| The Casting of Frank Stone | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gameplay & Story | Release Date | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
The Casting of Frank Stone is Behaviour Interactive’s newest interactive story-based game centered around player choice and a gripping story about a serial killer. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
The Casting of Frank Stone Review Overview
What is The Casting of Frank Stone?
The Casting of Frank Stone is a thrilling cinematic experience with an expansive, branching storyline and choose-your-own-adventure-style gameplay mechanics. In this game, every choice you make has consequences, no matter how small, creating an intricate web of stories that can shift with each decision. You’ll step into the shoes of multiple characters, all entangled in the aftermath of Frank Stone and the atrocities he committed at the old Cedar Hills Mill—now infamous as the "Murder Mill " in urban legend.
As you and your friends finish your passion project, you’ll uncover untold horrors or confront unknowable forces lurking in an old mansion in Europe, leading to terrifying twists and turns that define The Casting of Frank Stone.
The Casting of Frank Stone features:
⚫︎ Expansive branching storyline
⚫︎ Replayable choose-your-own-adventure storytelling
⚫︎ Dead by Daylight easter eggs
⚫︎ Quick-time events and mini-games
⚫︎ Cutting-room Floor content for alternate story endings
⚫︎ Couch Co-op
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about The Casting of Frank Stone's gameplay and story.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||||
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 Steam |
 PSN |
 Xbox |
 Epic Games |
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| $39.99 | |||||||
The Casting of Frank Stone Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Made For Dead by Daylight Fans Dialogue-writing Masterclass Great Accessibility Options Stellar Performances All Around |
Story Takes Its Time Few Visual Glitches to Iron Out |
The Casting of Frank Stone Overall Score - 90/100
Cinema and video games offer distinct approaches to artistry and storytelling, yet The Casting of Frank Stone blurs the line between the two in ways I never thought possible. While the game does have a few bugs and glitches that need addressing, its captivating cinematography, enthralling writing, and astonishingly good world-building are as undeniable as they are legendary. Movie adaptations of video games rarely hit the mark, but this feels like a movie turned video game done right.
The Casting of Frank Stone Story - 10/10
I had high expectations when I saw The Casting of Frank Stone brought together the creators of Until Dawn and the publishers of Dead by Daylight—and it didn’t disappoint. This gripping, spine-tingling tale is a masterclass in narrative design, featuring amazing character dialogue, a richly detailed setting, and some of the smoothest storytelling I’ve encountered in years. Supermassive Games once again proves their expertise in crafting compelling narratives, while Behavior Interactive delivers the perfect finishing touch yet again, making this experience one horror experience you won’t soon forget.
The Casting of Frank Stone Gameplay - 8/10
The Casting of Frank Stone isn’t focused on complex gameplay mechanics or competitive skill; it’s all about interactive storytelling. In that regard, it largely succeeds, weaving a compelling narrative with just enough gameplay to keep it from feeling like a feature film. However, it’s not without its flaws. Some glitches still need ironing out—nothing game-breaking, but noticeable enough to detract from what is otherwise an exceptional experience.
The Casting of Frank Stone Visuals - 9/10
A story like The Casting of Frank Stone wouldn’t be nearly as impactful without top-notch visuals to back it up. Fortunately, the game delivers some of the best character and set design, along with impressive 3D animation work, that I’ve seen in a while. While a few visual glitches keep it from being flawless, they’re rare enough that they don’t significantly take away from the game’s overall visual quality.
The Casting of Frank Stone Audio - 10/10
The voice acting in this game is nothing short of stellar, with performances that are truly award-worthy across the board. There’s no substitute for top-tier voice talent, and it’s clear the developers knew this, delivering a game filled with film-quality performances from industry professionals. To top it all off, these exceptional voiceovers are perfectly complemented by music and sound effects that would put many horror movie productions to shame.
The Casting of Frank Stone Value for Money - 8/10
While this game is absolutely worth the price, it’s clear it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. The story unfolds at a slower pace, and the gameplay is light on action. If you’re expecting something in the vein of Behaviour Interactive’s other title—the one with serial killers—you might be setting yourself up for disappointment. However, for those who appreciate a more thoughtful, choose-your-own-adventure experience, this is a must-buy.
The Casting of Frank Stone Review: Absolute Cinema
When a game boasts a "true cinematic experience," it often falls short due to the inherent challenges of the medium. Player interaction isn’t just encouraged—it’s essential, ensuring the game doesn’t devolve into a feature-length cutscene. Even those that succeed, like the recent God of War reboot, intersperse their storytelling with plenty of high-octane action, which is great for gameplay but not always the most immersive narrative experience. Enter The Casting of Frank Stone, a self-proclaimed "true cinematic horror experience" brought to life by the only developer-publisher team capable of pulling it off: Supermassive Games and Behaviour Interactive.
Let me put your doubts to rest right away: the promise of The Casting of Frank Stone is not just fulfilled—it’s exceeded. This game has plenty to boast about, starting with its exceptional cinematography. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With outstanding writing, immersive world-building, stellar voice acting, period-accurate set design, authentic dialogue, and one of the most captivating serial killer narratives I’ve come across in a long time, it truly shines on all fronts.
Now that we’ve covered the highlights, let’s rewind the reels, roll the tape, and dive into the grim and gory details of The Casting of Frank Stone.
Naturally, we’re starting with the story—because, frankly, none of the other aspects deserve to be discussed first. The Casting of Frank Stone delivers a phenomenal narrative set in a fictional town that spans two concurrent timelines. This horror thriller delves into the life and death of the titular serial killer and the lingering impact of his actions across history. Players take the role of multiple characters across different eras, including Linda, Chris, Jaime, Maddy, and Linda again—this time older and changed by the events of the past.
In the present timeline, a Scooby-Doo-esque mystery unfolds as Maddy, Stan, and an older Linda find themselves summoned to Europe by an eccentric movie collector obsessed with their copies of Murder Mill—a film based on the twisted tale of Frank Stone. Meanwhile, the past timeline follows a younger Linda and her friends as they struggle to complete their passion project, a film that would become Murder Mill, set in the notorious location where Frank Stone was brought down in the 1960s. Untold forces simmer beneath both narratives, intertwining in unexpected and chilling ways that keep you guessing at every turn.
As you navigate both the past and present storylines, you’ll face decisions in a choose-your-own-adventure-style screen, with each choice, no matter how insignificant, shaping the story’s direction in major ways. To those who’ve played Supermassive Games’ other title, Until Dawn, this "Butterfly Effect" premise may be all too familiar. What sets The Casting of Frank Stone apart from that game is its tone, which is equal parts dark and wacky, with a little bit of retro styling thrown in for good measure. The game also features a few mini-games along the way (Dead by Daylight’s influences for sure), the success or failure of which can also determine the course of the story—think of it as a decision made not by you, but by your reflexes and critical thinking.
That’s about all I can reveal of the story without diving into major spoilers—but it’s also about the extent of the gameplay, as The Casting of Frank Stone is primarily a narrative experience. This focus might not appeal to players accustomed to Behaviour Interactive’s bigger, action-oriented titles, but the game finds its strength in immersive storytelling, rich character development, and remarkable replayability.
Indeed, every decision you make can be revisited in subsequent playthroughs, allowing you to explore different outcomes—or from the outset if you opt for the premium edition. The game even provides a guide to all the potential permutations of the story, highlighting which decisions lead to each path—a godsend for completionists like myself. Of course, if you prefer to let the dice fall as they may, you can skip this feature and enjoy uncovering the mystery on your own terms.
When it comes to quality, there’s a lot to unpack about The Casting of Frank Stone, especially in terms of its presentation. I’ve already raved about the story, but the writing deserves special mention for its brilliance. The dialogue is not only period-accurate but also incredibly relatable, bringing the characters to life in a way that feels authentic and engaging as the story unfolds.
And speaking of characters, they wouldn’t be nearly as endearing without the game’s stellar cast of voice actors, whose performances are nothing short of award-worthy. Combine this with cinematography that rivals actual horror films, stunning HD graphics, smooth animations, and world design that’s truly worth experiencing, and you have a game that brings the video game medium closer than ever to achieving true cinematic artistry.
Of course, no game is without its flaws. Despite its stunning presentation and captivating story, The Casting of Frank Stone isn’t immune to a few minor hiccups. The game is peppered with visual and mechanical glitches, particularly within its menus and collectibles, with the Dead by Daylight easter eggs standing out as a notable issue. Asset loading times can also be slower than expected, occasionally resulting in jarring transitions between scenes. While these issues are infrequent enough that they don’t detract significantly from the experience, they’re still prominent enough to warrant mention.
Overall, The Casting of Frank Stone is a masterpiece in many respects. Though it hasn’t fully overcome all the inherent challenges of the video game medium, it’s made incredible strides in doing so—dare I say, Hitchcock would be proud. Missing out on this brilliant blend of gaming and cinema would be a real shame, so don’t let this one slip by.
Pros of The Casting of Frank Stone
| Things The Casting of Frank Stone Got Right |
|---|
|
Made For Dead by Daylight Fans Dialogue-writing Masterclass Great Accessibility Options Stellar Performances All Around |
Made For Dead by Daylight Fans
Even with fewer serial killers and eldritch horrors than they might be used to, The Casting of Frank Stone feels like a love letter to fans of Dead by Daylight. This fandom, no stranger to fan service thanks to the endless cameos they've enjoyed over the years, will find plenty to adore here. The game is packed with easter eggs, tonal nods, and even some familiar mechanics that clearly draw inspiration from Dead by Daylight. Behaviour Interactive knows how to reward its loyal players, and they’ve done it again with this title, blending homage and innovation in a way that’s sure to resonate deeply with the community.
Dialogue-writing Masterclass
If there's any game deserving of my admiration for its dialogue, The Casting of Frank Stone would be high on that list. I should’ve seen it coming—Supermassive’s Until Dawn is already a favorite of mine in this regard—but I didn’t expect them to pull off another masterpiece. Yet here we are, in 2024, blessed with another masterclass in character and dialogue writing.
What sets this game apart is how each character feels so distinct, so perfectly crafted, that my immersion was never once broken. Every word, every action, feels tailored to who they are, to the point where I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the screen whenever they were speaking. And the best part? The dialogue choices aren’t just superficial—they’re internally consistent. A shift in tone between two choices in the same conversation might provoke a puzzled reaction from the other characters, grounding the experience even more.
It’s a game that’s not just well-made but masterfully written, with every possible story permutation feeling as inevitable and complete as any other. Now, find me a choose-your-own-adventure book that can pull that off.
Great Accessibility Options
I’m particularly pleased to discover that this game offers a robust suite of accessibility options, making it possible for fans of all abilities and skill levels to dive into the same thrilling cinematic horror experience. These options cover everything from basic difficulty adjustments to customizable vibration settings, the ability to disable challenging mechanics, and even color, brightness, and saturation settings for the visually impaired. It’s a testament to my belief that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the beauty of cinema, and The Casting of Frank Stone goes above and beyond to make sure that happens.
Stellar Performances All Around
If good writing is half the battle in creating a memorable character, then a stellar performance is the other half, and the cast of The Casting of Frank Stone absolutely nailed it with their voice-acting. I was especially impressed by Tobi Bakare and Lucy Griffiths, who brought Sam Green and Linda to life with remarkable depth and nuance. The motion-capture actors deserve just as much praise—the way each character moves adds layers to their personalities, making them feel even more real. It’s truly an ensemble of outstanding performances across the board!
Cons of The Casting of Frank Stone
| Things That The Casting of Frank Stone Can Improve |
|---|
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Story Takes Its Time Few Visual Glitches to Iron Out |
Story Takes Its Time
This isn’t necessarily a downside—more a matter of personal preference—but the game’s pacing might feel too slow for some players. I enjoyed it as well, but it was right on the edge of the speed I could tolerate before I started craving more excitement. There’s really no way around it, though. The story’s structure requires some setup and a good deal of exposition, and while the exposition is delivered with nuance, the setup just takes time. If you’re in it purely for the action and big reveals, this game might not be your cup of tea and that’s okay! Just don’t expect what isn’t there.
Few Visual Glitches to Iron Out
The only thing keeping this game from earning a perfect visual score is the presence of a few noticeable glitches related to collectibles and scene transitions. Some collectibles don’t display properly when held or viewed in the menu, and the game occasionally struggles to keep up during transitions from one speaker to another. While these issues aren’t game-breaking, they’re worth mentioning, especially given how impressive the rest of the game’s visuals are.
Is The Casting of Frank Stone Worth It?
Definitely, If You’re Into This Kind of Game
The Casting of Frank Stone is an amazing game that’s well worth its price—though it may not be for everyone. It appeals to a very specific niche of players, and unfortunately, that niche is relatively small compared to most other genres. At $40, it’s a significant investment for a game that leans more toward an interactive movie than a traditional gameplay experience. While many players buy it for that exact reason, it might still be more movie than game than they expect.
As for the deluxe or pre-order editions, they’re not the most enticing offers. Most of the bonus content is also accessible in the standard edition after your first playthrough, and the rest are just basic cosmetics. But if that’s enough to pique your interest, then by all means, go for it.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam |
PSN |
Xbox |
Epic Games |
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| Price | $39.99 | ||||||
The Casting of Frank Stone FAQ
Is The Casting of Frank Stone Set in the Dead By Daylight Universe?
Yes. According to the game’s developers, The Casting of Frank Stone is set to give a never-before-seen look at the wider world of the Dead by Daylight universe.
How Do I Activate the Alternate Costumes Bonus from The Casting of Frank Stone Deluxe Edition?
Alternate costumes from the game’s Deluxe Edition can be activated through the main menu settings.
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The Casting of Frank Stone Product Information
 | |
| Title | THE CASTING OF FRANK STONE |
|---|---|
| Release Date | September 3, 2024 |
| Developer | Supermassive Games |
| Publisher | Behaviour Interactive Inc. |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam, Epic Games), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S |
| Genre | Adventure, RPG, Horror |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Rating | RP |
| Official Website | The Casting of Frank Stone Official Website |
