# Pathologic
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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pathologic.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathologic
> Source revision: 1343077077
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
{{Short description|2005 video game}}
{{Other uses|Pathology (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Pathologic
| image = Pathologic.jpg
| developer = [Ice-Pick Lodge](/source/Ice-Pick_Lodge)
| publisher = {{Video game release|RU|Buka Entertainment|UK|G2 Games
GMX Games}}
| platforms = [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows)
| released = {{vgrelease|RU|June 9, 2005|UK|August 18, 2006}}'''Classic HD'''{{vgrelease|WW|October 29, 2015}}
| genre = [Survival](/source/Survival_game), [role-playing](/source/Role-playing_video_game)
| modes = [Single-player](/source/Single-player)
| director = Nikolai Dybowski
| artist = Eli Goren
Ilya Kalinin
Evgeniya Dashina
}}
'''''Pathologic''''' ({{lang-rus|Мор. Утопия|Mor. Utopiya|ˈmor ʊˈtopʲɪjə||More. Utopia}} – a [pun](/source/pun) on [Thomas More](/source/Thomas_More)'s ''[Utopia](/source/Utopia_(book))'' and the Russian word for "plague, pestilence" (мор)[{{cite interview |subject=[Ice-Pick Lodge](/source/Ice-Pick_Lodge) |first2=Nikolay |last2=Dybowski |interviewer=Oleg Chimde |script-title=ru:«Иногда выгоднее проиграть войну, чем выиграть её»: большое интервью с Ice-Pick Lodge о «Море» |trans-title=«Sometimes it's better to lose a war»: a big interview with Ice-Pick Lodge about «Pathologic» |section-url=https://shdwp.github.io/icepick-dtf-interview/#onpathologic |url=https://dtf.ru/gamedev/65410-inogda-vygodnee-proigrat-voynu-chem-vyigrat-ee-bolshoe-intervyu-s-ice-pick-lodge-o-more |website={{ill|DTF (website)|lt=DTF.ru|ru|DTF}} |script-section=ru:О «Море» |trans-section=On Pathologic |translator=Vasyl Horbachenko |access-date=28 September 2021}}]) is a 2005 [survival](/source/Survival_game) game developed by Russian studio [Ice-Pick Lodge](/source/Ice-Pick_Lodge). The game was released in Russia by [Buka Entertainment](/source/Buka_Entertainment) in June 2005, followed by a localised English release from G2 Games and GMX Games in 2006. An updated version, ''Pathologic Classic HD'', was developed by General Arcade,[{{Cite web |title=Pathologic Classic HD |url=https://generalarcade.com/project/pathologic-classic-hd/ |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=General Arcade |language=en-GB}}] published by [Good Shepard Entertainment](/source/Gambitious_Digital_Entertainment), and released in October 2015. A remake of the Haruspex route was developed by Ice-Pick Lodge in the [Unity](/source/Unity_(game_engine)) game engine and released as ''[Pathologic 2](/source/Pathologic_2)'' in May 2019 by [tinyBuild](/source/tinyBuild). A second remake reimagining the Bachelor route, ''Pathologic 3'', was released on 9 January 2026 by HypeTrain Digital.
== Gameplay ==
left|thumb|A district in the Steppe
The player can select one of the three playable healers listed by their honorifics: '''The Bachelor''' (Daniil Dankovsky), '''Haruspex''' (Artemy Burakh), and The Devotress, Klara (later re-translated as "'''The Changeling''', Clara"). Only the former two may be played at the beginning of ''Pathologic'', as Clara must be unlocked after completing the game with either the Bachelor or Haruspex. The questlines which are available will depend on the character that is being played. The other unselected characters are present in the town throughout each others' storylines, who at certain points in gameplay the player may encounter.
Each character has a different Mission detailed in their quest book, however, the game's objective is to survive the twelve playable days. Pathologic takes place in a perpetual world over a timeframe of twelve in-game days. Throughout each day, the player receives [quest](/source/quest)s from [non-player character](/source/non-player_character)s (NPCs); however, the game continues regardless of whether they are completed or not. At exactly midnight of each day, the quests are erased from the player's notebook. Quests are divided into main missions (one per day), which decide if a major character (referred to in-game as the "Bound") will die, and side quests, which allow the player to earn money and items. Completing main quests is essential to uncovering the secrets of the town, as characters who would otherwise reveal information later in the game can fall ill from the plague early.
== Plot ==
Regardless of the player's choice in player character, each of the three healers tries to uncover the source of a strange lethal sickness known as the "sand plague" that has befallen a small, remote town. Although players can play as each of them, there is only one base storyline, which is seen from the three different points of views of the chosen player character. Minor plot details will change depending on the player, and the ability to uncover some secrets depends on which character is being played. The player may also interact with the other two unchosen characters and discuss their progress throughout the game.
The game's fluctuating economy represents the harsh forces of supply and demand in an isolated, disease-ridden town. All districts and major buildings of the town are named after body parts and biology. On the edge of town, there is a great building named the Polyhedron, a physically impossible structure used as a fortress by children. On the opposite side lies an ominous cattle-slaughtering Abattoir, with a dormitory known as the Apiary (later re-translated as "Termitary") next to it.
Each character has an assigned group of NPCs - their "Bound" - which they are tasked with keeping safe by completing the main quest every day.
There are four endings available. Each playable character has a designated ending, although any of these three endings may be chosen if the player completes the optional task of keeping the other healer's Bound healthy by the meeting time on the 12th day. The Bachelor's ending allows the town to be destroyed, saving the miraculous Polyhedron. The Haruspex's ending destroys the Polyhedron to allow the production of a panacea, saving the town. The Devotress/Changeling's ending allows both the Polyhedron and the town to coexist, at the cost of sacrificing some of the townspeople. If the player is unable to keep all of their Bound safe, however, the town becomes overrun by pestilence in the fourth "Bad Ending".
== Development and release ==
''Pathologic'' was the first game developed by Russian studio [Ice-Pick Lodge](/source/Ice-Pick_Lodge).[{{cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/02/03/rps-interviews-ice-pick-lodge/ |title=RPS Interviews Ice Pick Lodge |first=Quintin |last=Smith |date=3 February 2009 |website=[Rock, Paper, Shotgun](/source/Rock%2C_Paper%2C_Shotgun) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926152341/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/02/03/rps-interviews-ice-pick-lodge/ |archive-date=26 September 2019 |url-status=live }}] The game was announced by Russian publisher [Buka Entertainment](/source/Buka_Entertainment) on 30 March 2004, intending to release in the last quarter of the year.[{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/buka-announces-pathologic/1100-6092504/ |title=Buka announces Pathologic |first=Justin |last=Calvert |date=30 March 2004 |website=[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)}}][{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/30/survival-horror-adventure-coming-to-pc |title=Survival Horror Adventure Coming to PC |first=Juan |last=Castro |date=30 March 2004 |website=[IGN](/source/IGN) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502095243/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/30/survival-horror-adventure-coming-to-pc |archive-date=2 May 2013 |url-status=live }}] The native Russian version of the game was [released to manufacturing](/source/Release_to_manufacturing) on 31 May 2005, for release on 9 June.[{{cite web |url=http://www.ice-pick.com/index_rus.htm |title=Ice-Pick Lodge |date=2005 |website=[Ice-Pick Lodge](/source/Ice-Pick_Lodge) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060222082911/http://www.ice-pick.com/index_rus.htm |archive-date=22 February 2006 |url-status=dead}}][{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2010/08/column_the_magic_resoluion_i_l.php |title=COLUMN: "The Magic Resolution": I Love You Just The Way You Are |first=Lewis |last=Denby |date=17 August 2010 |website=[GameSetWatch](/source/GameSetWatch) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111223611/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2010/08/column_the_magic_resoluion_i_l.php |archive-date=11 January 2019 |url-status=live }}] The English-localised version was completed on 20 November 2005 and released by G2 Games in 2006.[{{cite web |url=https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17993 |title=Carte Blanche hands-on |first=Jack |last=Allin |date=26 October 2006 |website=[Adventure Gamers](/source/Adventure_Gamers) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718005600/http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/17993 |archive-date=18 July 2016 |url-status=usurped }}] A German version was published by Frogster Interactive Pictures on 20 April 2006 after being released to manufacturing earlier that month.[{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezone.de/Pathologic-Spiel-26753/News/Pathologic-Die-Geisterstadt-in-Gold-925440/ |title=Pathologic: Die Geisterstadt in Gold |language=de |trans-title=Pathologic: The ghost town in gold |author=Hexmaster |date=11 April 2006 |website=GameZone |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-date=5 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205170429/https://www.gamezone.de/Pathologic-Spiel-26753/News/Pathologic-Die-Geisterstadt-in-Gold-925440/ |url-status=dead }}][{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezone.de/Pathologic-Spiel-26753/News/Pathologic-Seltsame-Vorgaenge-924497/ |title=Pathologic: Seltsame Vorgänge |language=de |trans-title=Pathologic: Mysterious Procedures |first=Peter |last=Grubmair |date=7 March 2006 |website=GameZone |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-date=5 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205170427/https://www.gamezone.de/Pathologic-Spiel-26753/News/Pathologic-Seltsame-Vorgaenge-924497/ |url-status=dead }}]
== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 66%[{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/920149-pathologic/index.html |title=Pathologic for PC |website=[GameRankings](/source/GameRankings) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926065653/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/920149-pathologic/index.html |archive-date=26 September 2019 |url-status=live }}]
| EuroG = 6/10[{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_pathologic_pc |title=Pathologic |first=John |last=Walker |date=19 September 2011 |website=[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012141944/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_pathologic_pc |archive-date=12 October 2019 |url-status=live }}]
| GTM = 8/10[{{cite web |last1=Tween |first1=Afex |title=Рецензия на Pathologic |url=http://www.ag.ru/reviews/pathologic |website=Absolute Games |access-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207124856/http://www.ag.ru/reviews/pathologic |archive-date=7 February 2007 |language=Russian |date=19 August 2005 |url-status=dead}}]
}}
In Russia, ''Pathologic'' was critically acclaimed, winning year-end accolades from five Russian outlets.[{{cite web |url=http://www.pathologic-game.com/eng_index.htm |title=Pathologic |date=2006 |website=Pathologic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205233550/http://pathologic-game.com/eng_index.htm |archive-date=5 December 2006 |url-status=dead}}] However, its reception in English-speaking countries has been mixed, being both praised for its atmosphere and concept, while panned for its poor translation, outdated graphics and slow-paced gameplay.[{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/indie/ice-pick-lodge-wants-remake-pathologic |title=Ice Pick Lodge wants to remake Pathologic |first=Fraser |last=Brown |date=27 November 2013 |website=[PCGamesN](/source/PCGamesN) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720092441/http://www.pcgamesn.com/indie/ice-pick-lodge-wants-remake-pathologic |archive-date=20 July 2016 |url-status=live }}] They later confirmed the remake's development in July 2014 and launched a [Kickstarter](/source/Kickstarter) crowdfunding campaign that September,[{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/pathologic-remake-confirmed-will-launch-on-kickstarter-this-september/ |title=Pathologic remake confirmed, will launch on Kickstarter this September |first=Phil |last=Savage |date=24 July 2014 |magazine=[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806043208/https://www.pcgamer.com/pathologic-remake-confirmed-will-launch-on-kickstarter-this-september/ |archive-date=6 August 2019 |url-status=live }}][{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2014/09/05/pathologic-kickstarter-ice-pick-lodge/ |title=Pathologic takes to Kickstarter for remake of cult classic |first=Brenna |last=Hillier |date=5 September 2014 |website=[VG247](/source/VG247) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002181300/https://www.vg247.com/2014/09/05/pathologic-kickstarter-ice-pick-lodge/ |archive-date=2 October 2018 |url-status=live }}] sought to raise {{US$|250,000|link=no}}. The Kickstarter reached the goal by the end of the month, and ended in a total of {{US$|333,127|long=no}}, backed by 7,139 people.[{{cite web |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1535515364/pathologic |title=Pathologic (Мор.Утопия) |author=Ice-Pick Lodge |author-link=Ice-Pick Lodge |website=[Kickstarter](/source/Kickstarter) |access-date=4 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223182110/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1535515364/pathologic/ |archive-date=23 December 2018 |url-status=live }}]
In October 2015, Ice-Pick Lodge announced ''Pathologic Classic HD'', a [remaster](/source/Video_game_remaster) of the original ''Pathologic'' developed by General Arcade and published by [Gambitious Digital Entertainment](/source/Gambitious_Digital_Entertainment).[{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/pathologic-classic-hd-is-coming-later-this-fall/ |title=Pathologic Classic HD is coming later this fall |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=7 October 2015 |magazine=[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809093744/https://www.pcgamer.com/pathologic-classic-hd-is-coming-later-this-fall/ |archive-date=9 August 2019 |url-status=live }}][{{cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/07/28/interview-ice-pick-lodge-on-pathologic-hd-and-preserving-madness/ |title=Interview: Ice Pick Lodge On Pathologic HD And Preserving Madness |first=John |last=Walker |date=28 July 2016 |website=[Rock, Paper, Shotgun](/source/Rock%2C_Paper%2C_Shotgun) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724095946/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/07/28/interview-ice-pick-lodge-on-pathologic-hd-and-preserving-madness/ |archive-date=24 July 2019 |url-status=live }}] This remaster introduced upgraded visuals, fixed bugs, re-recorded dialog, and a re-translated English script.[{{cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/23/pathologic-classic-hd-release-date/ |title=Surprise Remaster Pathologic Classic HD Dated |first=Alec |last=Meer |date=23 October 2015 |website=[Rock, Paper, Shotgun](/source/Rock%2C_Paper%2C_Shotgun) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727080808/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/23/pathologic-classic-hd-release-date/ |archive-date=27 July 2019 |url-status=live }}][{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/pathologic-classic-hd-launches-with-weirdest-trailer-ever/ |title=Pathologic Classic HD launches with weirdest trailer ever |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=29 October 2015 |magazine=[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103220610/http://www.pcgamer.com/pathologic-classic-hd-launches-with-weirdest-trailer-ever/ |archive-date=3 January 2018 |url-status=live }}] The remaster received generally favourable reviews according to [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic).[{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pathologic-classic-hd/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Pathologic Classic HD for PC Reviews |website=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914110922/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/pathologic-classic-hd |archive-date=14 September 2019 |url-status=live }}]
Under publisher [tinyBuild](/source/tinyBuild), the ''Pathologic'' remake was retitled ''[Pathologic 2](/source/Pathologic_2)'' to be distinguished from ''Pathologic Classic HD''.[{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/pathologic/pathologic-pathologic-2-tinybuild |title=Pathologic is now called Pathologic 2 and it's set to release in 2018 |first=Sam |last=Foxall |date=31 August 2017 |website=[PCGamesN](/source/PCGamesN) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140732/https://www.pcgamesn.com/pathologic/pathologic-pathologic-2-tinybuild |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live }}] ''Pathologic 2'' was released on 23 May 2019.[{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/pathologic-2-is-getting-a-difficulty-slider-but-the-developers-dont-want-you-to-use-it/ |title=Pathologic 2 is getting a difficulty slider but the developers don't want you to use it |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=27 May 2019 |magazine=[PC Gamer](/source/PC_Gamer) |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629202747/https://www.pcgamer.com/pathologic-2-is-getting-a-difficulty-slider-but-the-developers-dont-want-you-to-use-it/ |archive-date=29 June 2019 |url-status=live }}] In October 2024, it was announced that the Bachelor route would instead be dramatically reimagined and released as a standalone sequel, ''Pathologic 3''.[{{Cite news |last=Caldwell |first=Brendan |date=2024-10-07 |title=Pathologic 3 announced with time travel mechanic, due for release in 2025 |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/pathologic-3-announced-with-time-travel-mechanic-due-for-release-in-2025 |access-date=2025-10-30 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |language=en}}] Published by HypeTrain Digital, it was released on 9 January 2026.[{{Cite web |title=Pathologic 3 on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3199650/Pathologic_3/ |access-date=2025-10-30 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}] All Kickstarter backers received Pathologic 3 at no extra charge.