Pathologic 3 FAQ #1
Answers to frequently asked questions and a few hints about what’s coming next!
Hey hey!
Very soon, we’ll be sharing the first details about the game, starting with the soundtrack: on November 4th, we’re taking part in Save and Sound, an annual event dedicated to sound design and soundtracks in video games.
We know the wait has been long, and we want to thank you for the warm reception of the announcement. Today, we’d like to clarify a few points that we often see coming up in community discussions about the Pathologic 3 announcement.
So, let’s get started!
Q: What happened to the route for Pathologic 2? Has it evolved into a sequel?
A: Yes, that’s exactly what happened: the game simply grew beyond our concept of DLC—it will have different gameplay and entirely new features. Instead of one game with three playthroughs using the same gameplay but different storylines (as in the original 2005 release and the Classic HD remaster), we’re creating three fully developed games with distinct gameplay and significant differences in narrative.
Now, these are truly three separate protagonists with unique worldviews, perceptions of reality, and distinct tools. From a gameplay perspective, this means three different approaches and a complete rethinking of the original scripts.
One storyline was released in 2019, centered on the Haruspex. It was a large game that took much more time and work than initially planned. For publishing reasons, it was titled Pathologic 2.
Pathologic 3 is a new, full-fledged game focused on the Bachelor. The title was chosen to avoid confusion, making it clear that this is not a DLC but a complete game with a similar playtime.
Q: What about the Changeling?
A: Finally, there’s the Changeling, but we’d prefer not to make promises prematurely, so we’ll return to her when there’s more to share.
Moving forward, we plan to stick to this approach. We understand that premature promises about the previous Pathologic led to unfulfilled expectations. We apologize for that and don’t want to mislead you in the future. The developer should not be an unreliable narrator—unlike his characters.
Q: How do Pathologic 2 and Pathologic 3 differ?
A: The protagonists! And that’s only half-joking. The main idea and reason for dividing these games is that the Haruspex and the Bachelor are very different characters. The further we developed the Bachelor’s story, the clearer this became. We didn’t want to compromise by making the game a “safer” rework of the original script, so we reimagined the core gameplay loop:
The Haruspex needed to survive, fight, scavenge, rummage through garbage for scraps of bread, and try to save those he held dear along the way.
The Bachelor is a man of intellect. Survival is not his primary concern; his goals go beyond what one lifetime could contain. He needs to think, formulate theories, and gather evidence. Ultimately, he must issue commands and observe the results. This distinction will be emphasized through gameplay, mechanics, objectives, soundtrack, and so on.
After Save and Sound, we plan to return later this year to show you what we mean. As they say, "Show, don’t tell."
Q: Who will receive game keys?
A: We remember our commitments to those who supported us during the fundraising stage nearly ten years ago, so we will provide keys to:
- Kickstarter backers and other platforms where support for the game was available during the fundraising stage
- Backers from 2014 and 2015
Also, backers entitled to two copies will receive two keys.
We’ll share details on how to claim keys closer to release.
Q: Will the new game have its own artbook?
A: At the moment, we’re not planning a physical one, but we might create a digital artbook for the Supporter Pack. We're not sure yet!
Q: Which languages will the game be localized into, including text and voice-over?
A: We definitely plan to localize into English and Russian, and we’re considering Brazilian Portuguese, German, and Simplified Chinese. We’ll confirm languages closer to launch.
Q: Will the Russian title of Pathologic 3 remain?
A: Yes, we’re still considering options. Current ideas include “Finally,” “See, You Didn’t Believe Us,” and “Sorry for the Long Wait.”
Q: Will the game be available on GOG and other stores?
A: We’ll know closer to release, but it’ll likely be available on all platforms where Pathologic 2 can be found.
Q: Will preorders be available?
A: No.
Q: What platforms other than PC are planned for release?
A: We’re planning releases for PS5 and Xbox S/X, likely following the PC release.
Q: What engine is the game being developed in?
A: The same engine as Pathologic 2: Unity.
Q: Will the same voice actors return for Pathologic 3?
A: Yes, we’ll bring back the same actors from Pathologic 2, or at least, we’ll do our best.
We’ve prepared a big surprise for you in the coming months, so please add us to your Steam wishlist!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3199650/Pathologic_3?snr=1_2108_9__2107
Soon, we’ll return with news that will definitely excite you.
Until then, we’ll see you on November 4th!
