"The Stone of Madness" is a real-time tactics game with stealth elements set in an 18th-century Spanish monastery. Developed by The Game Kitchen, known for the Blasphemous series, and published by Tripwire Presents, the game was released on January 28, 2025, and is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

Story and Setting

The game draws inspiration from the works of Spanish painter Francisco de Goya, particularly the painting A Scene from ‘The Inquisition Tribunal’. The setting is a Jesuit monastery in the Pyrenees, which serves as both an asylum and an Inquisition prison. Players control five prisoners: Father Alfredo Martin, Leonora Guzmán, Eduardo de Rojas, Agnes Santos, and Amelia Expósito—each with unique abilities and personal traumas. The objective is to explore the monastery, confront their fears, maintain sanity, and plan their escape.

Gameplay Mechanics

"The Stone of Madness" blends real-time strategy and stealth mechanics. Players must switch between characters to utilize their distinct skills, such as assassinating targets, distracting enemies, and accessing hard-to-reach areas. Managing mental health is crucial: each character has specific traumas and phobias that, when triggered, can lead to negative effects like paranoia or uncontrollable violence, impacting gameplay.

Art Style

The game features a unique hand-painted art style, animated frame by frame, inspired by 18th-century Goya-style artwork. The isometric perspective allows players to observe every detail, making it feel like stepping into a living painting.

Critical Reception

Early reviews have been generally positive, praising the immersive atmosphere and intricate gameplay mechanics. However, some criticism has been directed at technical issues, shallow dialogues, and intrusive animations that occasionally disrupt the gameplay experience.

Conclusion

"The Stone of Madness" delivers a unique gaming experience that blends strategy, stealth, and mental health management, all within a historical setting inspired by Goya’s art. Despite some flaws, it remains an intriguing adventure for fans of the genre.

To get a first look at the game, check out the official launch trailer:

"The Stone of Madness" is a real-time tactics game with stealth elements set in an 18th-century Spanish monastery. Developed by The Game Kitchen, known for the Blasphemous series, and published by Tripwire Presents, the game was released on January 28, 2025, and is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

Story and Setting

The game draws inspiration from the works of Spanish painter Francisco de Goya, particularly the painting A Scene from ‘The Inquisition Tribunal’. The setting is a Jesuit monastery in the Pyrenees, which serves as both an asylum and an Inquisition prison. Players control five prisoners: Father Alfredo Martin, Leonora Guzmán, Eduardo de Rojas, Agnes Santos, and Amelia Expósito—each with unique abilities and personal traumas. The objective is to explore the monastery, confront their fears, maintain sanity, and plan their escape.

Gameplay Mechanics

"The Stone of Madness" blends real-time strategy and stealth mechanics. Players must switch between characters to utilize their distinct skills, such as assassinating targets, distracting enemies, and accessing hard-to-reach areas. Managing mental health is crucial: each character has specific traumas and phobias that, when triggered, can lead to negative effects like paranoia or uncontrollable violence, impacting gameplay.

Art Style

The game features a unique hand-painted art style, animated frame by frame, inspired by 18th-century Goya-style artwork. The isometric perspective allows players to observe every detail, making it feel like stepping into a living painting.

Critical Reception

Early reviews have been generally positive, praising the immersive atmosphere and intricate gameplay mechanics. However, some criticism has been directed at technical issues, shallow dialogues, and intrusive animations that occasionally disrupt the gameplay experience.

Conclusion

"The Stone of Madness" delivers a unique gaming experience that blends strategy, stealth, and mental health management, all within a historical setting inspired by Goya’s art. Despite some flaws, it remains an intriguing adventure for fans of the genre.

To get a first look at the game, check out the official launch trailer: