As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for Supermassive Games’ unique blend of storytelling and choice-driven gameplay, I must say I am thoroughly intrigued by their latest venture, “The Casting of Frank Stone.” Being a fan of both Supermassive and Behaviour Interactive’s works, the idea of a crossover that promises to delve deeper into the Dead By Daylight universe has me hooked.
Supermassive Games is set to release their upcoming horror masterpiece, titled “The Casting of Frank Stone“, on September 3rd for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This narrative-driven horror game shares a connection with the popular title “Dead by Daylight” and offers a fresh, original storyline along with distinct gameplay mechanics. Here are 15 essential facts to consider before making a purchase, ranging from its link to Behaviour Interactive’s universe to The Cutting Room Floor.
Cedar Hills
In the town of Cedar Hills, Oregon, a horrific event from the past, involving the well-known character Frank Stone, took place. Five friends decide to spend their summer in 1980 producing an independent horror film there. It doesn’t take long before it appears that they are being pursued by this man, forcing them to flee. However, things aren’t as they seem, and it becomes evident that there’s something much more sinister lurking beneath the surface.
Characters
The main characters, Christine Gordon, Jaime Rivera, Linda Castle, Robert Green, and Bonnie Rivera constitute the central group who embark on a journey to the mill. Prior to this, there’s an introductory scene in 1963 that appears to foreshadow subsequent events. Here, you take on the role of police officer Sam Green, investigating the location in search of a missing child, and it seems you may cross paths with Stone, as hinted by May’s gameplay trailer.
In previous years, there were several murders, such as a fire in Lakeview that took the lives of two, and violent incidents following a movie screening of “Murder Mill” at the theater (a poster for which was also found in the mill). It’s unclear how these events relate to Stone, but it’s clear there is some connection.
Frank Stone
The primary subject is the notorious serial killer Frank Stone, who wears a welding mask and employs brutal weapons such as hammers and blades on his victims. He also reportedly owns a meat hook, possibly for displaying his victims (reminiscent of Dead by Daylight). A preliminary design for a suit and mask (visible on the official site) labels him as a “Creature designed to cleanse the world.” Interestingly, some fans have speculated that they might see The Entity hidden behind Stone in one significant artwork.
As a die-hard fan, I found it intriguing when Goss shared with Bloody Disgusting that Stone’s name might be a clever play on words. Could it be a nod to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a creation brought to life by some malevolent force? Regardless, Supermassive has a knack for using titles with hidden meanings, and Stone seems to fit right in. Take The Quarry, for instance, which is certainly not about collecting rocks and sand.
Dead by Daylight Connection
The Frank Stone Casting doesn’t merely allude to Behaviour Interactive’s Dead by Daylight through elements like the Anna the Huntress mask or the distinctive generator. It additionally offers a unique perspective into the broader universe of the series. Director Steve Goss shared with Bloody Disgusting earlier this year, “A significant portion of the game deviates from the typical Supermassive style as we delve into a connection to the Dead By Daylight experience. There’s a sort of balance between these two aspects.”
Behaviour Interactive’s Dave Richard hinted at providing Dead By Daylight players with additional insights about the game’s universe. He mentioned a method that allows players to delve deeper into the Dead By Daylight world, which is something unattainable within the multiplayer experience.
Choice-Driven Gameplay
As a gamer, I’ve come to appreciate Supermassive Games for their intricate, choice-driven gameplay that can set off a chain reaction of unexpected outcomes based on a single decision. In the immersive world of The Casting of Frank Stone, my choices will dictate how the story unfolds. The dialogue I choose, whether it’s serious or concerned, subtly alters the path the narrative takes. It’s fascinating to see how these seemingly small decisions can shape such a complex and intriguing tale.
Anyone Can Die
Similarly to past developer creations such as “The Quarry”, “Until Dawn”, or “The Dark Pictures Anthology”, death is a possibility in this game too. It hinges on the choices you make, and at some point, a character might not make it to the end. This brings us to “Dead by Daylight” where The Entity has the power to resurrect Survivors, trapping them in a cycle of reliving their ordeals within its domains for eternity. We’ll have to see how this factor fits into the game’s lore as we move forward.
Puzzles
In the game developed by Supermassive and Behaviour Interactive, the intricate puzzles hidden within the environment haven’t been thoroughly explained yet. You’ll find yourself spending a good amount of time piecing together clues and investigating, which could prove useful when it comes to decision-making. Additionally, there are hidden items to discover throughout the game, though their role in the storyline remains a mystery at this point.
QTEs
In typical Supermassive Games fashion, you’ll encounter Quick Time Events (QTEs). This means reacting swiftly by pressing the correct button at the given moment or rapidly tapping one within a specified time frame to execute an action. Although this might not be entirely original, there’s another skill set that dedicated fans of their games will need to grasp.
Skill Checks
In Game Informer’s exclusive gameplay demonstration last month, it was evident that Dead by Daylight incorporates Skill Checks. While navigating through the mill’s underground passages, Sam experiences an unexpected pipe explosion. A Skill Check prompt then emerges, requiring you to press the button within the specified area of a circular bar. There’s also a smaller white section, and if your timing is precise, it can lead to a more favorable outcome.
The Camera
The handheld Super 8 camera, prominently featured by the cast, significantly impacts the plot in various aspects. This camera not only captures scenes from a first-person perspective (revealed in Game Informer’s final cover story), but also hints at potential future applications. Moreover, Supermassive Games has suggested the possibility of additional cameras for players to manipulate.
The Cutting Room Floor
After completing the game, you’re granted entry into The Cutting Room Floor, a collection of edited scenes displaying various choices made throughout the game. You can revisit specific moments here and make different decisions without having to start over. It’s also useful for finding any missed collectibles, making additional playthroughs optional (unless you prefer to pre-order for immediate access to the Plunderer’s Instinct, which helps locate hidden items). Owners of the Deluxe Edition get instant access to The Cutting Room Floor, offering a kind of guide to help manage outcomes, including the possibility of altering characters’ fates or watching them meet untimely ends for curiosity’s sake.
Storytelling Structure Similar to Until Dawn
While you won’t find as many divergent paths as in “The Quarry”, the game’s narrative style is reminiscent of “Until Dawn”. This structure offers multiple branches, suggesting a more concentrated focus that may lead to more impactful conclusions, contingent upon your decisions.
Unreal Engine 5
The Casting of Frank Stone is built using Unreal Engine 5, an advancement over The Quarry, which was developed with Unreal Engine 4. It’s leveraging technologies such as Lumen for advanced environmental lighting and Nanite for intricate geometry details. Art director Ollie Simmonds shared in a making-of video that it enables the team to incorporate their own scanning for photogrammetry, meaning they can directly import the scans without losing the high-quality detail and realism of their environments. In his words, “With Nanite, we simply drop it in, and we preserve all that stunning detail and authenticity in our settings.”
System Requirements
For PC gamers, this upcoming game will demand more advanced hardware compared to the developer’s past titles. Essential prerequisites are a Windows 10 64-bit version 1909 or later, or Windows 11, along with at least 70GB of storage space. The minimum system requirements call for an Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 CPU, 12 GB RAM, and either an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 or AMD RX 5700 XT graphics card. For a smoother gaming experience, it is recommended to have a Core i5-12400F or Ryzen 5 5600 processor, 16 GB RAM, and an RTX 3070 or AMD RX 6800 GPU instead.
4K, HDR10 and Ray Tracing
Although Supermassive has not detailed the exact specifications needed for 4K and ray tracing on PC, players using Xbox Series X (and by implication, PS5) can have a degree of confidence. The game’s listing on the Xbox Store verifies that it will support 4K and ray tracing as well as HDR10.
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2024-08-12 15:11