Pathologic 3 left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, it fully captures the series’ signature psychological survival horror. The plague-ridden town, constant moral dilemmas, and the relentless pressure of the 12-day structure create a uniquely oppressive atmosphere. Ice-Pick Lodge still excels at building discomfort, and the Pathologic universe remains deeply fascinating.
On the other hand, technical shortcomings significantly undermine the experience. Dialogue often feels stiff, facial animations are lifeless, and the complete absence of French localization (even subtitles) is a major barrier for many players. The game’s ambition clearly exceeds its means — the 3D visuals aim high but fall short, lacking polish and consistency.
At times, it feels like the project would have benefited from a different artistic direction. A stylized pixel-art approach could have reduced costs, allowed for tighter writing and mechanics, and given the game a stronger visual identity. Instead, Pathologic 3 tries to stand alongside much larger productions without the budget to fully support that vision. The slow, repetitive gameplay loop doesn’t help either, often replacing urgency with frustration.
At 27.99 € on sale (34.99 € full price), Pathologic 3 is hard to recommend without caveats. Fans of experimental, atmospheric, and deeply unconventional games — especially those comfortable with English — may still find value here. For everyone else, the flaws are hard to ignore. A game full of potential, but one that needed either more time or a more restrained scope to truly shine. Full French review:
https://rogueh24.fr/test-du-jeu-pathologic-3/
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