Pathologic, the acclaimed plague-themed horror collection from developer Ice-Decide Lodge, is returning for a 3rd instalment, this time slinging time journey into its gruelling, emotionally draining mixture of deliberately dispiriting survival and haunting theatrics.
The newly introduced Pathologic 3 is one thing of an oddity in that it is technically, kind of, the second chunk of Pathologic 2 – itself a half sequel and half (much-improved) remake of Ice-Decide Lodge’s cult-classic 2005 authentic. Pathological 1 – which, as with all entries within the collection, charts the sudden decline of a wierd, small city on the sting of the Russian Steppe because it slowly succumbs to a mysterious plague – memorably had three playable characters and three distinct routes by way of its 12 days of accelerating distress: that of Artemy Burakh (the Haruspex), Daniil Dankovsky (the Batchelor), and Clara (the Changeling).
Attributable to monetary considerations, nonetheless, solely the Haruspex path made it into Pathologic 2, and whereas Dankovsky did seem because the protagonist in a brief standalone episode, titled The Marble Nest, his full path will now be the main focus of Pathologic 3 – albeit considerably expanded.
Dankovsky is a younger physician and knowledgeable in thanatology who travels to Pathologic’s mysterious city at first of the outbreak so as to advance his analysis on demise. As with the Haruspex’s path, Dankovsky has 12 days to cease the plague, utilizing all of the instruments of his medical commerce. He can, explains Pathologic 3’s Steam web page, look at potions and diagnose illnesses, cross-check signs and prescribe remedies, impose quarantines and curfews, confiscate medication, vaccinate the inhabitants, deploy patrols, and extra.
Crucially, although, Dankovsky now additionally wields the ability of time, and might journey ahead to witness the longer term, or go backward to right errors of the previous. “Something you see can inform a narrative and develop into a bit of your psychological map of the world,” explains Ice-Decide. “Discover the city for brand new insights, discover particulars, and join the dots. Uncover the secrets and techniques of the city’s inhabitants. Form their tales, determine their fates, and speak to their shadows.”
And that is just about all the pieces we find out about Pathologic 3 proper now, however the present plans is to launch it for PC a while subsequent 12 months.
