Pathologic 2

Pathologic 2 offers a hauntingly bleak tale, then does its best to stop you from experiencing it.

A gruelling mystery game that smothers its big ideas with dour survival mechanics.

At its heart, Pathologic 2 is a frustrating game. Ten times more interesting than your average immersive sim (probably the genre it belongs), yet hundreds of times less inviting.

Pathologic 2 is a surrealist drama wrapped in a survival game's tattered clothes. It's frustrating and haunting all at once. It's also one of the most atmospheric games ever made. Every element of Pathologic 2 – the persistent plague, delightfully twisted dialogue, and punishing survival mechanics – come together to form an intensely memorable experience. Is it fun? Not really. Is it brilliant? Almost certainly.

I thought I would enjoy Pathologic 2, but its needlessly mundane and cruel systems take too much away from its otherwise interesting and strange world.

Pathologic 2 is extremely unpleasant and crushing to play, but that is seemingly the entire point. The thought and effort poured into the balance of all the economies to make every action carry immense weight took courage from the developer. Haruspex are healers with a single purpose and live to save lives, but living does not come so easily in Pathologic 2. Those who are fascinated by the prospect of an immersive survival game where the fun is trying to make the best out of a losing situation will find this worth their time. Just keep an eye on your blood pressure while playing.

Pathologic 2 is undoubtedly a fascinating game that stands out from others thanks to its focus on moral dilemmas, survival, and psychological elements. Although it suffers from some technical issues, such as poor optimization and frustrating survival mechanics, its strong narrative and atmospheric elements make it an interesting project worth checking out, especially for fans of dark adventure games. Overall, I would recommend the game to those who enjoy story-driven games with tough choices and a dense atmosphere. For others looking for carefree entertainment, this game might be too challenging and frustrating. Pathologic 2 is a game that requires patience and, in return, rewards you with a unique and unforgettable experience.

Tedious mechanics wore down my love for its creepy atmosphere and intriguing mysteries

Pathologic 1 & 2 are masterpieces of games as art. They are cruel and disturbing, but ask unique questions and do things you won't see anywhere else. These are singularly unique experiences that are worth suffering through.

Pathologic 2 is survival horror at its most challenging and rewarding. A horror game which plagues you both literally and psychologically. It certainly isn’t for everyone but it is a testament to what games can be at their best. Story telling gold. Whilst it isn’t fun, it isn’t meant to be.