You know, there are games, which will forever have a special place in your heart. Not because they have some astounding graphics, and not because they have some revolutionary gameplay. And probably not even because they are your favorite games. But, because these games are... special.

If you'll try to check each aspect of the Pathologic separately - probably you'll find some similarities with other games. Some aspects of the game may be even bad. But when you combine everything together it gives you unique experience. And it's style is inimitable. There are games, which can be easily put into concrete genre, and games like this one - which stay separately. Because you will always struggle to put them into one specific category.

You will either play this game for few hours and drop it in confusion, or it will consume you for dozens or even hundreds of hours. And probably you will spend even more time thinking about the game after you finish it. The game does not hurry to uncover it's secrets. You may watch intro or some pictures. You may even read some forums, but you still won't have clear vision what is this game about. Even more - you will finish this game once and you still will not get all the answers.

Sure, here you have quests to complete, objects to interact, characters to speak with. But it doesn't feel the same as in other games. In most cases you can't tell the difference between main and secondary quests (unless you check the diary) - they are so harmonically intertwined, that they look like integral parts of one story. Completing quests often rises lots of questions - was it right thing to do? Did I really help them or it will bring them more suffering? What consequences will it have for me? Maybe it would be a better thing not to accept this offer? Did that person tell me the truth or lied? If lied, why? Because doesn't trust me? Loves me and tries to protect? Or hates the man I work for?

Characters here worth special mentioning. Probably the most non-stereotypical characters I've seen in video games so far. Neither villains - nor heroes. Just common people with their strong and weak sides, beliefs and delusions, acts of bravery and "skeletons in the closet". Like them or hate them. Save them or doom them to death.

You have 3 playable characters with their unique storylines. Not a type of character you can often see in other video games. They are all... medics. Sort of. One of them is the Bachelor - respected doctor-theorist from the capital. He will definitely find the source of disease and save the city. Or maybe he is just an arrogant and selfish intriguer who uses this situation in his own interests?

Another one is the Haruspex - local medicine man and herbalist. He is going to restore his reputation, preserve local centuries-old traditions and invent the vaccine. Or... maybe he is just a bloodthirsty ripper, who dismembers innocent citizens at nights? And the last one is the Changeling. And she... doesn't know who she is. She claims that she heals people with bare hands... or she kills them? And she is going to perform a miracle and save everyone... or maybe she will bring them only death and destruction.

But guess what? This entire story is not about them. They are just... vessels, instruments to prove a certain point of view, certain idea, certain philosophy. The main protagonist of the game is... the Town. Yes, the Town on Gorkhon river is the main hero of this story. You have to uncover it's secrets, to find a source of disease which struck the Town, you have to learn it's history and traditions and eventually - to save the Town, or to destroy it.

This Town is special. If I'd have to give him a short description - I'd call it "TRIUMPH OF BLEAKNESS". The Town of eternal autumn - gray tones, misery and suffering, feast on the bones, grotesque architecture, brutal traditions, weird local creatures, bizarre fusion of technology and obscurantism. The place where science coexists with religion. The place, where laws of physics can be rejected. All this creates inimitable surreal atmosphere. You will despise this Town. And you will love this Town.

But for now... Pray forgive me. I have already taken too much of your precious time. It is time for you to finally witness this performance yourself. And let the Mother Boddho bless your steps.