Finding Frankie is a thrilling yet fleeting parkour horror show that nails its concept but leaves you wanting more
Game show horror premise and pacing
Finding Frankie masterfully blends the vibrant aesthetics of game shows with horror elements, creating a uniquely compelling experience that sadly ends too quickly. As a contestant who found a special tape in their Frankie's Fruit Flakes cereal box, you're thrust into a twisted reality show that combines parkour challenges with survival horror.
The premise is refreshingly different from typical mascot horror games. Instead of the usual abandoned pizzeria or toy factory, Finding Frankie takes place in a colorful, active game show environment. You're competing in "Frankie's Parkour Palace," a sinister competition run by a corporation desperate to save itself from bankruptcy. The setup feels like a dark mashup of Fall Guys and Squid Game, where the stakes are literally life and death.
The narrative unfolds naturally as you progress through the game show's stages, with the corporate horror elements gradually revealing themselves. While the story isn't particularly deep, it provides just enough context to keep you engaged and wondering what twisted challenge awaits around the next corner.
Parkour mechanics and tension design
The core gameplay loop centers around parkour mechanics and evasion. You'll find yourself mantling over obstacles, grinding along pipes, and wall-jumping through various themed sections of the park. The movement system strikes a good balance - it's accessible enough for most players to grasp quickly while still providing some satisfaction when you chain moves together smoothly.
The parkour elements are integrated well with the horror aspects. Nothing quite matches the tension of hearing Frankie approaching while you're mid-way through a challenging sequence of jumps. It does a great job of making you feel both empowered by your mobility and vulnerable when faced with its threats. The parkour works well with a controller, even though it's a bit weird for the first couple minutes. Like the biggest "issue" I had at first was the pipe jump. Was a bit awkward to do at first since you are supposed to press the button when you get to the pipe, but the timing felt a bit off. That's a tiny issue though and doesn't take away from the experience and it's probably going to get patched in a future update if it hasn't already.
Visuals, audio, and PS5 performance
Visually, Finding Frankie is a treat. The game show setting allows for some fantastic environmental design, with bright, cheerful colors contrasting sharply against darker, more sinister elements. The lighting particularly stands out, creating atmosphere through the interplay of neon game show aesthetics and darker, more ominous shadows. And it runs excellently on the PS5.
The sound design deserves special mention. The upbeat game show music seamlessly transitions into more threatening tones when danger approaches, and the audio cues for Frankie's presence are genuinely unsettling.
Finding Frankie is a creative and engaging horror game that successfully carves out its own niche in the genre. Its unique setting, solid mechanics, and strong presentation make for an memorable experience. However, it can be completed in around 90 minutes. In fact I managed to complete it in 85 minutes, getting the top leaderboard spot and I wasn't even trying.
While every minute of that playtime is engaging and well-designed, the price point might give some players pause. Sure, it's a complete, polished experience with no filler content, but it's over before you really get a chance to master its systems. For players who value quality over quantity and don't mind paying for a shorter, more concentrated experience, Finding Frankie delivers an entertaining and unique take on the mascot horror genre. Just don't expect it to keep you occupied for more than an evening. Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a PS5 via a code provided by the publisher. Finding Frankie is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
