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What do Pathologic 2 reviews say?
The strongest praise is for the game’s atmosphere, narrative ambition, and distinctive approach. The main criticism is that its demanding survival mechanics can get in the way of those strengths. That tension is captured by PC Gamer reviewer Tom Senior’s 2019 verdict: “A gruelling mystery game that smothers its big ideas with dour survival mechanics.” His review awarded the PC version 66/100.
Reception varies by review source. Metacritic’s PC page showed a 70 Metascore, classified as “Mixed or Average,” across 29 critic reviews when checked in 2026: 10 positive, 17 mixed, and one negative. Steam showed 92% positive from 4,629 English-language user reviews and 87% positive from 62 recent reviews at the same check. These are changing snapshots: Metacritic aggregates critics, while Steam figures summarize storefront user reviews.
Why is Pathologic 2 so hard?
The game gives you 12 in-game days during a plague outbreak and makes time, health, and supplies compete for your attention. Hunger, thirst, and exhaustion are persistent concerns; resources are scarce, and the plague is a threat in its own right. You cannot comfortably do everything, and the premise offers no guarantee that everyone can be saved. The pressure is central to the design rather than an optional challenge layer.
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#1 Best Overall
- Test your knowledge of 100 years of class horror films
- Experience the thrill of your favorite psychological thrillers, epic monsters, and paranormal events
- 600 riveting questions about the following categories: Monster, Gore/disturbing/ psychological, paranormal, Slasher, and International
- Includes 100 cards, die, rules
- 2+ players | ages 17+ | 60 min play time
That design produces the game’s defining trade-off. Scarcity and deadlines make choices consequential and reinforce the oppressive mood, but they can also turn survival upkeep into a distraction from following leads. Senior criticized the harshly tuned systems, bodily-needs pressure, and clumsy first-person combat. If you enjoy being pushed to prioritize under imperfect information, that friction may be compelling. If you prefer readable systems, forgiving recovery, or polished action, it may feel more irritating than suspenseful.
Is Pathologic 2 a survival horror game?
It is best approached as a narrative survival game with horror elements, rather than a conventional action-horror game. Its central tension comes from the plague, scarcity, time pressure, and the unsettling mystery of the town. The investigation develops through a journal and a growing web of leads, but the story and systems can be opaque. Expect to piece things together rather than receive a consistently clear explanation of what to do next.
Rank #2
- Get ready to scream your head off because you can run, you can hide, but you can never escape Trivial Pursuit Horror Ultimate Edition featuring 1800 questions spanning all horror entertainment platforms – horror movies, television shows, and books
- Answer questions from across 6 categories of horror - Gore & Disturbing, Psychological, Killer, Monster, Paranormal, and Comedy
- Classic Trivial Pursuit game board features a horror theme with horror-inspired movers including Monster Hand, Doll Head, Straitjacket, Goat Head, Cleaver in Brain, and Table Saw
- Includes 1 Game Board, 300 Cards, 6 Custom Movers, 1 Die, 36 Wedges, and 1 Rulebook
- 2+ Players | Ages 17+ | 60+ Min Play Time
Who is likely to enjoy it?
- A good fit: players drawn to oppressive atmosphere, unusual narrative ideas, mystery, and difficult decisions with no clean solution.
- A harder fit: players who want comfortable pacing, straightforward objectives, reliably smooth combat, or survival systems that stay out of the way.
- Before buying: treat the difficulty as a core part of the experience, not merely a hurdle on the way to the story. The same pressure that gives the game its identity is what many negative or mixed reactions object to.
What platforms is Pathologic 2 on?
The game first released on May 23, 2019. GameSpot lists PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One; Steam lists the Windows PC version, developed by Ice-Pick Lodge and published by tinyBuild. Current console-store availability and regional differences have not been independently established here, so check the store for your region before purchasing.
Steam PC requirements
Steam’s displayed requirements are listed below. Storefront specifications can change; its game minimum operating-system field should not be confused with the separate Steam client support note.
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- IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT: Final Girl: Hell to Pay requires the Final Girl Core Box to play. Ensure you own the Core Box before diving into this nightmarish solo adventure filled with psychological horror and torment.
- CONFRONT YOUR DEMONS: Face Razorface, a killer who thrives on your afflictions. In this hellish maze, your past mistakes will either be your undoing or the key to survival. Can you overcome your inner torment and escape the shifting Hellscape?
- UNPREDICTABLE HELLSCAPE: The ever-changing Hellscape is a maze of terrifying beauty and horror. With each step, the environment shifts, offering both peril and temptation. Will the Hellscape consume you, or can you find a way out before it’s too late?
- DEEP PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR: Hell to Pay offers a unique twist on survival horror, blending psychological terror with strategic gameplay. Navigate through your fears, deal with personal demons, and fight to stay alive in a constantly shifting nightmare.
- REPLAYABILITY: Each Feature Film Box features a unique killer and location, offering fresh gameplay experiences. Collect multiple Feature Films to mix and match different killers and settings, ensuring endless variety and excitement in every playthrough.
| Category | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit) | Not stated by Steam |
| Processor | i3 8th/9th generation around 3 GHz or Ryzen 5 | i7 around 3 GHz or Ryzen 7 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 | GTX 970 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Not stated by Steam |
| Storage | 25 GB available space | 25 GB available space |
Steam marks an SSD as best. Separately, Steam says its client has supported Windows 10 and later since January 1, 2024; that client policy is not the same as the game’s listed minimum operating system.
What editions or add-ons are listed?
Steam lists The Marble Nest, an Artbook, and a Soundtrack as digital add-on content; its Supporter Bundle includes those items with the game. These listings do not establish that physical editions are available.
Rank #4
- TWISTED TERROR: Challenge your friends on frightening facts with a trivia game that tests your knowledge on horror facts in every genre. Call a priest, gas up the chainsaw, and sharpen the machete…will you survive the night?
- HORROR FANS: Think you know all there is to know about creepy dolls, psycho killers, haunted places and legendary monsters? Try to answer trivia questions with your knowledge of scary movies, books and tv shows to win.
- QUICK PLAY TRIVIA GAME: Survive the night by answering multiple questions correctly to collect weapon cards. The first player or team to collect 3 different weapons cards wins. Each card has 2 ghoulish questions, play time: 20 mins.
- GAME NIGHT GORE: A variety of questions covers classic and modern horror. Easy questions for the horror novice and more challenging questions for die hard fans make the game fun for the whole group!
- THE GORY DETAILS: Horror Trivia is perfect for 2 or more players or teams and is an absolute "scream" at parties. Ideal for horror fans, adults and teens ages 13 years and older, game includes 150 cards with 300 questions and answers.
Verdict: Is Pathologic 2 worth playing?
Yes, if you value atmosphere, originality, and a mystery shaped by relentless survival choices enough to tolerate rough edges and opaque systems. Its mixed critic aggregate and strongly positive Steam user response reflect different groups judging a deliberately divisive game—not a single consensus that it is either universally great or simply bad.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ADULT CARD GAME FOR GAME NIGHT - Don’t Get Stabbed! is an adult party game where you get to kill your family and friends! ... for pretend of course. It’s inspired by horror movies of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, but is light-hearted enough for everyone to enjoy. The ultimate Halloween game!
- COMPETITIVE & EASY TO LEARN - This entertaining game is playable for 3 to 5 players. One person is elected as the killer (whoever is the most evil in your group) and the rest are victims. The killer wins by killing all the victims. The victims win by escaping.
- HILARIOUS & REPLAYABLE- The average player will love this game for its gameplay! The horror fan will love the art on many of these cards which features classic horror movie tropes. There is tons of fun in playing this game and in its artwork.
- ADULT PARTY GAME – It may look cute, but like most horror movies it has topics you probably don’t want your children knowing about. For ages 18+.
- WHAT’S IN THE BOX?! – Included in the box are 64 Main Deck Cards and 13 Car Deck Cards printed on premium glossy playing cards (2.5 x 3.5 inches), for a grand total of 77 cards. Also included is one instruction booklet.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
