The horror genre is filled with instant classics such as Dead by Daylight, the Resident Evil series, Silent Hill, and many more. Since its release, DBD has taken the world by storm, with its unique 4v1 multiplayer gameplay and various successful collaborations.
Given its massive popularity, It was only a matter of time before we heard something about its single-player spinoff. Enter The Casting of Frank Stone, developed by Supermassive Games. This spin-off game puts players into the depths of an Oregon steel mill. However, it seems that the game may have gone into the rabbit hole of many horror movies and games before it: the industrial plant setting.
The Casting of Frank Stone: Exploring the Industrial Horror Setting
Abandoned Industrial settings in horror movies or games are always enticing as they have an innate quality of huge spaces filled with shadowy corners, old ratling machinery, and stretched-out spooky corridors. Due to this trope, this setting is used in many movies such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and Aliens (1986), that have already set the standard.
With this much familiarity, the horror setting has become more and more predictable (used in many movies and games), which makes it less terrifying. The Casting of Frank Stone risks falling into this trap, where the familiarity may make the players not see the game’s true potential.
Dead by Daylight is known for its diverse and imaginative horror settings, from roaming the haunted forests to clearing abandoned hospitals. These might be considered a classic trope as well but DBD brought a twist with its multiplayer perspective(4v1) and engaging gameplay. The Spinoff doesn’t have that advantage as it is a single-player horror game.
However, The spinoff has one big advantage in its developers, Supermassive Games. These developers are known for their immersive storytelling and have produced many beloved horror titles like Under Dawn, House of Ashes, and The Quarry. So, the game has the potential to bring new gameplay dynamics and narrative possibilities.
Innovation and Challenges in Horror Tropes
In horror games, the environment plays a crucial part as it is the main element that creates a sense of fear and suspense in the player’s mind. If players already know the setting (Like an abandoned factory), they are more likely to anticipate when the horror scene is coming, rather than be surprised by it.
To the game’s credit, it looks like the developers are trying to incorporate the industrial setting with a distinct atmosphere and a very deep narrative (Trailers). If they work their magic again and deliver the game with extra finesse, the game has the potential to deliver some epic scares.
In the end, DBD’s spinoff game, The Casting of Frank Stone may have picked a familiar horror trope: industrial plant setting. However, the real test of its success lies in how effectively it can innovate this trope and deliver an original horror experience.
