Stonemachia

Stonemachia stands out for its personality, atmosphere, and original ideas. Not technically flawless, yet it delivers a solid, engaging soulslike that leaves a lasting impression.

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. But I felt that it’s very approachable even for a newcomer to this genre. It’s fun to play, it offers a lot of different ways to experiment, and best of all, it’s just a pleasure to plow through enemies, become stronger and tackle the game’s intense bosses. Yes, it does have some quality-of-life issues, like the lack of fast travel. I also encountered some bugs like getting stuck in a pole or the scenery while attacking enemies. But those are not dealbreakers and they certainly don’t deter the overall experience. Stonemachia is a game that brings a unique touch to the genre, with great bosses, an interesting world and exciting lore. And thankfully, it’s also fair difficulty-wise, so it respects your time as well.

Stonemachia is a brutal and visceral dark fantasy that bravely strips away RPG bloat to focus entirely on a masterfully crafted, Sekiro-inspired parry system. Despite some structural missteps - such as the baffling lack of fast travel - its unsettling Italian folklore setting, shape-shifting combat mechanics, and relentless rhythmic swordplay make it an uncompromising and deeply rewarding experience.

Stonemachia is one of those games that manages to win you over more with its personality than with its technical execution. The Italian setting reimagined in a gothic key, the chess piece transformation system, and a top-tier soundtrack build a strong and recognisable identity.

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.

Unfortunately—particularly during certain boss battles—progress is made more through trial and error than through informed strategy. After a while, you realize that striking a specific arm yields no effect, that an enemy attack lands slightly sooner than visual cues would suggest, and that your own offensive has actually connected even in the absence of clear on-screen indicators. With a dash of practice and a bit of patience, it is possible to partially mitigate these two issues; however, they inevitably—and significantly—mar the overall enjoyment of the experience.