The mascot horror subgenre invariably has you operating away from varied cartoonish nightmares by means of 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 sturdy parkour components, makes an attempt to seek out out whether it is value it.
Arriving on consoles after a brief however profitable stint on PC, Discovering Frankie is the newest 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. Suppose Willy Wonka’s golden tickets and also you get the concept.
Nonetheless, immediately I’m confused. The gameshow is livestreamed however viewers can clearly see that nearly each contestant succumbs to a ugly loss of life, so why would anybody select to enter? Properly, 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 Recreation Present, Poppy Playtime and Garten of Banban; a first-person mascot horror sport the place there are mascots making an attempt to kill you, and people making an attempt that can assist you; if they are often totally trusted. However it throws on this parkour component 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 accessible 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 bought lots simpler after simply a short while. Which is simply as nicely, as a result of Discovering Frankie isn’t overly involved with ratcheting up stress; one of many first set items within the sport 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.
Most areas you discover could have numerous switches that have to be pressed inside a time restrict. It’s pretty normal stuff, nevertheless it’s with the position of those switches through which your parkour abilities 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 all the time been one thing creepy about these children’ toy telephones on wheels and that’s totally explored right here. Henry Hotline could not pose as persistent a risk as Frankie, however is the extra horrifying of the 2.
And even when not being chased by these two, loss of life is in every single place as you navigate by means of 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 sport that didn’t fairly make our record of video games we need 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 common sense of unease all through all of it.
To not point out the soundtrack that matches all moments within the sport completely. From the stress constructing, to the thumping finale and even the credit track; it’s large ranging and a whole lot 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.
Once you’re not chasing down Noob Noobs that remind of Pegwins, or climbing up a big construction making an attempt 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 nasty factor, however then not wholly authentic both.
And when you’ve completed, strive once more. Discovering Frankie is simply a brief sport, however repeat playthroughs are inspired. There’s a leaderboard the place your time may be in contrast with associates 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.
Say Cheese!
There are additionally collectibles to seek out and secrets and techniques to uncover should you enterprise even just a bit bit off the primary 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 rationale 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 will possibly and can gentle up one thing you’d quite want it hadn’t.
Extra Mascot Horror With A Twist
One other day, one other mascot horror sport releases on Xbox. The efforts that Discovering Frankie has gone to so as to differentiate itself from others works very nicely. The parkouring takes just a few goes to get used to nevertheless it shortly snaps into place and feels nice. You possibly can see the place issues through the design have been a bit rushed with some dodgy clipping between belongings however total, should 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 record.
And should you’ve but to provide 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
