Summary
Pathologic 2is an indie game by developer Ice-Pick Lodge released in 2019 after a successful Kickstarter campaign, although, like the setting and plot of the game itself, the IP has a complicated history that stretches back much further. The firstPathologicwas released in 2005, and as an experimental and challenging title, garnered the status of a cult classic. Despite its name,Pathologic 2was actually more of a modern reimagining of the original than a true sequel, lying somewhere in the middle ground between a reboot/remake/remaster, and notably contained only one of the three main characters' storylines from the initial game.
Though the studio planned to complete the other two portions, there was a period of uncertainty afterPathologic 2’s uneven reception and sales, which at times pointed to the continuation of the project being in jeopardy. That was until recently, asIce-Pick has now officially announcedPathologic 3. This is exciting news for fans who were hoping for more from the franchise, and the details the studio has provided so far about its vision for the next chapter ofPathologiclend the upcoming entry a sense of being a more fully-fledged and robust followup.
A previously updated version of the original, known asPathologic Classic HD, was released in 2015, although it focused mainly on visual and QOL updates versusPathologic 2’s changes.
Pathologic 3 Has All the Ingredients to Be a Truly Worthy Sequel
Pathologic 2 Was a Compelling But Incomplete Experience
An intimidating and unforgiving title by design, described by Ice-Pick as a “pain simulator,“Pathologicpresents players with agrueling and difficult game experience. Marked by a foreboding and unrelenting atmosphere matched by its hardcore survival mechanics, the core loop revolves around the struggle to keep the main characters healthy enough to investigate the devastating disease ravaging the locale known simply as The Town, and save the surviving citizens by eventually procuring a remedy.
WhilePathologic 2kept the original’s striking artistic visionand oppressive feel, it was also essentially one third of the total package. The original had three central characters– the Haruspex, the Bachelor, and the Changeling, each with their own stories and perspectives. And althoughPathologic 2updated and streamlined some of the more antiquated designs, it focused solely on the Haruspex’s narrative. The fact that it lacked the other two made the entire experience feel disjointed and somewhat abrupt, as there was clearly much more to the world.
How Pathologic 3 Has the Potential to Be the Sequel the Series Deserves
Pathologic 3will feature the Bachelor as its protagonist, fulfilling the promise of providing the next storyline. More significantly, the information on its Steam page highlights an aspect completely new to the series, and one which holds a wealth of possibilities to expand on its already strange and twisted setting and characters. As described:
Daniil Dankovsky’s search for the secret of immortality brings him to a remote town gripped by amysterious plaguethat will destroy it in 12 days. It’s up to him to explore the town itself, its past, present, and future to find answers to numerous mysteries and try to stop the relentless epidemic.
Pathologic 3will thus introduce a big shakeup viatime travel as a central gameplay and narrative mechanic, implying that fans will be able to explore the surreal Town throughout various periods, potentially seeing radically different versions of it that are perhaps affected by their decisions in the plot through this new mechanic.
Given that deep and often unsettling philosophical and psychological facets are already ingrained inPathologic, this opens the door for the next entry to delve even further into these components.Pathologic 3could again provide fans with a unique and likely disturbing experience that builds upon its foundations, while taking them to greater heights in another warped presentation and exploration of its memorably strange characters and haunting world.
Pathologic 3is currently in development and planned for a 2025 release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Pathologic 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Pathologic 2 is a narrative-driven dramatic thriller about fighting a deadly outbreak in a secluded rural town. The town is dying. Face the realities of a collapsing society as you make difficult choices in seemingly lose-lose situations. The plague isn’t just a disease. you’re able to’t save everyone.The plague is devouring the town. The chief local healer is dead, and you are now to take his place. You’ll have to look for unexpected allies. The local kids are hiding something. Try playing by their rules.You only have 12 days.
