Tripwire Interactive and blasphemy The Game Kitchen developer has revealed The Mad StoneA new tactical stealth adventure for Switch set in 18th century Spain.
Launching early 2025The game focuses on the lives of ‘five abandoned prisoners’ who must work together to escape the confines of a monastery that is said to be both a prison and an asylum. Uniting to overcome corruption, violence and the threat of their own fears, the five characters will need to solve puzzles, search for clues and work to maintain their sanity.
We love the aesthetic of this one, and the gorgeous hand-drawn art style is said to be inspired by classical Spanish painter Francisco Goya. Admittedly, some of the animations look a little off – especially some of the walking/running animations – but we’re simply blown away by the environmental design and level of detail depicted.
Let’s take a look at the key features:
Escape from the Monastery: Control all five characters independently to aid their escape, taking care to preserve each member’s sanity as much as possible. As they explore the corridors and rooms of the monastery, they may discover useful tools or clues to aid their escape. They must avoid detection at all times, their jailors are not known for mercy.
Managing Madness: Each character has their own traumas and obsessions that contribute to their own madness. Managing their mental health will be crucial to their escape, using the character progression and regression system. Failure to maintain a character’s sanity can result in new negative traits including paranoia, amnesia, or violent outbursts.
Discover the secrets inside: Choose between two different escape plans, each with its own unique story, objectives, and surprises. These plans will run on a day and night cycle, separating the daytime action and nighttime preparations, giving the prisoners time to rest and recover. Most of the action will be best done during the day, even with the presence of guards, but the darkness of night brings unique opportunities and risks. There is a reason why most prisoners rarely venture out after dark.
Experience beautiful hand-drawn art style: Images in The Mad Stone meticulously hand-drawn and animated, inspired by 18th-century painter Francisco De Goya. The isometric perspective allows players to explore scenes and observe small details as if they were adventuring through a recreated Goya painting.
What do you think of this game so far? Are you adding it to your Switch wishlist? Share your thoughts in the comments.
