The popular open-world horror role-playing game is getting a sequel

Pathological 3 was officially announced. The sequel to the popular open-world horror RPG promises to add to the ever-growing catalog of surreal games for PC and consoles.

The development of the Russian studio Ice-Pick Lodge, the original Pathological hit the market in 2005 and quickly became a cult following thanks to its intoxicating atmosphere, compelling writing, and unusual premise that revolved around saving a disease-ridden town. The disturbing psychological horror game was created on its own engine. It was later remade in Unity with some additional features as well as a number of notable omissions, and publisher TinyBuild released the project in 2019 as Pathological 2.

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Pathologic 3 Announced for 2025

Now the open world horror RPG series is set to continue Pathological 3which was officially announced in early October 2024. While the third entry in the franchise will still be made by the same developers, it will be published by Cypriot company HypeTrain Digital. The game is currently slated for a 2025 release as it's confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Pathologic 3 Stars the Bachelor

While the first Pathological featured three playable characters, its reboot-sequel only allowed players to step into the shoes of one of them, the so-called Haruspex. Another member of the original trio, The Bachelor, is now set to star Pathological 3. Therefore, the upcoming game can be seen as a continuation of Ice-Pick Lodge's efforts to complete Pathological 2which always intended to remake all three stories from the first series. But releasing the Bachelor's campaign as a stand-alone entry rather than paid DLC makes it easier for the Russian studio to make notable graphical improvements, such as those seen in the game's demo trailer.

In terms of gameplay differences, Pathological 3 will feature a time travel mechanic that the developers have already experimented with Marble nesta Pathological 2 DLC released in late 2019. This ability is said to be the Bachelor's main advantage in his fight against an epidemic that has engulfed the mysterious city in which the new game is (still) set, allowing him to relive key events and change them to his advantage.

Besides adding depth to the classics Pathological looping gameplay of time management, the ability to rewind time is also part of the surreal themes of survival horror. “Our goal is to make the player feel that time is more complex than we usually perceive it to be – as a linear path,” said Ice-Pick Lodge founder Mykola Dybowski. Seeing how Pathological 2 is still widely touted as one of the best non-linear horror games ever made, the arrival of its even more convoluted sequel is sure to be exciting news for many fans of the genre.

Pathological 2

Pathologic 2 is a dramatic thriller about fighting a deadly epidemic in a secluded countryside. The city is dying. Face the realities of a collapsing society by making tough choices in seemingly lose-lose situations. Plague is not just a disease. You can't save everyone. A plague is devouring the city. The chief local doctor has died, and now you have taken his place. You will have to look for unexpected allies. The local children are hiding something. Try to play by their rules.

You only have 12 days.

Time is of the essence: if not managed carefully, it will simply run out. You will have to choose how to spend these precious minutes.

In this survival thriller, you will need to control your bodily functions by compensating for hunger, thirst, exhaustion and so on. It does not come down to simply gathering resources, as surviving on your own is difficult; you will need to win allies. A tough battle. Controlling the parameters of your body may seem tolerable at first, but it becomes more and more difficult as time goes on. Your own body is just waiting for an opportunity to give up and betray you.

Things are going from bad to worse and the odds are against you.

Your main enemy is the plague itself, a disembodied and malevolent entity that you must defeat… without the means to do so. It is more powerful and more insidious than you can imagine. L

oot, kill, mug, steal, barter, beg… or not. You need resources to survive, and how you get them is up to you. Fights are short, unattractive and brutal. However, they are not always fatal. Many people—including you—would rather trade their wallet for life.

systems

Released

May 23, 2019

Developer(s)

Ice Peak Lodge

Publisher(s)

tinyBuild

Engine

unity, unity 5

ESRB

t

How long to beat

27 hours

OpenCritic rating

Fair

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