10 Flawed Video Games That Are Actually Masterpieces

8. Pathologic

Gambitious Digital Entertainment
Gambitious Digital Entertainment

Slow, suffocating and uneventful are three adjectives that you can easily apply to this Russian-made psychological horror, which sees you control three different protagonists over 12 days, attempting to discoverthe source of an illness that's tearingthe town apart.

You wander around the town, speaking with its strange, poorly voice-acted denizens and picking up side-quests thatbring you closer to solving the mystery. Could it be something to do with the surreal Polyhedron building just outside town? Or maybe thelocal cult? And why is everything in town named after body parts?

It may not be pretty by today's standards, but Pathologic is a rabbit-warren of great ideas, where the more you get into it the more youget captivated and intrigued by its unique, grim world. The fact that you have 12 in-game days to complete the game and thatthe story continues even when main characters are killed off gives an urgency to the experiencethat not many games would dare to try.

With so much brilliance beneath its crude facade, it's no wonder Pathologic is getting a remake later this year.

Contributor
Contributor

Gamer, Researcher of strange things. I'm a writer-editor hybrid whose writings on video games, technology and movies can be found across the internet. I've even ventured into the realm of current affairs on occasion but, unable to face reality, have retreated into expatiating on things on screens instead.