How Pathologic 3 Will Incorporate Prior Events and Characters

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How Pathologic 3 Will Incorporate Prior Events and Characters

As a seasoned gamer who’s had the fortune (or misfortune) of traversing the twisted landscapes of Ice-Pick Lodge’s creations, I can confidently say that the upcoming Pathologic 3 is shaping up to be a mind-bending journey. The studio’s unique ability to weave complex narratives with steep difficulty has always left an indelible mark on those who dare to venture into their worlds.

The independent game “Pathologic,” developed by Ice-Pick Lodge, is a captivating and ambitious title that was first released in 2005. Over the years, it has earned a strong reputation for its intricate storyline and challenging gameplay. However, those who persevere are richly rewarded. Often referred to as a hidden gem, “Pathologic” leaves an indelible impression on players. Following a high-definition remaster in 2015, the studio launched a Kickstarter campaign to deliver “Pathologic 2” to fans. Now, we can look forward to the release of “Pathologic 3” in 2025.

2019’s “Pathologic 2” wasn’t exactly a traditional sequel, but rather an updated reinterpretation of the original game. A significant modification was that it focused on just one of the three playable characters from the first version. While it delved deep into the Haruspex’s story, “Pathologic 2” presented the Bachelor and the Changeling in brief appearances, hinting at their full narratives to be unveiled later. As announced officially for “Pathologic 3”, Ice-Pick Studios and publisher HypeTrain Digital have confirmed that the Bachelor will be the main character in “Pathologic 3”. However, this character will come with a dramatically different past and mentality. Recently, studio founder and creative director Nikolay Dybowski discussed with Game Rant how this perspective will align within the existing universe and resonate with players as well.

How Pathologic 3 Will Explore Diverging Character Perspectives

In Pathologic 3, the story primarily revolves around a character named the Bachelor, also known as Daniil Dankovsky, and his personal perspective of events unfolding within the Town. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that the broader narrative of Pathologic is shaped by various characters, each pursuing their unique agendas and offering distinct interpretations that often differ significantly from one another. Dybowski shed some light on how this narrative device will be addressed in the third installment, explaining…

Consider it as a personal account of the very same events that unfolded in the Haruspex’s narrative. It is set in the same Town, during the same twelve days, involving the same characters and occurrences. However, this version offers a unique perspective – much like two eyewitnesses recounting the same incident in the film Rashomon, their stories can differ significantly, each emphasizing different aspects of the event.

How Pathologic 3’s Protagonist Relates to its World

Dybowski mentioned that in Pathologic 3, the Bachelor character serves as a more conventional representative for the player, in contrast to the Haruspex from previous versions. At first, Dankovsky may perceive himself as well-informed and in control, but he encounters a surrealistic environment differently. Throughout his journey, he’ll face conflicting data and be presented with reasons to reassess his assumptions and perspectives. This design choice aims to mirror the players’ experience: they will also face conflicting information and need to reconsider their initial understanding of the game world.

In the original Pathologic game, players had the freedom to start with any character; however, choosing the Bachelor offers a unique experience since he’s an outsider, similar to many newcomers. He’s not well-versed in the town’s ways and initially dismisses local customs as superstitious. This setup allows players to learn about the town gradually, adjusting their perspectives on familiar aspects over time, making the game more immersive for newcomers.

The Marble Nest expansion for Pathologic 2 suggested a glimpse into potential experiences when playing as the Bachelor character in the upcoming third game.

In the upcoming game, Pathologic 3, you’ll peer into the Bachelor’s interactions with the enigmatic sickness afflicting the Town. By fully immersing yourself in the role of the Bachelor in the next installment, players will be pulled deep into its unnerving atmosphere, experiencing it as he does. Viewing the world through his perspective, gamers will uncover and untangle the different threads, with the game aiming to give fans a sense of how their actions might influence or alter the Bachelor.

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2024-11-05 18:35