From Press Release:
January 9, 2026 | HypeTrain Digital and Ice-Pick Lodge are excited to announce the Steam release of Pathologic 3, the long-awaited next entry in the cult series known for its uncompromising narrative, surreal atmosphere, and experimental game design.
In Pathologic 3, players take on the role of Daniil Dankovsky, a brilliant physician and researcher obsessed with the nature of death. Drawn to a remote town in the eastern steppe in search of an immortal man, Dankovsky arrives just as a deadly plague begins to spread. With only 12 days to stop the epidemic, every decision matters—and time never stops moving forward.
Developed by Ice-Pick Lodge—award-winning veterans of the industry with over 20 years of history—Pathologic 3 continues the studio’s signature exploration of mortality, power, and responsibility. The game is a standalone story that can be played without prior knowledge, while remaining closely connected to the themes and events of Pathologic 2.
Alongside the release, the team has also recently unveiled a new trailer created in collaboration with Akira Yamaoka, the legendary composer behind Silent Hill, further reinforcing the game’s oppressive atmosphere and psychological tension.
The game combines narrative-driven survival mechanics with a unique approach to time manipulation, allowing players to revisit key moments, rethink their choices, and face new consequences. Medical diagnosis, political authority, and mental stability all play a critical role in determining the town’s fate.
Key Features
-
Examine patients face-to-face, uncover lies, and deliver life-or-death diagnoses
-
Enforce quarantines, curfews, decrees, and roadblocks to control the outbreak
-
Gain—or lose—the trust of townsfolk and the three ruling families
-
Fight the plague in the streets and suppress riots as the city collapses
-
Use a time-rewind mechanic to return to critical moments and choose differently
-
A story-focused single-player campaign with multiple endings
-
30–60 hours of gameplay, depending on playstyle and choices
Website / Discord / X (Twitter)
About Ice-Pick Lodge
Ice-Pick Lodge is an award-winning independent game studio with over 20 years of history. Known for its bold narrative experiments and distinctive aesthetic, the studio has released seven games that have garnered critical acclaim and formed a dedicated community around them. Pathologic remains the studio’s signature series and one of the most frequently cited examples of video games as an art form.
About HypeTrain Digital
HypeTrain Digital is an independent game publisher for PC and consoles, focused on bringing distinctive and ambitious titles to global audiences. The company has published numerous critically acclaimed games, including Stoneshard, Voidtrain, Black Book, and Breathedge.
