Frank Stone’s Casting: An Underrated Formula for Crowd-Pleasing Collaborations Worthy of More Attention

As the autumn leaves began to fall, I set out to compile my shortlist of 2024 Game of the Year contenders. It was a challenging mix of the universally acclaimed games I hadn’t yet played and personal favorites I was eager to champion. One title that effortlessly made it into my personal top 10 was The Casting of Frank Stone—a choice solidly rooted in my own passion for storytelling.

From the outset, I didn’t need much convincing when it came to this game. Supermassive Games has consistently delivered horror experiences that I categorize as “good,” “great,” or “phenomenal.” Honestly, the only time I was a bit let down by them was during the climax of Little Hope, but that was a minor hiccup that I moved past quickly.

Even though my actual gameplay hours with Dead by Daylight aren’t monumental, my fascination with its lore has kept my interest alive. So, when I heard Supermassive was tackling a story mode spin-off of Dead by Daylight, I was thrilled—it felt like the perfect match.

As I delved into The Casting of Frank Stone, I wasn’t expecting groundbreaking innovation, just a satisfying narrative infused with the unique style of The Dark Pictures Anthology. Despite not making a massive impact globally upon its September 3rd launch (which happens to be my birthday, though that only adds a pinch of personal bias), it genuinely impressed me. Surprisingly enough, it might just be one of my top three favorites from Supermassive.

The game casts a haunting spell as it explores the linked destinies of five playable characters, spanning three time periods. Each is tied to a chilling series of murders in Cedar Hills, Oregon, and its resulting low-budget film adaptation. Piecing together these mysteries keeps you engaged, thanks to its atmospheric setting and diverse, choose-your-own-adventure gameplay. However, it’s a paradise for lore enthusiasts.

One area where The Casting of Frank Stone might stumble is in its finishing narrative twist. It’s a gut-wrenching moment that hits hardest if you’re somewhat familiar with Dead by Daylight’s expansive lore. I don’t view this as a shortcoming of the game itself; rather, it excelled in captivating fans of the original series (yes, that pun was intended). Yet, reflecting on its relatively quiet reception, I suspect this may partially explain why.

In a world where the entertainment landscape is often driven by commercial alliances and relentless copyright conflicts, I find myself rooting for collaborations like The Casting of Frank Stone. It epitomizes organic partnerships where studios explore a natural synergy of creativity. This kind of artistic collaboration, free from purely financial motives, feels nostalgic and refreshing.

Even if The Casting of Frank Stone didn’t win everyone’s heart, I hope more games in the future adopt its collaborative nature. And if your gaming passions align with Dead by Daylight and Until Dawn, there’s a chance it might just be your perfect Game of the Year too—it certainly came close for me.