The Casting of Frank Stone: Should you go to the Drugstore or Curiosity shop first?

What seems like the first major decision you make in The Casting of Frank Stone quickly becomes a thing of the past as you leave the Drugstore and Curiosity shop behind to film your horror flick.

The Casting of Frank Stone is filled with choices that primarily affect where the conversation is heading. New discoveries and opportunities open up depending on the choice you make, but what about Chris’ decision between the Drugstore and Curiosity Shop? What feels like the first main choice the trio makes in The Casting of Frank Stone turns out to be nothing more than an opportunity to learn more about Frank Stone.

So, should Chris go to the Drugstore or Curiosity shop to fix the camera?

Should Chris go to the Drugstore or Curiosity shop in The Casting of Frank Stone?

On the surface, this decision seems like an important one. The main differences between these two locations are as follows:

• Drugstore: Jaime picks up the firecrackers if you visit this location first. Unable to repair the camera, the trio go to Endless Curiosities where you can haggle the price for the camera and a pocket mirror. As you didn’t meet the shopkeeper, she jumpscares you inside the store when you finish exploring. The trio are more wary of the shopkeeper.
• Curiosity shop (Endless Curiosities): You meet the shopkeeper at the door. The trio don’t make any passing comments about Augustine. Visiting the shop first prompts Chris to pop into the Drugstore for milk. Here, you can learn more about Frank Stone from Robert and Sam.

When choosing between the two, we recommend visiting the Drugstore first. This order gives you items you may need in the future, but their use depends on the choice you make when one of the ’80s characters is in danger. You can easily get a good ending without using the pocket mirror or firecrackers.

Do you need the pocket mirror or firecrackers in The Casting of Frank Stone? (spoilers)

The firecrackers are necessary if you wish to confront Frank Stone as Jaime. This is in Chapter Five when Chris is being pulled into the portal. The firecrackers save Jaime’s life, but Chris is still pulled into the portal. You can choose to flee from the scene, as both scenarios end the same way, but be mindful that confronting Frank Stone without the firecrackers gets Jaime killed.

Knowing the shopkeeper is Augustine (the antagonist) may ring alarm bells as she offers the mirror, having stated it’s a good luck charm. If Chris takes the pocket mirror and stays in 2024, she will die if you choose to leave via the projector.

Neither item is needed for the good ending, but the firecrackers keep Jaime alive, and the pocket mirror kills Chris. If Chris doesn’t have the mirror on her, you unlock (what is in my opinion) the best ending in The Casting of Frank Stone. But, this is only achieved if Chris doesn’t return to 1980.

Another layer to this choice is whether you persuade Bonnie (Jaime’s sister) to give you $10 or $20. The price of the camera always adjusts depending on how much money you have when you visit Endless Curiosities. But, if you only have $10 and visit the Drugstore first, then Jaime cannot buy the firecrackers. While that seems like a problem, it doesn’t matter to the story unless you plan on confronting Frank Stone as Jaime.

Regardless of which route you take first, the road always ends at the Curiosity Shop, as this is where you pick up the cursed 8mm camera.