Pathologic 3 Reviews
Intentionally and unintentionally thorny, but still one of the most compelling mystery adventures since Disco Elysium.
But perhaps that’s the point. Pathologic 3 is about disease and friction and difficult choices. It is not a game for everyone, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s demanding and deliberately obscure, and asks you to embrace failure as part of its teaching method; that will put people off.
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Review in Italian | Read full review
With that said, the Pathologic series has always demanded tolerance for a certain level of frustration because the payoff is so splendid, and in this regard, the third game is no exception. Intricately plotted and atmospheric, Pathologic 3’s great achievement is its reexamination of the series from a new perspective, with sweeping changes to the core that are as bold and ambitious as they are a totally natural extension of the new protagonist. It doesn’t match its predecessor’s level of tension, but in many ways it’s even more immersive and detailed. Not only does the Town-on-Gorkhon still make for one of the medium’s most transportive settings, but Daniil Dankovsky emerges as one of the medium’s richest protagonists.
Defying all traditional game design conventions like its predecessors, Pathologic 3 offers a consistently compelling journey of morality in the face of death.
Pathologic 3 is a familiar survival horror concept brought to life by artists with twenty years of experience – a mature, competent, and precisely tuned work. One of the best stories in video games, told in an extremely unique way. Is it still imperfect? Of course; Pathologic 3 still struggles with the limitations of its engine and budget, but these rarely bothered me.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Given a little more time to cook, Pathologic 3 would be an easy recommendation to players looking to see what this cult series is about. For those returning, tragic healers, these wobbles will hardly detract from the allure of another deadly vacation with gaming's most neurotic medicine man.
Pathologic 3 is like a roller coaster ride that first tires you out, then disgusts you, but ultimately fills you with pure wonder. It's not a game for everyone. The main protagonist may not be a likable companion, but his fight against death is one of the solid stories you'll remember for a while.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Pathologic 3 is the most approachable title in the series, offering a good mix of narrative, carefully crafted atmosphere, management elements, and tense infected district sections. Players need to diagnose patients correctly to stand a chance of keeping the population alive, which in turn earns the time needed to discover all the town’s secrets.
Some of the Pathologic 3 mechanics are really inventive and captivating, but the overall gameplay will drain you out.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Pathologic 3 marks the arrival of the third chapter in a unique saga, one that will be remembered not so much for its refined gameplay, but for its decidedly memorable storytelling and narrative style. Its gruesome atmosphere confronts us with contemporary dilemmas and a horror we can relate to.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Although Pathologic 3 is much more accessible than its predecessor, it's still far from being a welcoming or even minimally simple experience, as it relies on hostility and discomfort as its main attributes—and its less-than-ideal optimization unintentionally contributes to this. Obviously, it's a design that will certainly alienate a large part of its audience, but it's also what makes it a unique experience capable of appealing to its niche through its peculiarity.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Pathologic 3 kicks off 2026 with an intense and unforgettable experience, blending diverse gameplay elements into a uniquely striking whole with strong design and originality, and while the lack of voice acting slightly weakens the audiovisual impact, its bold vision and distinctive atmosphere make it absolutely worth playing—especially for those seeking something truly different.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Pathologic 3 is a deliberately abrasive survival experience that blends detective work, time management, and psychological pressure into something uniquely unsettling. It’s rough around the edges and often frustrating by design, but for players willing to engage with its systems on their own terms, it offers a bleak, rewarding experience few games dare attempt.
Pathologic 3 doesn’t want to be liked. That thing wants to be honest, even if that honesty hurts, wears you out, or is mean. It changes what it means to “play” a plague story by shifting the focus from physical life to mental endurance. You won’t be able to save a town in this power dream. It looks at responsibility, memory, and how much power we can really have.
Pathologic 3 is a must-play for anyone invested in the franchise or intrigued by narrative-driven, mechanically rich experiences. Its strongest moments come from how seamlessly story and gameplay reinforce one another, creating a game that feels deliberate and purposeful in every system. While some roughness and minor hitches persist, the game’s focus, depth, and audacity make it an essential entry in the series.
"Pathologic 3 continues the series' reboot successfully, crafting a world that's filled with charm and mystery. It's easy to lose track of time in real life as you travel through time to save a town. While it's a strong entry for the series, it can feel too easy and is on the slow side when it comes to pacing."