Pathologic

[CB..]

by Buka entertainment..

http://g2games.com/pathologic

this is a great adventure game...cept it is played in full 3D from the FPS perspective..if you can imagine a very large stripped down "Oblivion" type city scape..with a adventure game type plot and gameplay mechanics then you have the idea..

very interesting gameplay centred around an epedemic which hits this city...leaving you as one of three characters to attempt to find the source and possible cure..very open ended and non linear gameplay and storyline...with plenty of random events and possibilities..the emphasis is centred around non violent interaction (your there to find a cure not shoot every thing that moves lol) so even tho there are weapons available in the game..you are discouraged at every point from using them..(so far any way- haven't finished it as yet)

lots of the usual adventure game interaction with the main characters conversational choices from menus etc etc..except it is just slightly higher up the evoloutionary ladder than most normal conversations in that the choices pose as many questions as they answer frequently..leaves you doing a spot of sherlock holmes head scratching even as you follow the objectives through-

if you like traditional point and click adventure games but allso wish that some one would make one set in a fully modelled and dynamic 3d world (ala the Oblivion model) then this should have it's moments of fascination..

the graphics are not cutting edge to be honest and they haven't gone over board on the populations faces and clothes etc..(lots of cloned citizen "types" rather than distinct individuals) but this doesn't detract from the game at all..IMO..

the health stats and other survival factors are extremly subtle (for a game) and require allmost "sim" like attention in order to remain healthy and survive each passing day- the game is played over a period of 12 days-

lots of alternative ways to play the game --play it straight or choose your own level of honesty thru-out the game-- steal kill break into houses if you want..(all the houses have interiors and occupants etc etc)--plenty of scope for imagination and trying differing ways to survive and solve the dilemas-

fascinating so far...give it a try

allso has one of my favourite features for a computer game...you don't need the cd in the drive to play it lol (it comes on two cds)
being an inverterate lazy bum..i like to collapse in front of the PC double click an icon and play...searching for cds checking they are clean and slapping them in the drive is often the difference between me playing a game and simply changing my mind and doing some thing else instead..ho hum...any huw thumbs up for the double click and play aproach every time IMO!+