The Stone of Madness lets you choose between two different campaign paths right after the prologue, the game’s training phase. What beginner players might not realize is that these two paths lead to entirely separate mission series, each offering unique twists on the story! It’s important to choose wisely, picking the path that won’t overwhelm you with puzzles and mysteries or the one that’s not too simple—if you are a hardcore player.
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If you want to find out which campaign in The Stone of Madness best suits your playing style and expectations, check out the following guide. It breaks down the differences between each route and recommends which one to start with based on your preferences.
The Stone of Madness Campaign Choice Explained
After discovering the strange madness stone, you must choose who to give it to: the Inquisitor from the Church or Panecillo, the mysterious trader. Each choice launches a different campaign with its own unique storyline.
|
Campaign |
Detail |
|---|---|
|
The Gate of Saint Jerome |
Starts with Panecillo and is longer |
|
The Corrupt Hands of the Church |
Starts with the Inquisitor and is shorter |
Each campaign consists of four chapters, and you’ll earn five achievements by completing each (ten in total).
The Gate of Saint Jerome
If you decide to give the stone to Panecillo, you’ll embark on a journey to escape the monastery. The key difference between this path and the Corrupt Hands of the Church is that this one takes longer to complete.
Campaign introduction: “The party will find a mysterious key, triggering a quest to uncover the inhabitants of the monastery’s dark secrets and to finally escape the accursed place through the most obvious route—the main entrance, the Gate of Saint Jerome.”
The Corrupt Hands of the Church
If you give the stone to the Inquisitor, you’ll begin investigating the corruption in the monastery, collecting evidence to report to the authorities, the Holy Office. This campaign is shorter than The Gate of Saint Jerome and follows a different path.
Campaign introduction: “The Inquisitor, taking advantage of the Abbot’s poor health, has taken de facto control of the monastery. Father Alfredo will soon discover that the inmates are in serious danger. Luckily, they can count on an unexpected ally.”
Who Should You Give the Madness Stone to?
It’s recommended that beginner players start with the Corrupt Hands of the Church campaign. This path is shorter and features missions that are more beginner-friendly. Additionally, it is a great way to familiarize yourself with the game’s mechanics, preparing you for the longer, more challenging missions on the Saint Jerome path.
The Best Way to Play The Stone of Madness’ Campaign
Ideally, start two save files and complete each prologue before diving into any campaigns. With these save files, you can first complete the shorter path (The Corrupt Hands of the Church) and then immediately switch to the other save file to tackle the more extended campaign (The Gate of Saint Jerome).
I highly recommend investing time in both paths, as they feature well-designed missions and enjoyable puzzles. If you’re short on time, though, go with the longer campaign, as it offers the closest experience to the full game.
Strategy
Real-Time Strategy
- Released
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January 28, 2025
- Developer(s)
-
The Game Kitchen
- Engine
-
Unity
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood, Sexual Content, Nudity
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Unknown
- X|S Optimized
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Yes