In this episode of Game Pass Grab Bag, the hosts dissect The Casting of Frank Stone — Supermassive Games’ latest narrative-driven horror entry set in the Dead by Daylight universe. Andrew, Keith, and Aaron explore the game’s ambitious storytelling, uneven pacing, and complex character relationships, while reflecting on how it compares to Supermassive’s earlier hits like Until Dawn and The Quarry.
What begins as a promising cinematic horror experience ultimately stumbles under the weight of its own ambitions — leaving players torn between intrigue and frustration.
Scores
Andrew: 67 – Pass
Keith: 70 – Game
Aaron: 67 – Pass
Average: 68.0
📌 Key Takeaways
- A narrative-driven, choose-your-own-adventure horror experience.
- Character relationships matter narratively but lack gameplay impact.
- Pacing issues slow down momentum with long, uneventful stretches.
- Connections to the Dead by Daylight universe feel minimal and underutilized.
- Voice acting is uneven, with a few standout performances.
- Missing the signature quick-time events that define Supermassive titles.
- The opening chapter sets expectations the rest of the game doesn’t fulfill.
- Visual design and lighting are strong but can’t save weak storytelling.
- Replayability offers different endings but doesn’t fix narrative gaps.
- Overall verdict: A missed opportunity that fails to capture Supermassive’s spark.
🎮 Gameplay & Mechanics
The Casting of Frank Stone embraces Supermassive’s hallmark style — cinematic storytelling where player choices shape the narrative. However, unlike Until Dawn’s pulse-pounding decisions, this entry lacks the same level of tension and consequence.
“I always start at a 75.”
The gameplay primarily revolves around dialogue choices, exploration, and cutscenes, with minimal interactivity. The absence of Supermassive’s signature quick-time events makes the experience feel oddly passive. While the multiple-choice format supports replayability, it struggles to maintain momentum in the game’s slower middle chapters.
The team also notes that while Frank Stone builds on Dead by Daylight lore, it doesn’t provide enough connective tissue to satisfy fans expecting direct crossover moments or recognizable characters.
🧠 Story & Character Dynamics
At its core, The Casting of Frank Stone is about relationships, regret, and moral ambiguity — but the execution is inconsistent. The protagonists are written as self-aware yet emotionally flat, making it difficult to connect with their journeys.
“This one falls short.”
The hosts critique the game’s pacing and tonal imbalance, with horror elements taking a back seat to overly long dialogue scenes. The tension spikes occasionally, but the emotional payoffs rarely land.
Despite its flaws, the narrative structure remains intriguing — branching paths and character deaths ensure that no two playthroughs feel identical. Yet, abrupt endings and unresolved subplots leave many players unsatisfied.
🎨 Visuals, Audio & Atmosphere
Supermassive’s production values are on display here. The lighting, motion capture, and cinematic presentation deliver the expected polish — but cracks start to show in facial animations and environmental detail.
The audio design succeeds in building tension, using subtle ambient cues and distant whispers to enhance the eerie tone. Unfortunately, the voice acting wavers between believable and melodramatic, occasionally breaking immersion.
Still, the game’s visual design — dark, moody, and cinematic — reinforces the psychological unease that Supermassive is known for.
💀 Themes & Execution
Frank Stone wants to be a meditation on guilt and legacy, exploring how trauma shapes perception. However, its narrative ambition outpaces its emotional depth. The hosts highlight that the story’s moral choices feel hollow, with many outcomes failing to meaningfully diverge.
“This was a pass for me.”
While the inclusion of Dead by Daylight lore adds curiosity, it doesn’t meaningfully impact the player experience. Instead, the game leans too heavily on its cinematic ambitions, leaving core gameplay underdeveloped.
🏁 Final Thoughts
The Casting of Frank Stone is a fascinating concept that never quite finds its footing. It’s visually strong, narratively ambitious, and steeped in atmosphere — but inconsistent pacing, shallow character development, and uneven writing hold it back.
Fans of Supermassive Games or Dead by Daylight lore may still find value in exploring this haunting world, but for most, it’s a cinematic curiosity rather than a must-play experience.
A narrative experiment that proves: even the best studios can miss the mark.
🔑 Keywords
Game Pass, Supermassive Games, Frank Stone, Dead by Daylight, narrative-driven games, horror games, video game reviews, choose your own adventure, gameplay mechanics, character development, visual design, narrative structure, character dynamics, plot twists, game ratings
🎙️ Sound Bites
- “I always start at a 75.”
- “This one falls short.”
- “This was a pass for me.”
