Finding Frankie Review | TheXboxHub

The mascot horror subgenre invariably has you operating away from numerous cartoonish nightmares via tight and winding corridors. That’s not a sweeping assertion, that’s a reality.

So, how does one buck the development? Finding Frankie, a mascot horror with robust parkour parts, makes an attempt to seek out out whether it is value it.

Mascot horror with a twist!

Arriving on consoles after a brief however profitable stint on PC, Discovering Frankie is the most recent in an extended line of horror titles that can confuse YouTube age restrictions. You’re the newest contestant within the Discovering Frankie gameshow after discovering a particular invitation in a field of Frankie’s cereal. Assume Willy Wonka’s golden tickets and also you get the thought.

Nevertheless, immediately I’m confused. The gameshow is livestreamed however viewers can clearly see that nearly each contestant succumbs to a ugly dying, so why would anybody select to enter? Nicely, how does a grand prize of $5,000,000 sound?

Solely this time it seems that Frankie and his buddies have upped the ante, as a result of they’ve turn into sentient and sinister.

PARKOUR

Discovering Frankie follows an analogous development to the likes of Billy’s Game Show, Poppy Playtime and Garten of Banban; a first-person mascot horror recreation the place there are mascots attempting to kill you, and people attempting that will help you; if they are often totally trusted. However it throws on this parkour aspect and a few extreme verticality that not solely *cough* elevates *cough* it above different comparable titles, however captures that liminal horror essence that can be all the craze.

A brief tutorial is obtainable to point out you the ropes. It takes a little bit of getting used to however after channelling my Mirror’s Edge muscle reminiscence it obtained rather a lot simpler after simply a short while. Which is simply as effectively, as a result of Discovering Frankie isn’t overly involved with ratcheting up rigidity; one of many first set items within the recreation entails the compulsory chase sequence. And from there, the stage is ready with some actually tense moments because the music swells and a few fairly efficient jumpscares as effectively.

Finding Frankie Review 2 — A world to discover

Most areas you discover could have a variety of switches that must be pressed inside a time restrict. It’s pretty commonplace stuff, nevertheless it’s with the location of those switches through which your parkour expertise will come into play.

Frankie isn’t alone in his makes an attempt to dismember you both. Henry Hotline quickly joins the fray; arguably scarier than Frankie. There’s at all times been one thing creepy about these youngsters’ toy telephones on wheels and that’s totally explored right here. Henry Hotline might not pose as persistent a menace as Frankie, however is the extra horrifying of the 2.

And even when not being chased by these two, dying is in every single place as you navigate via the parkour park. One second would require you to seek out two keys to open a door however has you exploring some actually creepy locations. The waterpark part immediately reminded of POOLS, a game that didn’t quite make our list of games we want to see on Xbox in 2025, however that doesn’t imply we don’t nonetheless need it. The excessive ceilings, winding waterslides and only a basic sense of unease all through all of it.

To not point out the soundtrack that matches all moments within the recreation completely. From the stress constructing, to the thumping finale and even the credit tune; it’s extensive ranging and a number of enjoyable.

Imitation Is The Highest Type Of Flattery

Contrasting the waterpark is the trampoline park which might be subsequent to one another. At this level, Discovering Frankie seems to borrow closely from one other title: Fall Guys. That solely continued into the ultimate sections.

While you’re not chasing down Noob Noobs that remind of Pegwins, or climbing up a big construction attempting to beat the rising slime, the ultimate showdown will certainly really feel acquainted: A big platform consisting of hexagons that disappear when stepped on. After all, you received’t be alone on this nevertheless it nonetheless looks like a carbon copy of some Fall Guys ranges. Not essentially a foul factor, however then not wholly unique both.

And when you’ve completed, strive once more. Discovering Frankie is just a brief recreation, however repeat playthroughs are inspired. There’s a leaderboard the place your time may be in contrast with buddies and different gamers. My first completion of two and a half hours felt commendable till I noticed the highest time of lower than ten minutes. Actually doable although for the speedrunners on the market.

Finding Frankie Review 3 — Discovering Frankie or Fall Guys?

Say Cheese!

There are additionally collectibles to seek out and secrets and techniques to uncover in the event you enterprise even just a bit bit off the principle path. At one level I discovered the CEOs workplace hidden away that I might have explored a bit extra completely had I not been such a scaredy cat.

Discovering Frankie’s use of lighting was the explanation for that and must be talked about. At one level you get entry to a small moveable unit referred to as Deputy Duck who can use a radar to seek out objects and in addition flash like a digicam and lightweight up darkish areas. Solely watch out the place you’re pointing the flash as a result of it could possibly and can mild up one thing you’d relatively want it hadn’t.

Extra Mascot Horror With A Twist

One other day, one other mascot horror recreation releases on Xbox. The efforts that Discovering Frankie has gone to so as to differentiate itself from others works very effectively. The parkouring takes a couple of goes to get used to nevertheless it rapidly snaps into place and feels nice. You’ll be able to see the place issues throughout the design have been a bit rushed with some dodgy clipping between property however general, in the event you’re a fan of those mascot horror video games that preserve popping up, Discovering Frankie shall be one other so as to add to your checklist.

And in the event you’ve but to present one a strive, there are far, far worse than what’s on supply right here.