Tripwire Interactive and Blasphemous developer The Game Kitchen have revealed The Stone of Madness, a new tactical stealth adventure for Switch set in 18th century Europe.
Starting at the beginning of 2025the game focuses on the lives of ‘five abandoned prisoners’, who must work together to escape the confines of a monastery said to be both a prison and a madhouse. United to overcome corruption, violence and the threat of their own fears, the five characters will have to solve puzzles, find clues and work to preserve their sanity.
We love the aesthetic of this one, and the stunning hand-drawn art style is said to be inspired by classic Spanish painter Francisco Goya. Admittedly, some of the animations look a little messy – particularly some of the walking/running animations – but we’re just blown away by the environment design and the level of detail shown.
Let’s take a look at the key features:
Escape from the monastery: Control all five characters independently to help them escape, making sure to preserve each member’s sanity as much as possible. As they explore the corridors and rooms of the monastery, they might discover useful tools or clues that will help them escape. They must avoid detection at all times, their jailers are not known for their mercy.
Manage the madness: Each character carries their own unique traumas and phobias that contribute to their own madness. Managing their mental health will be key to their escape, using a system of character progression and regression. Failure to maintain a character’s sanity can trigger new negative traits including paranoia, dementia, or bouts of violence.
Discover the secrets within: Choose between two different escape plans, each campaign featuring unique stories, objectives and surprises. These plans will run through a day and night cycle, separating day actions and night preparations, giving prisoners time to rest and recover. Most actions are best done during the day, even with jailers present, but the darkness of night offers unique opportunities and risks. There’s a reason most prisoners rarely venture outside after dark.
Experience the stunning, hand-painted art style: Visual elements in The Stone of Madness they are lovingly hand-painted and animated, drawing great inspiration from 18th-century artist Francisco De Goya. The isometric perspective allows players to explore scenes and observe minute details as if they were on an adventure through a Goya painting brought to life.
What do you think of this one so far? Will you be adding it to your Switch wishlist? Share your opinion with a comment.
