History VideoGame / Pathologic

The first storyline is that of a young Bachelor of Medicine, Daniil Dankovsky. He was invited to town to scientifically establish that one of the residents is over two hundred years old. However, the man dies before he gets a chance to meet with him -- not of old age, but by the hands of an unknown culprit. Following this, Dankovsky finds himself strong-armed by the local aristocrats into using his skills and equipment to research the plague, and he quickly becomes buried in their intrigues.

A remaster -- ''Pathologic Classic HD'', featuring improved textures, new voice acting and (most importantly) a revised script0 was released on [[http://www.gog.com/game/pathologic_classic_hd Gog.com]] and [[http://store.steampowered.com/app/384110/ Steam]] on October 29th, 2015.

* CityOfWeirdos: Certainly a town being ravaged by plague is going to have its civic order break down, but it quickly becomes clear that the town was on the far end of the bizarre meter long before you arrived - the sickness is just making the weirdness slightly more visible.

* MeleeATrois: As the plague progresses and the town descends into chaos, the various factions will take to the streets and end up fighting each other. After several days you'll have civilians, bandits, arsonists, plague carriers, patrolmen, and soldiers all duking it out with eeach other in the streets.

''Pathologic'' (or "Мор. Утопия" (lit: "Plague. Utopia") in the original Russian) is set in a town in the middle of nowhere which beset by a strange disease. The game follows one of three "healers" who have come to the town for their own reasons, and all have drastically different methods. Just as they arrive, an epidemic starts and the town is quarantined. At that point, the game puts you in control and gives you 12 in-game days to perform quests and protect yourself and others from the disease via some very dubious methods.

* WomanInWhite: The late Victoria Olgimskaya, senior. She is even called the White Mistress.

* TwistEnding: More like a series of twist endings that get progressively more twisty, to be precise. Nope, we won't dare spoil it for you. [[spoiler:Your mileage ''will'' definitely vary about whether it's more of a KarmicTwistEnding or CruelTwistEnding.]]

* AcceptableBreaksFromReality: The game notably averts most of these. Many of the gameplay mechanics are surprisingly realistic - the InUniverseGameClock is a [[TimedMission major constriction]] and is constantly ticking, enemies take only a few hits to kill but ammunition is scarce, using weapons or wearing clothes decreases their (very limited) durability, being StupidEvil and reducing your KarmaMeter will get you killed, etc. This may be one of the many reasons why the game is [[NintendoHard maddeningly difficult]] and no part of it is described as "fun", even by fans.
** The game does, however, make an exception and [[TalkingIsAFreeAction pauses time during dialogue]] due to the sheer amount of it. Probably because the game would be even more nigh-unwinnable than it already is if it didn't.

* AmbiguouslyHuman: The Butchers and the Herb Brides look visually indistinguishable from humans; however, the Herb Brides are thought to be female Worms, and the Butchers are described as a hiveminded cult of violent, unintelligible quasi-men.
** See also Aspity, who may or may not be a spirit of vengeance, taking human form, summoned from the Earth itself. Complicating the matter, she is a proud woman who dances around the point whenever directly asked, and lies a lot besides; making the ambiguity deeper and more frustrating. [[spoiler:Aspity implies to Clara that she shares this origin and nature, but you never discover whether this is true.]]

* MenuTimeLockout: Accessing your map, diary, letters, or status screen pauses the game, and ''you will be thankful for it'', since it's one of the few AcceptableBreaksFromReality the game uses. This is ''[[AvertedTrope not]]'' the case for the inventory menu, though -- see ScrappyMechanic.

* ScrappyMechanic: Lots.
** You ''can't run.'' At all. Only walk at a leisurely pace. Coupled with the brutal InUniverseGameClock, this can cause the game to range from NintendoHard to nigh {{Unwinnable}}.
** The weapon selection is annoyingly clunky, since it's only available by opening your inventory (which is the only menu that averts MenuTimeLockout). This wouldn't be necessarily bad -- but imagine you need to switch to another weapon quickly ''in the middle of a fight with a local looter''.
** This is very minor compared to the other two, but... Melee weapons often have multiple attacks -- for example, when unarmed, your character may execute either a quick jab with their left fist, or a long windup punch with their right. However, ''there is no way to control which attack is executed'' (it's random), so you have no idea whether you can afford to be right next to an enemy, or if you have to start further back because your character is going to twirl their knife in the air dramatically before plunging it in a downward stab. Given how incredibly important timing is in melee combat, this can be quite irritating.
** Fortunately, ranged weapons avoid this problem, for obvious reasons...however, just ''drawing'' a gun takes an absurdly long time; the animation for the revolver in particular makes it look like your character's moving through molasses. Needless to say, this can result in problems when you're being charged at by a crazed mugger.
* SecretCharacter: The Changeling... [[DownplayedTrope kind of.]] She's clearly displayed on the character selection screen, but [[UnlockableContent can only be played if you've completed one of the other two scenarios]]. She is also played up as the most mysterious of the three healers in the other two scenarios.

* TimedMission (plus InUniverseGameClock): Basically the entire game. All quests must be finished the day they were received. The game spans 12 days. You know this from the very beginning, and you will be reminded relentlessly.
** There is a way to modify the [[ScrappyMechanic overly speedy flow of time]] [[http://forum.ice-pick.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4278 by a simple edit of the game's config]].

* TrialAndErrorGameplay: Sadly, quite a lot of it if you're playing for the first time. The aforementioned ScrappyMechanic and InUniverseGameClock don't leave enough room for bigger screw-ups on part of the player.

The game received many good reviews praising its atmosphere and picked up dozens of awards in its native country. Sadly, the English translation was, on release, [[BlindIdiotTranslation absolutely incomprehensible]]. This -- coupled with the developer being practically unknown outside Russia -- resulted in poor sales. This game is not for everyone, and there is a lot to take in in order to master its brutally complex and extremely punishing mechanics. And even when the player think they have mastered them, the game is always ready to throw them a really nasty curveball or two just as they least suspect it. It is, however, a very powerful, emotionally draining experience, and not to be missed.

The game received many good reviews praising its atmosphere and picked up dozens of awards in its native country. Sadly, the English translation was, on release, [[BlindIdiotTranslation absolutely incomprehensible]]. This -- coupled with the developer being practically unknown outside Russia -- resulted in poor sales. This game is not for everyone, and there is a lot to take in in order to master its brutally complex and extremely punishing mechanics. It is, however, a very powerful, emotionally draining experience, and not to be missed.

** Similarly, [[spoiler:Executors will warn you that giving shmowder to an infected character is going to cripple them for life, due to its harmful effects, and will ask if you are really sure about using this solution. But while taking shmowders will indeed drop your health to 5% (nothing that some sleep can't solve though), there's no difference between shmowders and panaceas when it comes to infected NPCs.]]

The first storyline is that of a young Bachelor of Medicine, Daniil Dankovsky. He invited to town to scientifically establish that one of the residents is over two hundred years old. However, the man dies before he gets a chance to meet with him -- not of old age, but by the hands of an unknown culprit. Following this, Dankovsky finds himself strong-armed by the local aristocrats into using his skills and equipment to research the plague, and he quickly becomes buried in their intrigues.

The first storyline is that of a young Bachelor of Medicine, Daniil Dankovsky, who was invinted to the town to scientifically establish that one of the residents is over two hundred years old. However, the man dies before he gets a chance to meet with him -- not of old age, but by the hands of an unknown culprit. Following this, Dankovsky finds himself strong-armed by the local aristocrats into using his skills and equipment to research the plague, and he quickly becomes buried in their intrigues.

''Pathologic'' (or "Мор. Утопия" (lit: "Plague. Utopia") in the original Russian) is set in a town in the middle of nowhere, beset by a strange disease. The game follows the story of three people -- healers -- who have all come to the town for their own reasons, and they all have drastically different methods. However, just as you arrive, an epidemic starts and the town is quarantined. At that point, the game puts you in control and gives you 12 in-game days to do quests and protect yourself and others from the disease... by some very dubious methods.

The first storyline is that of a young Bachelor of Medicine, Daniil Dankovsky, who has been asked to come to the town to scientifically establish that one of the residents is over two hundred years old. However, the man dies before he gets a chance to meet with him -- not of old age, however, but by the hands of an unknown culprit. Following this, Dankovsky finds himself strong-armed by the local aristocrats into using his skills and equipment to research the plague, and he quickly becomes buried in their intrigues.

The second storyline is that of a Haruspex, Artemy Burakh (pronounced "ahr-TYEH-mee BOO-rakh", with the "kh" sound like the "ch" in Bach or loch). He is one of very few people allowed the knowledge and right to cut open dead human bodies. His father shared his profession and lived in the town, but died recently, and he had called his son to take his place. However, the people believe that he killed his father, leading the town to be extremely hostile to him. As such, Burakh must try to sneak around town and work covertly as he tries to investigate the cause of the plague, as he tends to attract angry mobs out for his blood, whenever he moves around in the open.

The third storyline is that of Clara, the Changeling, a young girl who many believe is either a saint or a steppe demon who brought the plague in the first place. She is able to either heal a person or utterly destroy them with a gesture of her hands. Mysterious and with an unclear past, she nevertheless performs her deeds in the certainty they will benefit... something.

There are three main families in the game, all in some way fighting against each other for the control of the town. Other than them, there are [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters loads and loads of other characters]], all somehow related to the story.

The first storyline is that of a young Bachelor of Medicine, Daniel Dankovsky, who has been asked to come to the town to scientifically establish that one of the residents is over two hundred years old. However, the man dies before he gets a chance to meet with him -- not of old age, however, but by the hands of an unknown culprit. Following this, Dankovsky finds himself strong-armed by the local aristocrats into using his skills and equipment to research the plague, and he quickly becomes buried in their intrigues.

The second storyline is that of a Haruspex, Artemy Burakh (pronounced "ahr-TYEH-mee BOO-rakh", with the "kh" sound like the "ch" in Bach or loch). He is one of very few people allowed the knowledge and right to cut open dead human bodies. His father shared his profession and lived in the town, but died recently, and he had called his son to take his place. However, the people believe that he killed his father, forcing him to dodge angry mobs.

The first storyline is that of a young Bachelor of Medicine, Daniel Dankovsky, who has been asked to come to the town to scientifically establish that one of the residents is over two hundred years old. However, the man dies as soon as he arrives -- not of old age, however, but by the hands of an unknown culprit. Following this, Dankovsky finds himself strong-armed by the local aristocrats into using his skills and equipment to research the plague, and he quickly becomes buried in their intrigues.

* ImprobableAntidote: The 'schmowders' are random drug cocktails made ''by children'' that are capable of ''curing the Sand Plague.'' You end up mostly dead if you try taking it, but it works.

The game received many good reviews praising its atmosphere and picked up dozens of awards in its native country. Sadly, the English translation was, on release, [[BlindIdiotTranslation absolutely incomprehensible]]. This -- coupled with the developer being practically unknown outside Russia -- resulted in poor sales. This game is not for everyone, and there is a lot to take in in order to master its brutally complex mechanics. It is, however, a very powerful, emotionally draining experience, and not to be missed.

The game received many good reviews praising its atmosphere and picked up dozens of awards in its native country. Sadly, the English translation was, on release, [[BlindIdiotTranslation absolutely incomprehensible]]. This - coupled with the developer being practically unknown outside Russia - resulted in poor sales. This game is not for everyone, and there is a lot to take in in order to master its brutally complex mechanics. It is, however, a very powerful, emotionally draining experience, and not to be missed.

A remaster - ''Pathologic Classic HD'', featuring improved textures, new voice acting and (most importantly) a revised script0 was released on [[http://www.gog.com/game/pathologic_classic_hd Gog.com]] and [[http://store.steampowered.com/app/384110/ Steam]] on October 29th, 2015.

''Pathologic'' (or "Мор. Утопия" (lit: "Plague. Utopia") in the original Russian) is set in a town in the middle of nowhere, beset by a strange disease. The game follows the story of three people - healers - who have all come to the town for their own reasons, and they all have drastically different methods. However, just as you arrive, an epidemic starts and the town is quarantined. At that point, the game puts you in control and gives you 12 in-game days to do quests and protect yourself and others from the disease... by some very dubious methods.

** The theme of the game takes a lot of inspiration from the ''[[spoiler: Series/TwilightZone]]'' [[spoiler: episode "Recap/TheTwilightZoneS3E79FiveCharactersInSearchOfAnExit Five Characters In Search of an Exit"]].

* ShoutOut: The original Russian title of the game is ''More. Utopia'' (''Мор. Утопия''), referencing the most famous work by Thomas More. A bit of a PunnyName, as Мор forms a phoentic homonym with More's surname in Russian. The common meaning of Мор [[MeaningfulName is "plague" or "pestilence"]]. "More: A Utopia" or "Plague: A Utopia" ? Take your pick...
** It was comfirmed that it's "plague/blight". Devs were actually surprised when pointed about the title looking like a shoutout.

* BreakingTheFourthWall or NoFourthWall: Depends on how you look at the theater themes present in the game's narrative.

''Pathologic'' (or "Мор. Утопия" (lit: "Plague Utopia") in the original Russian) is set in a town in the middle of nowhere, beset by a strange disease. The game follows the story of three people - healers - who have all come to the town for their own reasons, and they all have drastically different methods. However, just as you arrive, an epidemic starts and the town is quarantined. At that point, the game puts you in control and gives you 12 in-game days to do quests and protect yourself and others from the disease... by some very dubious methods.