the go-to publisher for narrative-driven horror. While some of its tales have fallen short at the last hurdle –Man of Medan, Little Hope– there’s always an intense experience awaiting in the shadows of each outing.
Sometimes they’re filled with teenage angst dripping with 80s nostalgia, while others are a darker exploration of unearthing ancient evils once lost to the sands of time. Variety has never been an issue for these games, however, ensuring the narrative doesn’t unsatisfyingly unravel has been.
Advert
Advert
The Murder Mill is the scene of the crime inThe Casting of Frank Stone
I’ll keep details narrative details light to avoid spoiling the experience for others because this is a game that should be experienced spoiler-free. That said, Iwilloffer you a little taste of what you can expect.
Advert
Advert
Narratively, there’s a lot of moving components here, culminating in a multifaceted collection of horror sub-genres. The most obvious is slasher, but to say thatThe Casting of Frank Stoneonly ticks that box does it a grave disservice. Alongside the grusome, inventive deaths, there’s an undercurrent of mysticism that instantly reminded me ofHouse on Haunted Hill(1999). A legacy is created that cannot easily be undone, one which may just cost the characters who try to fight back more than their lives. On that ominous note, I further implore you to begin your game, while also offering no more narrative insight.
Its dynamic twists and turns aren’t the only refreshing change of pace, so too are the new in-game features that serve to increase the tension. Traditionally, QTEs feature heavily, as do judgement-based sections where your ability to choose rather than relying on speed is tested. Both of these aspects still feature, don’t worry, but so do new in-game mechanics. There’s now a way to further help or hinder your experience via the magic of an 8mm camera. Similarly, it sounds like the scanner GAMINGbible’s Kate Harrold references in herThe Dark Pictures: Directive 8020preview, although with marked alterations. Having another tool at your disposal besides your quick thinking is a boon, but only if you’re able to successfully wield it. Just because you have an expanded arsenal at your disposal doesn’t guarantee safe harbour.
Ultimately, every live lost (and my god, there were more than I’d prepared myself for) was through my failings. I became all fingers and thumbs as I tried to hit the button at just the right time. Not to mention my desire to always help others proved my downfall time and again. Seemingly, being a horror fan since a young age has taught me nothing in the way of self-preservation.
Advert
Advert
Odd though it may sound, there’s a lot to enjoy aboutThe Casting of Frank Stone. Whether you delight in visceral displays or relish the moody atmosphere of a well-lit scene, there’s a lot of refinement to this Supermassive x Behaviour Interactive collaboration. Gritty, gripping, and entertaining, horror fans are sure to find themselves hooked. And while the exaggerated expressions of the motion capture create unsettling uncanny valley moments, this title is a feast for the eyes. A bloody feast.
The greatest issue I take with the game is that it isn’t longer. That and towards the end of the game, the chapters start to position players in a passive role rather than an active one. As the tension thickens, chapters become much shorter and lack interactivity; they act only as visual novellas rather than an environment you can control. An opportunity was definitely missed in adding more time-sensitive decisions.
Advert
Advert
Pros:Atmospheric, visually stunning, gripping story, intriguing new features
Cons:Relatively short, less interactivity towards the end
For fans of:The Quarry, The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me, House of Ashes
Advert
Advert
Score: 8/10 - Excellent
Topics:Reviews,PlayStation 5,Xbox Series X,Xbox Series S,Steam
