The Stone of Madness is a new isometric tactical stealth game from The Game Kitchen, the developers behind Blasphemous. Set in an 18th-century Spanish monastery that doubles as an insane asylum, the game follows a group of inmates as they uncover dark secrets and attempt to escape. Players control a crew of five unique characters, each with their own specialized skills and abilities.
Alfredo, a holy man, can wear priestly robes to blend in with the clergy. Agnes, an elderly witch, can cast curses on unsuspecting guards. Eduardo, a silent giant, can move heavy objects and break down walls.
Amelia, a child, can sneak through narrow spaces, set traps, and pick pockets. Leonora, an agile climber, can scale walls, pick locks, and drop ropes to open new routes. The game operates on a day-night cycle, with daytime excursions focused on stealing resources, uncovering clues, and completing objectives in real-time.
At night, players use their time and crew’s skills to recuperate and plan their next move. As the day progresses, patrol routes change and malevolent spirits emerge, adding to the challenges and rewards of pushing one’s luck. Managing the characters’ health, suspicion ratings, and sanity is crucial to success.
Unraveling dark secrets
The game’s sanity system adds complexity, with each character having unique fears that drain their sanity meter. For example, Eduardo is terrified of darkness and needs Alfredo’s lamp for comfort, while Leonora fears fires, which bring Eduardo peace of mind.
The Stone of Madness embraces failure as an integral part of the experience. Unlike other stealth tactics games that allow constant saving and reloading, this game only saves automatically once a day is completed. Characters are also treated differently upon detection, with Alfredo getting fewer chances before being thrown back in his cell and soldiers chasing Amelia instead of shooting her.
Despite its promising ideas and compelling gameplay, The Stone of Madness is not without its flaws. Various bugs and glitches were encountered during the roughly 25-hour playthrough, including guards getting stuck on geometry and characters disappearing out-of-bounds. These technical issues, combined with occasional control problems, can detract from the overall experience.
However, the game’s artistic beauty and intricate setting help to offset these shortcomings. The gorgeous models and animations bring the 18th-century monastery to life, creating a memorable art style that complements the dark, gripping narrative. The Stone of Madness offers a unique take on the stealth tactics genre, adapting established formats to its setting and mechanics.
While technical issues may hinder the experience, the game’s emphasis on perseverance through incremental progress and its bold embrace of failure make it a compelling and challenging adventure. The Stone of Madness is set to release on January 28, 2025, inviting players to unravel the mysteries and horrors that lie within the walls of its haunting monastery.
