Pathogenesis: Overcome

Sometimes current realities are the greatest inspiration for game development. That's precisely what Pathogenesis: Overcome feels like, incorporating recent themes, real locations, and an intriguing deception of survival against the odds. The first project for developers is a top-down RPG with a new take on zombie survival mechanics.

So a zombie survival game is familiar to the indie gaming scene. In fact, quite the opposite. However, Pathogenesis: Overcome focuses on the more human side of a disaster, inspired by the recent pandemic, of finding yourself and purpose during tough times. The premise is intriguing enough to not jump into the title with the expectations of a classic zombie game.

Suburban Struggles

Pathogenesis: Overcome is set in suburban St. Petersburg, Russia, where the world has faced an unprecedented pandemic that has turned people into, you guessed it, zombies. This top-down RPG will have you face up to the struggles the last pockets of humanity generally would meet. Defend against infection, curate resources for survival, and build relationships within your camp.

There's a strong focus on narrative because it strongly relates to the game's survival mechanics. The focus is on fighting for more than just survival and overcoming the mounting reality that death is looming and inevitable. Planning and strategy are essential, whereas being trigger-happy will only get you a little. Solving puzzles and making complex dialogue decisions are crucial, too.

Pathogenesis: Overcome is by no means a breeze. The narrative is incredibly dark, and players feel hopeless to the point where they wonder if it's worth playing. The truth is the game is good, well-designed, packed with challenges, and well-crafted characters and dialogue. But the gameplay is challenging, and managing assets correctly can get frustrating.

Visually, environments look beautiful and add to the dynamic of the game. However, character models and animations feel clunky throughout the game, which can detract from the immersion factor. The camera control also gets a little annoying. But the quality of gameplay means they can be overlooked, where players will find themselves likely to invest a few hours into their ongoing survival.

The Human Equation

Pathogenesis: Overcome is a well-thought-out, intricately designed game. However, the complexities in mechanics and emotionally tolling narrative could be a barrier for many players. Think of the mechanical prowess of Hatred mixed with the theme of The Walking Dead. It works on many levels but will undoubtedly be difficult for many.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Well-rounded zombie survival game with diverse mechanics
• Excellent, decision-driven narrative
• More meaningful and impactful than most indie story-rich games

Cons:

• Character models and animations deter from the immersion factor
• Highly complex survival mechanics that take patience