What making "Pathologic 3" instead of "Pathologic 2 DLC" as promised says about the game.

[Akfiz]

Aside from the obvious fact that they promised all three paths for all three characters for Pathologic 2 in pre-release marketing and after, now failing to deliver on their promises they left the game unfinished hence the hate.

It's a scummy tactic, and most people don't like to be lied to and be scummed for money. But the devs did it because (A) they thought they could get away with it, and (B) It will be easier to sell it. Not everyone would notice a new DLC. New game is much more marketable

Nobody had a problem with Pathologic 3, if you fulfilled your promises for Pathologic 2 before moving on to a new game called Pathologic 2. Rather than taking the cut content from Pathologic 2 and making it into Pathologic 3.

But, at the same time:

It's likely a sign that the gameplay loop will be very different from Pathologic 2. If they sold it as a DLC and the gameplay loop was significantly different from the Haruspex route, I think some people would receive it poorly. Making a new game helps distinguish the 2 gameplay loops.

Which, I don't think the name change helps Pathologic 3. It will divide the fans. It's not the first time in history when the devs have a great idea (Pathologic 1 & 2) and then they want to become "innovative" and turn it all to crap in future titles. People were just asking for Pathologic 2 DLC, just as the devs promised, the same game just more, maybe add extra gamemodes but don't fundamentally change the game, they didn't deliver, instead they gave us "new and innovative Pathologic 3" when people just wanted more of the same. The store already mentions "new and innovative" mechanics that will be nothing like the Pathologic 2 experience. But hey, it wouldn't be the first time the devs broke their promise so maybe they will break that one too.

While it will be better visibility for the game, as a new release, I had the silent hope of potentially being able to see paths interact with one another as in one player decision in one path affecting positively/negatively onto the other path at the same difficulty. Having them as seperate games kinda defeats that potential.

Or maybe play "versus" another player's save in that sense.

Bachelor route is a genre change compared to P2.

Though from the trailers and whatever, the game is going to heavily re-use assets such as the town, character models, which is why even with the points above, it would probably be better described as expansion rather than a separate game.

Of course, being a new game rather than DLC there's more expectations to it. I hope for fully voiced dialogue and as much content as in Pathologic 2 if not more.

They removed the survival elements out of Daniil's gameplay, making it a fundamentally different game from P2.

Hopefully, we may get some Haruspex and Changeling content in P3 just like we had in P1 with all 3. Hopefully, Clara will not be the Pathologic 4 route.

Maybe, if they really are that ambitious, make a multiplayer experience with all 3 doctors being players who try to solve the plague in their different ways. With random elements each time. Either working together or each with their own unique goals.

I guess time will tell, but this decision turned me form excited to skeptic. So no pre-order or support like for Pathologic 2. Because it has a good chance of being terrible, given all the changes.

[J_Whatever]

Originally posted by Akfiz:

Aside from the obvious fact that they promised all three paths for all three characters for Pathologic 2 in pre-release marketing and after, now failing to deliver on their promises they left the game unfinished hence the hate.

Gonna stop you right there since you're like the 10th person making this claim. Going back to the very first announcement in 2018 that they would split the campaigns, they've said that it wasn't set in stone whether future characters would be DLC under Pathologic 2. Contrary to some claims here they also never said future characters would be free. The only actual promise was that backers are getting all of it for free, which is still true.

As for receipts, link here: https://ice-pick.com/en/the-state-of-pathologic-2/

[Deadmano]

Originally posted by Akfiz:

They removed the survival elements out of Daniil's gameplay, making it a fundamentally different game from P2.

Good, I hope so! It's nice to get a different perspective on the world without the same mechanics we already know and love, else it'd just be P2 with a different coat of paint. Sometimes experimentation is what leads to something wonderful, and regardless of how the game plays out I for one am truly excited for more of the world and story I've come to love over all these years!

[ErikMalkavian]

Originally posted by Akfiz:

Aside from the obvious fact that they promised all three paths for all three characters for Pathologic 2 in pre-release marketing and after, now failing to deliver on their promises they left the game unfinished hence the hate.

It's a scummy tactic, and most people don't like to be lied to and be scummed for money. But the devs did it because (A) they thought they could get away with it, and (B) It will be easier to sell it. Not everyone would notice a new DLC. New game is much more marketable

Nobody had a problem with Pathologic 3, if you fulfilled your promises for Pathologic 2 before moving on to a new game called Pathologic 2. Rather than taking the cut content from Pathologic 2 and making it into Pathologic 3.

But, at the same time:

It's likely a sign that the gameplay loop will be very different from Pathologic 2. If they sold it as a DLC and the gameplay loop was significantly different from the Haruspex route, I think some people would receive it poorly. Making a new game helps distinguish the 2 gameplay loops.

Which, I don't think the name change helps Pathologic 3. It will divide the fans. It's not the first time in history when the devs have a great idea (Pathologic 1 & 2) and then they want to become "innovative" and turn it all to crap in future titles. People were just asking for Pathologic 2 DLC, just as the devs promised, the same game just more, maybe add extra gamemodes but don't fundamentally change the game, they didn't deliver, instead they gave us "new and innovative Pathologic 3" when people just wanted more of the same. The store already mentions "new and innovative" mechanics that will be nothing like the Pathologic 2 experience. But hey, it wouldn't be the first time the devs broke their promise so maybe they will break that one too.

While it will be better visibility for the game, as a new release, I had the silent hope of potentially being able to see paths interact with one another as in one player decision in one path affecting positively/negatively onto the other path at the same difficulty. Having them as seperate games kinda defeats that potential.

Or maybe play "versus" another player's save in that sense.

Bachelor route is a genre change compared to P2.

Though from the trailers and whatever, the game is going to heavily re-use assets such as the town, character models, which is why even with the points above, it would probably be better described as expansion rather than a separate game.

Of course, being a new game rather than DLC there's more expectations to it. I hope for fully voiced dialogue and as much content as in Pathologic 2 if not more.

They removed the survival elements out of Daniil's gameplay, making it a fundamentally different game from P2.

Hopefully, we may get some Haruspex and Changeling content in P3 just like we had in P1 with all 3. Hopefully, Clara will not be the Pathologic 4 route.

Maybe, if they really are that ambitious, make a multiplayer experience with all 3 doctors being players who try to solve the plague in their different ways. With random elements each time. Either working together or each with their own unique goals.

I guess time will tell, but this decision turned me form excited to skeptic. So no pre-order or support like for Pathologic 2. Because it has a good chance of being terrible, given all the changes.

It's True. I am NOT Buying Pathologic 3 after receiving an Incomplete and ABANDONED Pathologic 2 and paying Full Price ALSO Participating in the Alpha Play-testing.