{{Infobox video game | title = Pathway | image = Pathway video game cover.png | alt = | caption = | developer = Robotality | publisher = [[Chucklefish]] | designer = {{plainlist| * Simon Bachmann * Stephan Naujoks * Daniel Ludwig * Stefan Bachmann }} | programmer = {{plainlist| * Daniel Ludwig * Stefan Bachmann }} | artist = {{plainlist| * Simon Bachmann * Midio * Phil Giarrusso * Andreas Illenseer }} | composer = [[Gavin Harrison]] | series = | engine = | platforms = {{plainlist| * [[Linux]] * [[macOS]] * [[Windows]] * [[Nintendo Switch]] }} | released = {{vgrelease|WW|April 11, 2019 (PCs)|WW|May 27, 2021 (NS)}} | genre = [[Tactical role-playing]] | modes = [[Single-player]] }} {{confuse|Pathways (video game)}} '''''Pathway''''' is [[tactical role playing video game]] developed by Robotality and published by [[Chucklefish]] in 2019. Players fight Nazis in tactical combat to recover occult artifacts in an [[Indiana Jones]]-style scenario.
== Gameplay == Players control a band of mercenaries in the mid-1930s who attempt to defeat Nazis before they can recover powerful occult artifacts. Missions are based on modern [[pulp adventure]] stories, such as ''[[Indiana Jones]]'' and ''[[The Mummy (1999 film)|The Mummy]]''. In each session, players explore a [[procedurally generated]] map in a vehicle with a random amount of fuel. Players expend can expend fuel finding merchants, recruiting mercenaries, and interacting with various [[non-player characters]], which can result in [[Quest (video games)|missions]]. Choices made in these missions can lead to [[Skill (role-playing games)|skill checks]] or fighting enemies, such as Nazis. Combat is [[turn-based tactics|turn-based and tactical]]. Each character is given two actions per turn, which can be used moving, attacking, or using a special ability. Cover provides limited protection from attacks. Upon defeating enemies, players can customize their characters through [[skill tree]]s.<ref name=gs>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pathway-review-pulp-friction/1900-6417124/|title=''Pathway'' Review – Pulp Friction|last=Wildgoose|first=David|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=2019-04-16|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528070953/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pathway-review-pulp-friction/1900-6417124/|url-status=live}}</ref> Character progress and items recovered are saved between sessions, but if the mercenaries are defeated in battle, players lose that adventure.<ref name=pcgamer>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/pathway-review/|title=''Pathway'' review|last=Horti|first=Samuel|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=2019-04-15|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528022604/https://www.pcgamer.com/pathway-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> A post-release free update added hardcore mode, which introduces [[permadeath]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/the_best_version_of_turn-based_strategy_adventure_pathway_comes_to_switch_this_month|title="The Best Version" Of Turn-Based Strategy Adventure Pathway Comes To Switch This Month|last=Craddock|first=Ryan|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|date=2021-05-11|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602171115/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/the_best_version_of_turn-based_strategy_adventure_pathway_comes_to_switch_this_month|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Development == ''Robotality'' is a German studio. ''Pathway'' is a followup to their previous tactical RPG, ''[[Halfway (video game)|Halfway]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/videos/turn-based-pulp-adventure-pathway-receives-first-gameplay-trailer/293718/|title=Turn-Based Pulp Adventure ''Pathway'' Receives First Gameplay Trailer|last=LeClair|first=Kyle|work=Hardcore Gamer|date=2018-03-17|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602181310/https://hardcoregamer.com/videos/turn-based-pulp-adventure-pathway-receives-first-gameplay-trailer/293718/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chucklefish]] released it for Linux, macOS, and Windows on April 11, 2019,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgfan.com/game/pathway/|title=''Pathway''|work=RPGFan|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602171114/https://www.rpgfan.com/game/pathway/|url-status=live}}</ref> and on Nintendo Switch on May 27, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/05/turn-based-strategy-game-pathway-coming-to-switch-on-may-27|title=Turn-based strategy game ''Pathway'' coming to Switch on May 27|last=Romano|first=Sal|work=Gematsu|date=2021-05-11|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602171114/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/05/turn-based-strategy-game-pathway-coming-to-switch-on-may-27|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Limited Run Games]] manufactured a physical edition in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/10/tomb-raiding-pixel-art-game-pathway-is-getting-a-physical-edition|title=Tomb-Raiding Pixel Art Game ''Pathway'' Is Getting A Physical Edition|last=Gray|first=Kate|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|date=2021-10-08|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602171114/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/10/tomb-raiding-pixel-art-game-pathway-is-getting-a-physical-edition|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reception == ''Pathway'' received mixed reviews on [[Metacritic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pathway/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=''Pathway'' (PC)|work=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602171114/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/pathway|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pathway/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=''Pathway'' (NS)|work=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602171114/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/pathway|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[PC Gamer]]'' described it as having "crisp combat let down by boring enemies, repetitive missions and a disconnected story".<ref name=pcgamer/> ''[[GameSpot]]'' said it is well-written and captures the tone of 1940s [[pulp adventure]]s, but they criticized what they felt was a lack of depth in the tactical combat, lack of differentiation in characters, and a [[colonialist]] view of non-Europeans.<ref name=gs/> Though they said it starts off well, ''[[IGN]]'' said its lack of depth inhibits its replayability.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/17/pathway-review|title=''Pathway'' Review|last=Epstein|first=Mike|work=[[IGN]]|date=2019-04-17|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528022808/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/17/pathway-review|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Nintendo Life]]'' said it is a competent but overly repetitive game, which they felt limited its appeal on the Switch, which has many tactics games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/pathway|title=''Pathway'' Review (Switch eShop)|last=Vogel|first=Mitch|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|date=2021-05-27|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602171116/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/pathway|url-status=live}}</ref> ''RPGFan'' called it a "worthwhile excursion" with "unrealized potential" that could potentially be fixed post-release by adding more variety and depth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgfan.com/review/pathway/|title=''Pathway''|last=Richardson|first=Bob|work=RPGFan|date=2019-04-16|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602171119/https://www.rpgfan.com/review/pathway/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On release, the reviews on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] were mixed. Developer Simon Bachmann attributed this to several factors. The game had to be released earlier than they would have liked because of budget issues, and they picked up more negative reviews than anticipated because of this. Players perceived the game's content as repetitive and [[grinding (video games)|grindy]], and they were expecting more of an [[XCOM]] clone. When Robotality realized this, they changed how they described the game, rebalanced many mechanics, and said they made players' choices "more meaningful and interesting". The resulting updates pushed the game back to a positive user response.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/deep-dive-turning-around-your-games-reviews-post-launch|title=Deep dive: Turning around your game's reviews post-launch|last=Carless|first=Simon|work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]]|date=2022-02-16|accessdate=2023-06-02|archive-date=2023-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531203609/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/deep-dive-turning-around-your-games-reviews-post-launch|url-status=live}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://pathway-game.com/}}
[[Category:2019 video games]] [[Category:Chucklefish games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:Linux games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:Robotality games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Tactical role-playing video games]] [[Category:Turn-based tactics video games]] [[Category:Video games about Nazis]] [[Category:Video games developed in Germany]] [[Category:Video games set in 1936]] [[Category:Windows games]]