Pathologic 3

Я так рада, что эту игру сделали наркоманы

([b]Note:[/b] [i]Pathologic 3[/i] is a stand-alone story that can be played and understood (as much as that is possible or even necessary in this dazzling franchise) on its own. As it is a companion to [i]Pathologic 2[/i], with both games telling the same event from different perspectives, it is recommended that you play both these games, in whatever order you please.) The wait was long, but it did not disappoint. Ice-Pick Lodge invites you into another mesmerizing descent into the disintegration of both the town and your fragile psyche. And your downfall has never been as sweet as this one. What is the same? The phenomenal writing that draws you into this dream-like universe where the ordinary looks out-of-place while the bizarre looks mundane, the intriguing lore behind the events, and the interest blend of different game play mechanics. What is improved? Obviously the graphics: this doomed town never looked so good and full of detail, and with improved optimization at no extra cost for your precious gaming set-up. What is new? Some interesting changes have been made. For one, this time you are an actual doctor (suck it, Burakh!) who will busy himself with diagnosing the many patients this town has to offer. Based on your findings and the development (or should we say: deterioration) of the situation at hand you will also hand out decrees on how the to manage the crisis, decisions in which you will need to balance the spread of the plague with civil unrest and available resources. Finally, P3 throws proper chronology out the window and has you relive the twelve-day disaster in scrambled order, with the ability to go back to previously visited events to mend your mistakes (then again, at what cost…?). All these mechanics are great and add a freshness to the latest installment of this magnificent franchise. As for perhaps its most contested aspect, the newly implemented fast-travel, I am very much on the fence. On the one hand, P2 already had [i]a lot[/i] of walking, collecting, and crafting, so it is refreshing that P3 ditches some of that and replaces it with new gameplay mechanics. On the other hand, since you never actually cover the distance you are traveling, you don’t get as intimately acquainted with the town as you did in the previous game, so for those who start their journey with P3 that can be a miss. Again, it is very much recommended that you play both these games. One aspect in which I do think P2 is superior is that it had a steady increase in drama which was reflected in the gameplay. If you play P3 well, you can keep both riots and contamination (fairly) under control and this paints the town in a much more tranquil and even appealing light than its predecessor. P2, on the other hand, had you descent into Hell with a town that was fast spinning out of control which culminated in a disease ridden settlement plagued by (pun intended) looting murderers and a inquisitorial military that resorts to setting people on fire in the streets in order to maintain a semblance of control. In short: P2 had a much more total and bodily form of horror whereas P3 is more contemplative and psychological. Be that as it may, it has been a crazy ride and I’m already looking forward to replaying this journey again in a few years. And I think I speak for many when I say that hopefully, by that time Ice-Pick Lodge will have given us the final path of the Changeling in [i]Pathologic 4[/i].