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Pathologic 2

Pathologic 2

Ice-Pick Lodge · released May 23, 2019

AdventureIndieRPG

Pathologic 2 is a groundbreaking open-world horror RPG. Resist the plague. Make medicine. Heal people. Perform an autopsy. Trade to get what you need. Fight and kill if necessary. Survive. Struggle with an outbreak in a secluded rural town that is rapidly turning into hell.

85
VGC Score
Stablehigh confidence
82%
At launch
92%
Steam all-time
70%
Press
92%
Player sentiment
93%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)7021
Creator reviews (1 tracked)300
All-time Steam reviews92%861000
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)93%8821
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 59 reviews sampled · 56 total reviews in window · weighted 46.4 up / 3.3 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (44)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 65
    trust 79May 23, 2019

    Pathologic 2 is a very niche game. It does really well in the story and art departments, but does suffer elsewhere, most notably with its combat and travel times. It’s really the type of game that you won’t know if you like until you actually try it.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 78Jun 24, 2019

    The game is exhausting, it's difficult to be in it for a long time. But because of the deep atmosphere, vivid characters and mysterious plot, it clings and doesn't let go until the very end. The experience is uniquely interesting, but requires additional polishing.

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  • 40
    trust 78Mar 25, 2020

    Pathologic 2 is an interesting game that's flawed by poor use of its mechanics and boring gameplay loop. The story would be definitely worth exploring if it weren't for the terrible optimization and constant loading screens.

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  • 80
    trust 77Jun 1, 2019

    Playing Pathologic 2 feels like suffering, and it's meant to be that way.

    read full review ↗
  • 75
    trust 76Jan 12, 2025

    Pathologic 2 is undoubtedly a fascinating game that stands out from others thanks to its focus on moral dilemmas, survival, and psychological elements. Although it suffers from some technical issues, such as poor optimization and frustrating survival mechanics, its strong narrative and atmospheric elements make it an interesting project worth checking out, especially for fans of dark adventure games. Overall, I would recommend the game to those who enjoy story-driven games with tough choices and a dense atmosphere. For others looking for carefree entertainment, this game might be too challenging and frustrating. Pathologic 2 is a game that requires patience and, in return, rewards you with a unique and unforgettable experience.

    read full review ↗
  • 30
    trust 74CreatorJun 29, 2020

    Pathologic 2 is a fascinating and brutal world that is worth diving into if you want something different, but not on the PlayStation 4. About four months after release, this version has never been updated and remains utterly broken. Selling the game in this state is bordering on a scam.

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    trust 74May 23, 2019

    Pathologic 2 is a deeply weird game, with a Mayakovskian cast of characters, plopped into an apocalyptic Bertolt Brecht play set deep in the Russian Steppe. And while the actual gameplay maybe disappointing or frustrating to some (it was to me), I can't help but be compelled by a game so enthusiastically bizarre.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 70Apr 15, 2025

    Pathologic 2 is extremely unpleasant and crushing to play, but that is seemingly the entire point. The thought and effort poured into the balance of all the economies to make every action carry immense weight took courage from the developer. Haruspex are healers with a single purpose and live to save lives, but living does not come so easily in Pathologic 2. Those who are fascinated by the prospect of an immersive survival game where the fun is trying to make the best out of a losing situation will find this worth their time. Just keep an eye on your blood pressure while playing.

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    trust 66Jun 2, 2019

    Pathologic 2’s outstanding story and thought-provoking journey suffer from outdated execution.

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  • 40
    trust 66Mar 24, 2020

    Pathologic 2 is an experience, I’ll give it that. But not one I wish to spend any further time in. It’s just far too dull and painful. The most telling thing of all? I fell asleep playing. Pathologic 2 is out now for most systems, and just this month on PS4. If you are absolutely desperate for some contagion related entertainment, you can do a lot better than this.

    read full review ↗
  • 55
    trust 66Apr 27, 2022

    Tedious mechanics wore down my love for its creepy atmosphere and intriguing mysteries

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    trust 66Jul 3, 2019

    Strange and depressive fight against a devastating plague is not sattisfaction for everyone.

    read full review ↗

…and 32 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Difficulty Slider and Patch 4
    Jun 7, 2019significant · resets scoring window
  2. Pathologic 2 Patch 3
    May 30, 2019significant · resets scoring window
  3. Pathologic 2 Patch 1
    May 24, 2019significant · resets scoring window
  4. Marble Nest Patch, the One and Only
    Dec 14, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  5. Marble Nest Patch, the One and Only
    Dec 14, 2016significant · resets scoring window