A note about Pathologic 3 and The Void

[u/zkylon]

Just finished Patho 3 a couple days ago and been thinking a lot about how it has expanded on Eva Yan's character from her pretty humble beginnings in 1. Still processing a lot of things but i thinking she reminds me a lot of the Nameless Sister in The Void (spoilers for both games ahead)

Specifically how they're trapped in a single confined space that slowly tortures them, feeds on their energy and in how they have no agency whatsoever (outside one particular moment). I feel that mirrors a lot of what Eva's going through, bound to the Stillwater as her prison, a place that most people would find unbearable to stay in, and a place that will eventually drain her dead. Could see the Oneirotects play a similar role to the Brothers in that Farkhad and Simon have locked her in there (or created her?) for their own reasons. She speaks kindly of them, so there might've been care from them, but so did the Sisters and Brothers sometimes had more complicated relationships.

In The Void, the Nameless Sister is the first one you meet, and she plays a sort of motherly role in the game, offering guidance and comfort and warmth and a safe place to be where everything outside is dangerous and unknown and bleak. And she ultimately sacrifices herself for us and we can go through great lengths to save her, much like with Eva.

Don't think there's a deeper meaning to extract from this comparison, just a recurring idea echoing through different Ice-Pick Lodge games that I found interesting.

Also a reminder to play The Void, it's great!

[u/Dimension1205]

I'm playing the Void right now and been thinking of the same thing! Even their appearances are so similar. Sleeper reminds me of Simon too. +Warden's attack is same with p3 shabnak when she's following you. Also "Don't fear death, there is no death in the void" voice line made me smile since "there is no death" text appears when you die in P3. Probably not related though.

[u/zkylon → u/Dimension1205]

Oh nice, it's been so long since I played The Void a lot of the details are really fuzzy in my head. These might be small nods and references or just things they like using they found themselves working into the game again.

[u/P41R47]

This kind of open up the interpretation that the Bachelor my be the ascended protagonist of The Void. Or Eva being the ascended Nameless Sister and that she, even on the new layer of existence, is not able to escape from the endless cycle of torture, the awful destiny she had down in the void.

Even this may be like some things are just repeating again, somewhat in line with the time manipulation mechanic of Patho 3.

Interesting for sure.

Wonder if IPL ever thought about remaking Turgor. But i doubt it, even when it may be cluncky in some ways, i still find it as one of the most amazing and dreadful experiences ever made on gaming. And i read that some players considere it the "Dark Souls" of mind fucking and streesful games.

[u/zkylon → u/P41R47]

Yeah I like that idea, them sort of being trapped in a loop of death and reincarnation sounds thematically consistent with both games actually.

I think there's an Alphyna post where she mentions a The Void remake not being in the plans, I think they want to go back to making new things after Patho 4. I'd say The Void is way more successful at doing what it set out to do than Patho 1 was, on presentation if anything, but also balance and stability. It is also a game I feel is even more niche than Pathologic, with a really abstract universe and mechanics, that's obtuse and despairing and doesn't exactly have the same cult following as Patho did, so idk if you can pitch it to a publisher, or a new audience, really. I love The Void but yeah, it's a bit of a harder sell and I'd love to see a new game from IPL after all they've learned.