r/pathologic • u/JimAbaddon • 1d ago

Pathologic 2 I didn't expect a game as grim and oppressive as Pathologic 2 to have so many touching moments. Spoiler

I get that it's designed to be oppressive and stressful and with a lot of dark and disturbing imagery so the touching moments sort of caught me off guard. Like the Haruspex bonding with the various children and having funny back-and-forths with them like with Sticky or his relationship with Murky. And of course the rush to save them all on Day 10. Really enjoyed those moments.

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13

u/LaviniaHerbert 1d ago

When it isn't being a suffering simulator, Pathologic 2 is a love story, in a much grander sense than romantic.

3

u/Merance-2412 17h ago

This is why it’s my favourite game of all time. It’s hard - brutally, unapologetically, frustratingly hard - but not in an unsolvable way. Whenever I play, I find myself thinking of where I’ll be going next and, most crucially, who I’m going to talk to and/or try to save.

Each character is so complex and real that I’ve developed pixelated attachments to them. It really makes such a harsh experience that much more nail-biting and fulfilling. And really raised my bar for other games!

Glad you enjoyed it too OP.

2

u/apistograma 19h ago

The best grim works of art are the ones that show you the beauty of the world even in the darkest times.

Making something depressing and sad is very easy. Making something depressing and sad, while saying something is difficult, and that's what separates art that tries to be deep from art that is legitimately deep.

That's the main grip I have with Game of Thrones/ASOIAF. It's grim for the sake of it. There's a very cynical approach to violence and sex that feels more like an spectacle than having a real message. It's very American in how fascinated it is about mindless violence.

Russians classics are rarely like this. They're miserable, they know hardship, but they always teach you something. You finish their books a bit wiser and with a different look at the world. Pathologic follows this tradition.

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u/ThanaticaIntern 1d ago

I live for that tbh.

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u/Hordamis 19h ago

The returning to town hits in a way very few other games can.

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u/zkylon Murky 11h ago

Yeah it's a big reason I love these games so much, there's multiple moments about carving little bits of humanity that can prevail at least for a moment in this unknowable, oppressive world. It's not a hopeless struggle, there's still beauty to be found

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u/Wrong-Produce4593 5h ago

My babiiiies i wish we could adopt them all. I was so sad after the things that happens with Murky that she doesnt immediately actually move in to the Lair with Sticky and Artemy.