Welcome to This Is Not A Review. In these articles we discuss general impressions, ideas and thoughts on any given game, but as the title implies, it’s not a review. Instead, it’s an exercise in offering a quick recommendation (or dismissal) after spending enough time to grasp the ideas and gameplay of a thing without necessarily playing it from A to Z. The subject of this installment: Pathologic 3: Quarantine, developed by Ice-Pick Lodge and published by HypeTrain Digital.
When I played Slay the Spire and Into the Breach for the first time, I knew each one would exert major influence, and that many devs to come would offer their own spin on the mechanics canonized in these titles. What I didn’t expect, however, was that developers would take these two very different games and fuse them together. However, the Tactical Roguelite Deckbuilder is here to stay.
HIGH Clever level design. Throwback one-bit style. Unsettling sci-fi and horror elements.
LOW Missed opportunities for world-building, wonky controls, tedious trial and error gameplay.
WTF No mouse controls whatsoever?
HIGH A striking pixel art style.
LOW The gameplay feels patronizing.
WTF The ending.
HIGH An intriguing tale that features some interesting twists.
LOW Game performance issues and stilted voice acting mar the experience.
WTF You don’t want to turn 57 years old in HaustVille…
HIGH That sweet Myers vs Myers action.
LOW The demon boss that’s only vulnerable when it wants to be.
WTF Is that weapon themed around the time Michael Myers killed a dog?
HIGH Original creature ideas, interesting blend of action/RTS, quality-of-life updates.
LOW Monotonous level design, bland color palette, awkward menus and dated animations.
WTF Guy who says “we’re screwed!” then “it’s alright, I’m OK” a second later.
HIGH Correctly identifying my first spirit!
LOW Trying singleplayer mode.
WTF Why is there a full ribcage in this garage?
HIGH The return of Frank Stone.
LOW That rescue attempt came with some pretty harsh consequences.
WTF This ‘happy ending’ raises more questions than it answers!
HIGH Finding the final crystal skull.
LOW Repeatedly being teleported deep enough to have the air crushed out of my lungs.
WTF Finding out what Bait is made out of.