Pathologic (known in Russia as "Мор. Утопия"), was originally released in 2005, to stellar reviews in its native Russia, and a not-as-stellar reception in the West. Its main drawback - a botched and often incomprehensible translation, made the story-heavy and character-driven plot difficult to understand. Fortunately, this problem has since been rectified with this remaster, and there's more stuff - such as upgraded visuals and restored content - to make this release a worthy restoration. Pathologic takes place in a small, backwater settlement, isolated by a vast steppe. Three healers arrive in the town independently of one another and for completely different reasons - but are soon forced to stay as the town is quarantined following the outbreak of a deadly plague. Gameplay consists of exploring the bizarre world, conversing with important characters as you do your best to survive as the town descends into panic. It's hard to categorize Pathologic into a clear-cut genre, but "story-driven survival adventure" describes it pretty well. Expect lots of strange conversations (characters are delightfully eccentric) and a dreary atmosphere as you walk through the infected streets of the town. The story is where the game shines, and it has yet to be surpassed by any other game I've played. The three playable characters (known as Bachelor, Haruspex and Changeling), all experience the game's twelve days from completely different perspectives, leading them to their own conclusions. The mystery of the Sand Plague and the innumerable secrets of the town stay hidden for a large portion of the game, but damn if it doesn't constantly keep you insatiably curious throughout. That said, the visuals (even with the new graphical effects) are fairly dated by now, and the slow trudging through the town can be a bit slow-paced for some players. However, if you like story-driven games with fascinating characters and an unforgettable plot, you really can't go wrong with Pathologic.
Ah, The Void. This is a game that eludes descriptions and genres, yet states its presence loudly and clearly. It's an experience that grabbed me, asked me questions, and then left me to ponder them. You play as a nameless soul, trapped in the titular Void, which is sort of like purgatory; a "desert" (as it's described in the game). Color, that used to flow in abundance here, has gone - being replaced by endless hunger and an inevitable demise looming in the distance. You might make it out, if you can cultivate enough Color to ascend yourself (or another inhabitant) through the upper limit, but it's not going to be easy. You may very well find yourself dying as the last drop leaves your body. Gameplay-wise, The Void is a tough-as-nails survival game. While the beautiful yet bleak scenery tells stories about how this world functions, you have to think carefully about how you spend what little color you have. It's what you use to heal, to attack, to talk and to interact. There are more properties to it that I'm not going to reveal here - this is a game that thrives on discovery and exploration. Speaking of which, it should be noted that the Void can be a bit difficult to get into at first, as the introductory sequences feature little to no explanation as to how the Void works. Added to that is the oftentimes cryptic dialogue, which might initially come off as slightly pretentious. It's when you actually start listening to what is being said though, that the stars align and the story and world suddenly start making sense. You also begin to realize that the Void is a rather complicated ecosystem that has to be understood to be survived. The developers of this game, Ice-Pick Lodge, are known for making art house/avant-garde-esque video games, so don't expect to be "thrilled" or "entertained" in the traditional sense of the world. Instead, enjoy the truly unique setting, the haunting soundtrack and fascinating characters - you won't find anything else like it.
