Stonemachia
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Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Stonemachia
Stonemachia is the kind of debut that makes me still believe in indie gaming.
Stonemachia is a fun action-leaning souls-like to play, but it probably won’t become the next breakout indie sensation.
Stonemachia is one of those games that a lot of soulslike players will try to pick up automatically, as they want more content in this exciting genre.
Stonemachia isn’t perfect. The lore can be difficult to follow, and the challenge level is definitely going to turn some people away. If you’re looking for a straightforward story or a casual experience, this probably isn’t the game for you. But if you enjoy difficult combat, mysterious worlds, and games that aren’t afraid to try something different, there’s a lot to like here. What I’ll remember most isn’t a specific fight or a specific location. It’s the feeling that the game had its own ideas and wasn’t afraid to build around them. The chess transformation system alone makes it worth paying attention to, and combined with the strong art direction, interesting lore, and satisfying combat, it creates an experience that stuck with me more than I expected.
Stonemachia is a very bold debut, which stands out not so much because it reinvents the soulslike genre, but because it filters it through a powerful cultural identity and truly memorable art direction. It boasts excellent ideas in its combat system, a fascinating world and a highly impactful soundtrack, but it still suffers from some stiffness in its level design, backtracking and technical polish. Overall, however, it remains a little Italian gem, imperfect but full of personality, which deserves attention from anyone looking for an out-of-the-ordinary dark fantasy action game.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Stonemachia works despite these issues because it's ambitious. It's a game that feels like it was made with a clear artistic vision in mind, not just following a list of trends in the genre. There's a lot to like about this game for people who like exciting action RPGs with moody settings.
Stonemachia transports us to a distorted version of Milan, a fantasy world inspired by Italian architecture and the world of chess. Crossfall Games’ concept is highly original, even as it builds upon the established foundations of the soulslike genre, though at times it reveals some rough edges and a lack of attention to detail. However, the foundations for building an excellent future title are all there, and we hope the studio will surprise us with their next project!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Stonemachia is clearly far from perfect, but it has all the makings of a small cult classic.
Review in Italian | Read full review
