Review of “The Stone of Madness”

When it comes to real-time tactical stealth games, The Stone of Madness definitely carves out its own niche. Its artistic touch is distinctive yet pays homage to the familiar mechanics that fans of the genre expect. Set within the austere confines of an 18th-century Spanish Jesuit Monastery nestled in the Pyrenees, the game introduces players to a unique environment—part sacred, part asylum. This eerie setting serves as the backdrop for an intriguing mystery that unravels as you seek an escape and uncover the unsettling truths about this peculiar sanctuary and its inhabitants.

The game cleverly marries the puzzle elements and mechanics reminiscent of classic horror games with an art style that draws from renowned 18th-century Spanish artists and contemporary cartoonism. Verbalizing what makes The Stone of Madness tick is a challenge in itself. Its memorable religious themes, compelling character designs, and the inclusion of a sanity meter leave an impression, even if some aspects of its plot and gameplay made me yearn for a little more depth.

The Game Kitchen, the developer behind this title, is well-known for their knack for crafting haunting experiences steeped in religious symbolism. Their previous works, such as the 2019 Metroidvania game Blasphemous and its 2023 sequel, garnered praise for visual style and engaging combat. In those games, you play as the Penitent One, but in The Stone of Madness, your journey starts as Alfredo, a devout priest ensnared by a deceitful Inquisitor as he grapples with the sinister secrets of his newfound prison.

With an estimated 15,000 new video games flooding the market in 2024, standing out is an enormous challenge. The Stone of Madness manages to do just that, showcasing cinematics that are both polished and engaging, alongside a meticulous monastery backdrop that exudes realism. Its characters break the mold, steering clear of the usual tropes found in contemporary gaming. Take Agnes, for instance—a wizened old woman whose demeanor hints at a lifetime of harrowing experiences. Then there’s Eduardo, a middle-aged man, rendered speechless by the tortures of the asylum. As you progress, you’ll gather a party of five desperate to flee, each bringing unique skills, phobias, and abilities to upgrade. These fears, integral to the game, add a distinctive edge, showing how psychological distress can pose a bigger threat than any guard could.

The minor setback, however, is the absence of voice acting in most player interactions. Though this isn’t critical, it could have given certain scenes a more dramatic punch. Leonora, one of the group, stands out as the sole member capable of directly confronting the guards. Yet, her pyrophobia—a fear of fire, no less common in the monastery—limits her action, causing her sanity to dwindle if she lingers too close to flames. Each character grapples with their own phobia: Alfredo fears corpses, Amelia despises gargoyles, Eduardo dreads darkness. The challenge lies in maneuvering these vulnerabilities while stealthily evading guards and untangling complex puzzles—a task that sometimes left me feeling like I was losing grip on reality.

The Stone of Madness evokes the anxiety-inducing essence of titles like Darkest Dungeon and Eternal Darkness, both known for weaving fears and sanity into gameplay. As the sinister nature of the monastery comes to light, the danger of being caught transcends mere inconvenience, plunging players into nail-biting suspense. Although the game isn’t excessively lengthy, pushing through the sessions often required pause for a breather.

The main quest clocks in around 15 hours, but those aiming for 100% completion can anticipate closer to 30. Once you’ve assembled your escape team, you can gather nightly to upgrade skills, strategize, and manage gathered resources. Each day lets you pick who will venture out, tempting as it is to choose the formidable Leonora and Eduardo consistently. Yet, in this game, subtlety triumphs over brawn. Actions are conveyed through pictures rather than text, leaving room for brief uncertainty in deciphering. Plus, the time each action consumes isn’t always evident—leading to some unintended confrontations—but maybe that unpredictability is part of the charm, intensifying the challenge.

Though not catered to every gamer, The Stone of Madness beckons even the more selective players to dive in. Its enthralling art style and unsettling ambiance remain a highlight. Those unfamiliar with tactical strategy games might still be captivated by its story and environment. Granted, finicky controls need some ironing out, but the dedication poured into this game is palpable in every pixel. The Stone of Madness fuels a grippingly desperate journey, motivating players through every disorienting twist with an adrenaline-fueled pursuit of truth. What lies hidden within the monastery’s walls is worth unearthing, promising an experience from The Game Kitchen you won’t soon forget.

The Stone of Madness is slated to release on January 28, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, Switch, and Xbox Series X. This review was based on a PC version provided by Game Rant.