Finding Frankie Review (PS5)
Summary: Finding Frankie is an original take on the horror genre that sees you sprinting and platforming towards the finish line and away from menacing mascots. Who knew combining the games of Fall Guys and the terror of Five Nights At Freddy’s would create such an ambitious, engaging, parkour inducing time? While the challenge is primitive and the ambition overall leaves some aspects of the game not feeling as fleshed out, Finding Frankie is definitely a game that everyone should at least try.
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Contest Control
Finding Frankie is a unique entry into the ever-growing mascot horror genre, blending fast-paced parkour mechanics with eerie game show horror. Developed and published by SUPERLOU, the game originally launched on October 25th of 2024, with console versions set to release on April 15th of 2025. While its core premise and aesthetic might seem familiar at first, Finding Frankie quickly sets itself apart with its emphasis on movement and speed, making it feel more like a twisted obstacle course than a traditional horror experience.
The setup is as absurd as it is intriguing. As one of four lucky individuals who discover a VHS tape in a box of Frankie Fruit Flakes cereal, you receive an invitation to Frankie’s Parkour Palace, a seemingly innocent game show hosted in a massive trampoline park. However, upon arrival, it becomes immediately apparent that something is wrong. What should have been a fun, lighthearted competition quickly turns deadly, and you find yourself in a desperate race, not just to win, but to survive. This premise cleverly taps into nostalgia for bizarre ’90s and early 2000s game shows, while also subverting expectations by turning it into a horror experience. The unfolding mystery of what Frankie’s Parkour Palace truly is remains engaging throughout, and while the game isn’t overly focused on deep storytelling, there are plenty of hidden clues and environmental details that add depth for those willing to explore.
Unlike most horror games that rely on slow, methodical movement and tense atmosphere, Finding Frankie prioritizes speed and precision. The core gameplay revolves around sprinting, wall-running, swinging on poles, sliding under obstacles, and hurdling barriers. This fast-paced movement system creates a thrilling experience where momentum is everything and if you hesitate for even a second, you’ll likely meet a gruesome fate. Oftentimes, not being sure of my movements or rethinking decisions left me plummeting into moving saw blades or slowed me down enough to get caught by whatever masked horror was chasing me.
Each challenge within Frankie’s Parkour Palace is designed to push your agility to the limit. Some sections feel like classic platforming obstacle courses, while others are more puzzle-oriented, requiring quick reflexes and careful planning to navigate successfully. A timer at the bottom of the screen tracks your progress, adding a layer of competitive play. Players who enjoy speedrunning will find plenty to love here, especially with the inclusion of global leaderboards, which encourage repeat playthroughs to improve times.
However, the game’s intense speed does have its downsides. The movement, while exhilarating, can be unpredictable at times. There were moments when I slid through walls or accidentally triggered multiple death animations at once; bugs that, while amusing, could be frustrating during serious runs. The controls also take some getting used to. The tutorial, rather than easing players into the mechanics, feels vague and somewhat confusing, making the initial learning curve steeper than it needs to be. That said, once I adapted, the movement became second nature and incredibly satisfying.
The world of Frankie’s Parkour Palace is a mix of vibrant, playful environments and eerie emptiness. Designed to feel like a massive game show set, the areas are filled with oversized trampolines, towering slides, and giant obstacle courses. Since you’re the only contestant left, what should be a lively and chaotic space instead feels unsettlingly vacant. While this atmosphere is clearly intentional, meant to reinforce the feeling of isolation and dread, some areas felt too empty to the point of being uninteresting. The level design shines brightest when you’re actively engaging with obstacles, but during quieter moments, the lack of environmental interaction makes the world feel somewhat hollow. A few more dynamic elements like remnants of past contestants or more interactive objects could have added extra layers to the experience.
Despite its horror label, Finding Frankie isn’t particularly terrifying in a traditional sense. Instead of relying on jump scares or grotesque imagery, the game’s tension comes from its high-speed chases and the looming threat of failure. The fear factor is more about the pressure of survival rather than outright terror, making it feel more like a Saw-style death game than a haunted house. That’s not to say the horror is nonexistent. The mascot characters, including Frankie himself, are designed with an unsettling charm, cheerful on the surface but deeply unnerving the longer you look at them. The game’s lighting and sound design also contribute to the uneasy atmosphere, with flickering neon lights and distorted announcements reinforcing the idea that something is very, very wrong.
Visually, Finding Frankie is well-crafted, featuring colorful, exaggerated environments that contrast sharply with its darker themes. The mix of funhouse aesthetics and ominous undertones works well, creating a setting that feels both inviting and menacing. The game’s character animations are also well done, with Frankie and the other mascots moving in an exaggerated, almost rubbery fashion that makes them both comical and creepy.
The audio design is another standout aspect. The soundtrack is packed with catchy, game show-style tunes that add to the illusion of a fun competition, while eerie undertones creep in during tenser moments. The voice acting is particularly impressive, giving each mascot character a distinct personality that makes them feel all the more unsettling. Rather than being mindless killers, they genuinely feel like hosts of a twisted show, gleefully encouraging your progress even as they try to ensure you don’t survive.
While Finding Frankie is relatively short, its speedrun mechanics and global leaderboards add a significant amount of replayability. The game actively encourages players to go back and improve their times, making it perfect for those who enjoy refining their runs. Beyond the speed aspect, there are also collectibles and secrets scattered throughout the game. These hidden elements provide additional lore and rewards for players who take the time to explore. One of my favorite aspects was how some collectibles were tucked away in areas that required advanced movement skills to reach, rewarding mastery of the game’s mechanics. One feature I loved was the ability to freely backtrack to previous areas, allowing players to revisit locations and uncover hidden details at their own pace. The particular detail in the game’s level structure is very appreciated, especially for a horror game of this caliber.
Final Thoughts?
Finding Frankie is a breath of fresh air in the mascot horror genre, trading slow and creeping terror for high speed action and skill based challenges. Its parkour mechanics set it apart, creating a gameplay loop that is both thrilling and addictive. While it has some rough edges with some glitches, control issues, and a tutorial that could use improvement, the overall experience is undeniably fun. If you’re looking for a horror game that prioritizes movement, competition, and adrenaline pumping chases over traditional scares, Finding Frankie is absolutely worth checking out. It’s short enough to finish in an afternoon, but its speedrunning potential and hidden collectibles give it lasting appeal. Whether you’re a horror fan, a platforming enthusiast, or just someone looking for a unique take on the genre, this is one game that’s worth the ride.
About the Author
Nay Clark Gaming holds a special place in my heart and I never stop talking about video games. I really love all types of games and have an interest in games that have complicated stories and lore because I enjoy untangling the mystery of it all. When I'm not gaming, I unsuccessfully try to control three amazing and incredibly bright kids.
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