Source of Madness, the latest game from Carry Castle and Thunderful Publishing, might take some getting used to. The player-character moves in a responsive but oddly floppy manner, the hub world can be overwhelming, and certain elements of the spell-slinging combat system are not explained right off the bat. Even the art style, which is impressive, doesn't have the same universal appeal as other roguelites like the BAFTA-winning best-seller Hades, and some might even find it unsettling or unpleasant. However, for those who take the extra few moments to get used to it, Source of Madness could be one of the best roguelites of the year.
After a short tutorial, players are sent head-first into the creepy and uncanny world of Source of Madness, where they will be accosted by countless Lovecraftian monsters depicted in the grotesque manner fans of this horror genre have come to expect. These monsters can be dispatched through the use of various magical rings that can be found during each run. These rings deal different damage types such as poison, fire, and arcane, but within these broader categories are even more variables such as fire rate, area of effect, and alternate attacks. There is a surprisingly wide variety of rings to uncover, contrasting with other roguelites like Loot River that feel unfinished.
While Source of Madness's cosmic horror aesthetic is unique, it's combat is what truly sets it apart from other games of its genre. After getting a hang of the controls, it quickly becomes clear just how much experimentation and variety is available through these collectible rings; each hand gets a single ring, and no two rings are incompatible, so players can mix and match rings with different fire rates, effects, and attack types to fit a certain play style. For example, players can double-up with rings that deal consistent and lower rates of damage, weaving in and out of dangerous areas and offering more flexibility. There are countless other ring combinations available, and the result is a combat system that always feels fresh and exciting, even after a dozen or more hours in, setting it apart from other recent indie games like Wildcat Gun Machine, which has combat that gets stale almost immediately.
These powers are buttressed by Source of Madness's other collectibles and passive buffs, which offer assorted boosts to health, damage, resistances, and more. These items, alongside new rings, can be discovered almost constantly during runs, so players have plenty of options when it comes to stat-tweaking and optimization. Players also collect Blood and Evenstar, which are currencies that can be spent on permanent upgrades and new abilities in the hub world.
Aside from the game's peculiar and eerie aesthetic, there are a few miscellaneous issues that might hold it back from greatness for some players. It can be easy to get stuck under enemies or fallen structures, especially before upgrading the dash ability, which can lead to frustrating moments. Additionally, while the game is mostly balanced throughout, there can be odd difficulty spikes, especially in the second act. Post-launch difficulty tweaking similar to that of fellow 2021 indie darling Sifu might do Source of Madness good in the long run.
These smaller issues pale in comparison to what Source of Madness gets right. The gorgeous 2D art style, atmospheric music, and crunchy sound design underpin a combat system that is deep and rewarding, and is sure to keep surprising players deep into their time with the game. For gamers searching for a gratifying roguelite filled to the brim with passion and creativity, Source of Madness is more than worth the cost of admission.
Source of Madness is currently available on Nintendo Switch and PC. Screen Rant was provided with a PC code for the purposes of this review.