When I kicked off my list of 2024’s contenders for Game of the Year this autumn, I found myself sifting through a mix of well-loved hits I still needed to try, alongside some personal favorites I was ready to champion. Up there in my top 10, very much in the latter category, was The Casting of Frank Stone.
Now, I’ll admit, selling me on this game wasn’t going to be difficult. Supermassive Games and their take on horror always hit home for me—whether it’s good, great, or downright amazing. Honestly, the only hiccup was during Little Hope’s finale, but even that didn’t bother me for long.
Even though I haven’t logged as many hours playing Dead by Daylight as I have in exploring its rich backstory, I still consider myself quite the fan. So, when Supermassive took on a Dead by Daylight story mode spin-off, it felt like an obvious win in my book.
I wasn’t anticipating a groundbreaking experience—just the idea of a Dead by Daylight narrative presented in the style of The Dark Pictures Anthology was enough for me. And although Frank Stone didn’t make a big splash when it released on September 3rd—an amusing coincidence that we share the same birthday—it impressed me more than I expected. In fact, it might just sneak into my top three Supermassive titles of all time.
The Casting of Frank Stone weaves a fascinating and dark tale, unraveling the interconnected stories of five protagonists across different eras, all tied to a haunting series of murders in Cedar Hills, Oregon. A low-budget student film based on these events adds another layer, making the mystery intriguing and keeping you guessing. The game is dripping with atmosphere and presents a good dose of choose-your-own-adventure elements, but it’s squarely aimed at those who love their lore.
The game’s major drawback, however, is its devastating narrative twist at the end, which lost some of its impact unless you’re familiar with the broader Dead by Daylight universe. It’s not that the game failed—it accomplished its goal of engaging the series’ fans. Still, it might explain why it didn’t grab wider attention.
In an age where franchised tie-ins often feel driven by profit over passion, and small creators struggle under the weight of corporate legal wrangles, The Casting of Frank Stone stands out. It’s an example of what can happen when studios collaborate out of genuine creative synergy rather than just for financial gain—something that feels almost nostalgically unique in today’s market.
Even if The Casting of Frank Stone didn’t resonate with everyone, I hope more games follow its lead. If, like me, your top gaming loves are Dead by Daylight and Until Dawn, then this could easily be your Game of the Year—in truth, it nearly became mine.
