Get ready to dive back into the grim and unsettling world of Pathologic. HypeTrain Digital announced that Pathologic 3, the highly anticipated sequel to the cult classic PC horror game, is in development and set for release on Steam in 2025. Developed by the original creators, Ice-Pick Lodge, Pathologic 3 promises to deliver a unique and horrifying experience for players.
For those unfamiliar with the series, Pathologic is a deeply atmospheric and challenging horror game where players take on the role of a doctor battling a deadly plague in a remote and isolated town. The first Pathologic, released in 2005, featured three playable characters: the Bachelor, the Changeling, and the Haruspex. While Pathologic 2, a remake/reimagining of the first game, focused on the Haruspex, Pathologic 3 takes a different approach, letting players embody the Bachelor, the first of the three characters to be explored in this new trilogy. This suggests that a potential Pathologic 4 would allow players to play as the Changeling, completing the trilogy and revisiting each of the original characters in a fresh and engaging way.
But Pathologic 3 doesn’t simply rehash the original formula. It introduces a groundbreaking time travel mechanic, allowing players to rewind or fast-forward through the 12 days of the plague. This innovative feature allows players to manipulate time and experiment with different strategies to save the town from the devastating plague. While this mechanic may be new, it draws inspiration from previous elements in the Pathologic series, as Pathologic 2 already featured a time reset mechanic that allowed players to retry their efforts to save the town. As game director Nikolay Dybowski said in a press release, “We can describe the concept of this mechanic as surrealist time management. Our goal is to give the player a sense that time is more complex than we typically perceive it—as a linear path.”
Another significant change in Pathologic 3 is the player’s relationship with the town’s inhabitants. Unlike Pathologic 2, where the Haruspex is on the run for suspicion of murder, the Bachelor starts as the town doctor in Pathologic 3, immersing players in the role of a physician tasked with making crucial health decisions for the people while battling the deadly plague.
The Pathologic series is renowned for its immersive and challenging gameplay. Prepare for a grueling experience, with clunky mechanics, an abstract narrative, and unnerving characters. However, this unique blend of horror, RPG, and immersive sim elements, coupled with its bleak and unforgiving atmosphere, sets Pathologic apart from any other game. If you’re a fan of challenging and immersive gaming experiences, Pathologic 2 is an excellent entry point into this captivating world, offering the most refined version of the series’ core ideas.
