The mascot horror subgenre invariably has you working away from varied cartoonish nightmares by tight and winding corridors. That’s not a sweeping assertion, that’s a reality.
So, how does one buck the pattern? Discovering 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 newest in a protracted 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 just about each contestant succumbs to a grotesque dying, so why would anybody select to enter? Effectively, how does a grand prize of $5,000,000 sound?
Solely this time it seems that Frankie and his friends have upped the ante, as a result of they’ve change into sentient and sinister.
PARKOUR
Discovering Frankie follows an identical pattern to the likes of Billy’s Sport Present, 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. But it surely throws on this parkour factor and a few extreme verticality that not solely *cough* elevates *cough* it above different related titles, however captures that liminal horror essence that can be all the fad.
A brief tutorial is out there 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 acquired quite a bit simpler after simply a short while. Which is simply as nicely, 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 nicely.
A world to discover
Most areas you discover can have a lot of switches that have to be pressed inside a time restrict. It’s pretty commonplace stuff, however it’s with the location of those switches by 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 all places as you navigate by 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 recreation that didn’t fairly make our checklist of video games we wish 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 normal 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 music; it’s huge ranging and a variety of enjoyable.
Imitation Is The Highest Kind 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 gained’t be alone on this however 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 barely a brief recreation, however repeat playthroughs are inspired. There’s a leaderboard the place your time may be in contrast with mates 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.
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’d 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 transportable unit known as Deputy Duck who can use a radar to seek out objects and likewise flash like a digital camera and light-weight up darkish areas. Solely watch out the place you’re pointing the flash as a result of it could possibly and can gentle up one thing you’d fairly 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 with the intention to differentiate itself from others works very nicely. The parkouring takes a number of goes to get used to however it rapidly snaps into place and feels nice. You possibly can see the place issues through the design had 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 will probably 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 provide right here.
Your Hyperlinks
Discovering Frankie: Mascot Horror Will get a Parkour Twist in New Console Launch – https://www.thexboxhub.com/finding-frankie-mascot-horror-gets-a-parkour-twist-in-new-console-release/
Purchase Discovering Frankie on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/video games/retailer/finding-frankie/9P87DHLSDVVG
