A Descent into the Asylum

The Stone of Madness is a roguelike horror experience that plunges players into the depths of a 19th-century mental asylum. With its procedurally generated layout and permadeath mechanics, the game promises a unique and harrowing journey into the human psyche. Does The Stone of Madness deliver on its promise of terror and intrigue, or does it succumb to the very madness it seeks to portray?

The Tormented Path

The Stone of Madness casts you as an inmate within the St. Estelle Sanatorium, a place where the lines between reality and delusion blur. The narrative unfolds through fragmented notes, cryptic dialogues with fellow inmates, and the ever-present atmosphere of unease. Each run through the asylum is a unique experience, thanks to procedural generation, with the layout, item placement, and enemy encounters shifting with every death.

Players must navigate the labyrinthine corridors, scavenging for resources, crafting makeshift tools, and evading the nightmarish entities that stalk the halls. The story is not linear but rather a collection of interconnected narratives, pieced together through exploration and observation. The story is told through notes, and conversations with NPCs, which are other inmates. The Stone of Madness has a dark and foreboding atmosphere and features two campaigns, one of which is set in a monastery, adding a unique flavour to the game’s environments.

The Tools of Survival

At its core, The Stone of Madness is a roguelike survival horror game. Players must manage their sanity, health, and resources while navigating the procedurally generated asylum. The game features a crafting system, allowing players to create items from scavenged materials. Stealth is crucial, as direct confrontation with the asylum’s denizens is often a death sentence. Sanity is a key mechanic, with exposure to disturbing sights and sounds leading to hallucinations and debilitating effects. The game features a permadeath system, meaning that death results in the loss of all progress, adding a layer of tension and risk to every decision. Players also have access to various abilities, such as “Bless,” and the option to extinguish flames to allow for a stealthy passage through dangerous areas, adding tactical layers to gameplay.

Visuals and Auditory Nightmares

The visuals, presented from an engaging isometric viewpoint, are designed to evoke a sense of claustrophobia and ever-looming dread. Despite using hand-drawn aesthetics, the dark and gritty art style, combined with the flickering candlelight and unsettling shadows, creates a unique and truly immersive atmosphere.

The audio design is equally effective, with chilling ambient sounds, unsettling whispers, and the distant cries of tormented souls. There are all major parts of the experience, with the unsettling sound effects and music enhancing the atmosphere.

The Endless Cycle

The procedurally generated nature of The Stone of Madness ensures a high degree of replayability. Each run through the asylum offers a unique experience, with different layouts, item placements, and enemy encounters. The permadeath mechanic adds to the challenge, meaning that players should learn from their mistakes and adapt to the ever-changing environment! The multiple endings and hidden secrets provide further incentive for repeated playthroughs, not to mention the fact that there are also five playable characters.

Conclusion

The Stone of Madness is a chilling and immersive roguelike horror experience that delivers on its promise of terror and intrigue. Its procedurally generated layout and permadeath mechanics create a truly unique and harrowing journey into the human psyche. While the difficulty may be daunting for some, those who persevere will be rewarded with a truly unforgettable experience, especially when you consider the unique visuals and clever use of the environment!

Grade: 8/10