The cult classic survival horror game Pathologic 2 is getting a sequel, Pathologic 3, publisher HypeTrain Digital announced. Developed by Ice-Pick Lodge, Pathologic 3 is slated for a 2025 release on Steam. This new installment promises a fresh perspective on the series’ signature blend of horror, RPG, and immersive sim elements.
The original Pathologic, released in 2005, allowed players to choose between three healers: the Bachelor, the Changeling, and the Haruspex. Pathologic 2, while numerically a sequel, acted as a reimagining of the original game, focusing on the Haruspex. Continuing this pattern, Pathologic 3 shifts the narrative to the Bachelor, leaving the Changeling’s story for a potential Pathologic 4. Each character possesses unique backstories and connections to a town plagued by a devastating illness and social unrest, with the player tasked to find a cure within 12 days.
Pathologic 3 retains the core premise of its predecessors but introduces a time-bending twist. Players can now manipulate time, rewinding or fast-forwarding through the critical 12-day period to achieve the “best” possible outcome. While this mechanic is new to the series in this form, the concept of time manipulation isn’t entirely unfamiliar. Pathologic 2 begins with the Haruspex failing to save the town and being granted another chance, effectively resetting time.
“We can describe the concept of this mechanic as surrealist time management,” game director Nikolay Dybowski explained in a press release. “Our goal is to give the player a sense that time is more complex than we typically perceive it—as a linear path.”
Beyond time manipulation, Pathologic 3 distinguishes itself through the Bachelor’s unique standing within the town. Unlike the Haruspex, who is suspected of murder in Pathologic 2, the Bachelor appears to be embraced as the town’s physician. Players will “immerse themselves in the role of a physician,” making crucial health decisions for the townspeople and battling the plague on their own terms.
The Pathologic series is known for its challenging gameplay, abstract storytelling, and unsettling atmosphere. Its unique blend of genres and bleak tone sets it apart from other games. While Pathologic 3 promises a new experience, players unfamiliar with the series are encouraged to explore Pathologic 2 on Steam for a taste of the series’ distinctive style and mechanics.
