Amnesia: The Dark Descent is, perhaps, one of the most traumatizing games from my childhood. I remember watching Felix ‘PewDiePie’ Kjellberg play it (Barrels!) because my mom wouldn’t buy it for me – rightfully so, I was far too young. While Pewds’ antics certainly made things more interesting, what really intrigued me was the insanity mechanic – watching it whittle away at your soul bit by bit was so enthralling. It’s a system that, if done well, can truly make a game, and this week’s Epic Games Store freebie, The Stone of Madness, manages to execute it perfectly.
Developed by The Game Kitchen (of Blasphemous fame), The Stone of Madness thrusts you into the heart of 18th-century Spain. Set in a monastery turned sanitorium that’s heavily inspired by the seminal works of artist Francisco De Goya, you are cast as five different prisoners who are all trying to escape. Suspended high in the Pyrenees and surrounded by guards, breaking free isn’t going to be easy.
Described as a “real-time tactical stealth game,” The Stone of Madness is equal parts strategy game and escape sim. You have two different plans that you can follow, and time moves continuously, meaning you’ll have to decide on the exact right moment to execute your schemes. While you’ll need to dodge the guards during the day, the specters that haunt the halls at night pose a greater threat to your characters’ sanities, so your planning has to be meticulous.
You’re able to cast spells as Agnes, slip through the cracks as Amelia, or simply rough up your targets as Leonora, with each of the five characters offering a unique playstyle. You’ll have to work out who’s best for what job, while understanding that one wrong move could see your plot foiled before it even begins.
As you weave through the shadows, stress ever-increasing, the darkness will slowly begin to creep into your soul. Akin to Amnesia, you’ll have to maintain your sanity if you want to execute your mission, and if you fail to do so, your trauma will surface. A scream of paranoia after curfew; a random bout of violence that attracts attention – if you let the demons out, they’ll come back to bite you, literally.
Viewed from the top down, The Stone of Madness is quite unlike any other game I’ve played. Layering pure strategy with both horror and stealth elements, getting it for free is an absolute steal. And that’s exactly what you can do if you move fast on this deal.
The Stone of Madness is currently free on the Epic Games Store, and will be until Thursday, April 23 at 8am PST / 11am EST/ 4pm BST / 5pm CEST. You can pick it up here.
While it’s a little bit janky in places, I really loved my time with The Stone of Madness. It’s not quite got the same acclaim as the Blasphemous series, but it’s a beautiful looking game with its own unique take on strategy. So go on: the darkness awaits. Will you answer?
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