I'd like to preemptively apologize for how I pronounce "Olgimsky" and "Herbs."

I heard my life ruining, completely unused college degree stir in my book case when you said ludonarrative dissonance

People: This is tedious and painful and makes you question everything. Russians: I see this as an absolute win

"The Cemetery: You're always welcome here." Damn it's true.

41:15, "It's because the story is so interesting that the intense difficulty of the survival elements bothers me so much". This, is exactly what I feel playing Pathologic 2. My feelings towards the story are basically what an extremely hardworking father feels towards his children when he doesn't have time to connect with them because he's so focused on working to provide for them. In Pathologic, you get so focused on getting resources to survive, to cure your bound and the people in the hospital that you would deliberately ignore any side quests that contain mostly dialogue which offer interesting characterization because you don't have enough TIME. I started the game being mesmerized by everything, by day 4 and onwards I was just going on a loop of "Gotta eat, gotta sleep, gotta cure, gotta get cured, ain't got time for the story".

So in conclusion: the sequel to the most Russian game ever has somehow become even Russianier...excellent.

And yes, I found your amazing channel because, in a drunken haze, I bought Pathologic HD and, the next day, wondered what fresh hell I had forced into my life. I am eternally thankful for that blackout purchase.

Lord Mandalore sent me here and I'm glad he did, time to dive into your backlog.

Mandalore sent me. You got a new sub, this was really great.

The second time I played this game, I switched off the intended difficulty and set everything to as easy as possible. On the first day I was nearly skipping with my hands in my pockets marvelling at the time and food I had left. That very quickly changed. The game became easier but it somehow never lost its challenge and its oppressive atmosphere. That's an amazing feat by ice pick lodge.

I got rock hard when I saw a 44 minute long grim beard review.

You're a hell of a salesman Grimmy, just bought it due to your recommendation. I think you recommend it at least? Anyways your unique take on reviewing is the only thing so far that's made me consider purchasing this so job well done.

This is a wonderful review. "This is the road we need to be on" is such a great view on the future of games. I'd love to see Ice-Pick's stuff get wider recognition. They really are my favourite studio, they make my favourite games, and my favourite art. Again - a really great review.

Don't shame Haruspex for stress eating, it's a very unpleasant week for him, alright??? Just. Thank you for engaging with the game on its level. Not sure I agree with this one being better at teaching the player its concepts - but the prologue does give its best to be engaging and memorable.

In Russia towns are usually called like the rivers they're set on. Like the city Volgograd is a city on the river Volga So Gorkygrad is the name on the town

How the fuck does this guy have UNDER 10 000 subscribers? The quality of his content is extremely high and he's been doing it for ages. Fuck me. The world is unfair.

Really great and fair review of the game. Pathologic 2 is propably the only game I ever pre-ordered that was truly worth its money (but I haven't really pre-ordered many games throughout my life). I loved every second of it (except maybe the Abbatoir, that was somewhat frustrating). It was everything I wanted and even more. I only ever finished the Bachelor in the original Pathologic. And while I do love Pathologic, I have no desire to ever play it again. It was really tedious and slow. One time I actually fell asleep playing it. Pathologic 2 is still slow, but far less so than the original. I also found Pathologic 2 to be more difficult and stressful than the original. By being like this it really eradicated any potential for boredom because one is constantly on edge, anxious and worried. There's so much to do, so many clues to follow and so many people to save, all while having so little time and also being on the verge of starvation and exhaustion. It's brilliant. I managed to do every main and sidequest in the original without feeling too stressed, but Pathologic 2 forced me to prioritise and sacrifice. Also the "idea-web" or whatever you call it is a really great and interesting take on a quest-menu and I hope that more games do something similar. The setting is also something that I really adore. It's such a weird and unique culture that feels really fleshed out, organic and alive. So much effort went into creating this weird mythology and it's legends and language. And it really paid off. I also agree with you that the game conveys its story and themes more effectively than the original. The story was there and it was great, but easy to miss between flowery prose, endless sentences and it's janky presentation. At times it was hard to actually understand why you are doing something. P2 delivered it's story and themes really effective. I was completely engaged and understood why I was doing something and how it's connected to other things and what I'm actually supposed to do next without blatantly telling me. And while I do really love this game, I completely understand why most people won't. What I find appealing is a complete turn off for others. It is hard, hostile, unaccessible, depressing and stressful, while also being really janky and game-y. And most people aren't into that, in the same way that many people aren't into Eastern-European holocaust dramas. Without wanting to sound pretentious, Pathologic 2 is more art than entertainment. The kind of art that doesn't want to look nice or evoke positive or sublime emotions, but rather shock, horrify and discomfort. You said it well: "If we're going to get a masterpiece of gaming it's on this track". While I think that we already had a few masterpieces so far, Pathologic 2 is incredibly ambitious and aims to achieve something bigger. I hope that either Ice Pick Lodge or some other developer manages to build on those ideas and ambitions and deliver something that can be universally considered as a masterpiece. I really love this game and I'm actually looking forward to playing it again. I'm also really excited for the other characters and I hope that this game is successful enough so that the developers can continue doing their thing.

38:09 WOAH! This game has dialogue choices? I'm buying right now!

Bro, for someone who's been doing this for so long, you have amazingly few subscribers, which just points out to me you're a guy who won't compromise. That's CHARACTER, man!

You should play The Void, its on steam and its another Ice Pick Lodge game that from what I hear is also pretty weird and hard.

This series is my aesthetic, as strange as that may sound. I haven't gotten around to this one yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I "enjoyed" the HD version of the first game quite a lot, but the improvements and easier difficulty options of this version would go a long way to help me "enjoy" going through it again. I wish we'd somehow managed to get one of the other two characters first, though, as I liked them more.

Pathologic 2 is legitimately the best game I have played in the past decade. While I did not have as much "fun" with it as I did with RDR2 or Breath of the Wild or Stardew Valley... no game has drawn me in like Pathologic 2 did in a very long time. It's a true masterpiece, and it is a real shame that it is one so many will never experience, and just as many would never give a chance if they did. I feel like those who appreciate Pathologic 2 _really_ appreciate it though at least. Easily my game of the decade. I remember people extolling how great yet impenetrable the first Pathologic game was on gamefaqs back when it came out, and always meant to try it but never did. I'm kinda glad I didn't and waited for Pathologic 2. I _want_ to tell people to play it, to not touch the difficulty, to practice and 'git gud' and immerse yourself in the story and world... but you have to want to. This is not a game you throw on for a good time and a relaxing day after work. This is the video game equivalent of a heady art movie that really makes you think and leaves you stunned and silent for the rest of the day afterward. Some people just don't like that kind of experience. Pathologic 2 isn't a game you play, it's a game you experience.

"*sigh* i didnt know that kid from my minecraft sever was that young." made me laugh pretty hard :)

Fuckin Sweet, thanks for making this (btw, you can exit the craft screen after starting the brew - it'll continue to brew and you can do other things)

Honestly it's my favourite game of that year (and I believe DMC5 came out the same year). It's a deep, interesting and tense survival horror game. The story is especially great in its original language, but the translation is fantastic this time as well.

10/10 "I had no fun at all, would definitely recommend"

Love your style of review!

"But that means braving possible and almost inevitable seeming infection, no matter how much you prepare yourself with protective clothing and immunity boosters ... every second you spend there is putting you in danger." Also known as going out shopping in 2021.

This game is a fantastic series of interwoven currencies, all either directly fed by your limited Time or in some way affecting it. Figuring out those exchange rates and what/when to "trade" is the fun. You could build a cork conspiracy board about how it all ties together, mechanically and plotwise and the overlap between the two. I couldn't get through P1 as either of the initially available characters without tapping out, but P2 is enjoyable even when it's miserable.

I need to share this because no other humans I know can tolerate this game. I managed to get just enough Schmowders for everyone. Notkin got sick, for at least the second time, and I made the mistake of going to on and skipped forward to his death. I finished the damned game with one spare Schmowder and my favourite boy dead. His theatre reflection is perhaps the saddest one, to me, for he was still a little boy in spite of his pretenses of adulthood.

Dug that Lost reference at the end there. Great work as always.

You're one of the few tubers that has the chops to take on Pathologic Grim. I think I will just experience the dark frustration vicariously through you for this game. You've made me cancel my Microsoft Word subscription to patronize you instead, and my word means something.

"Well wait a second, I remembered that jumping is pointless." You sure about that? Maybe I'm just more exploratory than you, but there were a handful of times when I found myself stuck in the collision geometry, and the only way out was to jump. Other times it was the only way to get through some small gaps when being chased by muggers or when trying to exit an infected district quickly. So jumping is only helpful in some specific situations, but in those situations it is in fact extremely helpful.

Wow this is an incredibly grim amount of content! Watching this at work and my boss just happens to walk past @3:05...

Oh hell yes. Been waiting for this

I appreciate your perspective, despite coming around to your vid a little (4 years) late. Thank you very much for sharing. 🙏🏼

That's an amazing birthday present for me. Dropped everything to watch this!

I adore this game, even as it made me question my sanity and blood pressure.

I stop looking at KZfaq for 5 minutes and this is what I find?! Awesome ~

Holy shit! I just realized that megastructure on the right side of the map is a heart! You can see the valves of it on the map screen... That's so fucking cool!!!

uploaded 30 minutes ago. i should be studying, but you know. new upload.

Never clicked on a video this fast ever before.

Pathologic is basically the Texhnolyze of video games.

I have never had a more dread inducing experience in a game than I had staring at my map in Pathologic 2, trying to think of some optimal route that could get me through the town and to everywhere I needed to be that day and realising it was physically impossible without dying of exhaustion. These fuckers made a map screen more engaging than half the games I've played and that's a fucking achievement

Love your channel!

Ok, I really didn't expect this. What a pleasant surprise to wake up to.

34:05 - Jumping isn't pointless, there are shortcuts that require jumping, like stacked boxes near a wall or one way drops.

Thanks for the review! Out of curiosity, are you planning to look at The Void as well? Personally I think it still remains Ice Pick's best game, even taking into account this remake.

Oh shit, I was jumping on the dead bodies down stair at the very start of the tutorial and realized it's the kids.

Even a broken knife is faster and better than your Fists! Forget the revolver, trash! Shotgun all the way!

I like the fact that Russian survival games are all about disempowering you. You're not a superhero, you can't just shoot all your problems, slaying the monster is not always the best thing to do - you might get injured you might really really need that ammunition later. But also it makes your victory that much greater and sweeter and makes you think of the characters far more as heroes. Doing the right thing, finding a cure, tending to patients was not the easy or simple choice. It wasn't something they could just do while floating above everyone else. They had to run around, ever hungrier and more exhausted, and the plague hit them the same way it hit others and still they triumphed against the odds. I really hope they get to release the Bachelor - he's my favourite character.

I've been waiting for this big daddy

Me boy, you should really review the game based on “The Thing” it’s a murder mystery with tough boi soldiers and eldritch horrors

05:37 my laughter here scared my uber driver

You’re hilarious man. Once youre firmly in the algo youre gonna EXPLODE

Not gonna lie, I would watch the hell out of an entire playthrough of you playing this game because theres NO WAY in hell I will play it, but you make this game sound damn amazing and provocative.

New video. Yes, yes, YES!!!!

Your reviews of Pathologic 2 and the 2005 original are the best. You are very talented youtuber. I would love to see your video on Knock Knock Knock - another game by Ice Pick Lodge. It's very much different to everything they've done but just as weird and unique. I'm sure you'll enjoy it )

currently about 20 hours in, and stress simulator is about right, the traveller gave me the option to remove the penalties for dying but at an unknown cost, I am not looking forward to finding out what it could be :p great review btw!

Love your videos, they are the best. At 1:33, you use "inhibit stress" and I think you mean something like "incite stress". "inhibit" means to restrain, which is the opposite of what you mean.

"i am not mad at you" Oh, nice "I am mad at Russia, to be honest" ....

Thanks for the video!

44 minutes review.... Grim you spoil us

One of my favs!

Pathologic 2 is the video game adaptation of Pathologic

A lot of your advice about this game is just solid life advice. I keep coming back to: "If it's unbearable, change it!" That really speaks to my depression.

I watch this video whenever I need to laugh. Speaks to me on all the levels

Ok, now i gotta buy this

I always thought 'knowing the lines' was because you're the protagonist 'the star of the play' since this is all a play that metatextually expressing itself right?

Everyone should try this game. Yes it's rough around the edges but it's still a gem! Challenging with deep lore and a great story. Support Ice Pick so they can keep bringing new games!

Did you make a review of 'The Void' ? It's from the same guys who made Pathologic

3:06 I have a certain mentality. Who can tell me what game this is?

This is so good and I'm angry it doesn't have 600k views >:(

i'm dreading this one, the soundtrack of the old one will always be stuck with me

hey man im a bit late since I was at work when you uploaded your video but I enjoyed it!! It was fucking phenomenal and the game is interesting (though sadly it's not for me cause I also like to have fun with games). Keep up the great work my dude!!

I both hate and love that you are a little sneaky youtube boi. I can enjoy you without feeling like i like something other people like... At the same time you deserve much more love.

It's more enjoyable to just hear people talk about this game than actually play it.

Надеюсь, что тебе понравится игра от Ice-Pick Lodge!

would you please consider reviewing "Beckett"? It's a pretty low-key atmospheric horror-y game with some very interesting and unique visuals, but no one's talked about it!

Okay, but what is 3:05? I have to know! For science!

10:55 -- If you ever come out with a novelization of all your reviews, please consider "An Imperceptible Ass: The Best of Grim Beard" as a title. Thanks. You are loved.

Thanks Grim!

Oh shit you beat Mandalore. Though that may be because he crippled himself physically, but still you deserve more subs.

You know, every time one of these comes out, I always think, 'Damn I love this dude'. If I had more money i'd give you a bunch. But I really don't. A shame for me AND for you really.

The Ulysses joke was spot-on. You gotta read Ulysses like you play Pathologic: consider their (experimental) intent beyond the limitation of their chosen art form. They're not just enjoyment or escapism and don't have obligations to be after a certain point. A lot of people don't want that out of their books or games, and that's cool. Some do. Also cool. Buy Pathologic 2. Read Ulysses if you want to I guess? Or just the Sirens chapter.

You know... I keep hearing that the game is not supposed to be fun to play. Well, having just finished it I have to say I loved playing it. At times it induced stress and anxiety for sure but it was definitely fun. Maybe I´m just sadistic :D

Well I was on the fence about grabbing patho 2 because I beat the first one but it looks like enough has changed to warrant buying it. Glad you did another pathologic video Grimmy. 100% right the game isnt "fun" in the traditional sense. Edit: feels good being the only tier 6

0:50 I noticed a new song. Are we gonna get some new music? Please...?

29:52 Holy Crap ! It's David Faustino (Bud Bundy)

FYI dracula can't cross running water in the novel, "it is said, too, that he can only cross running water at the slack or the flood of the tide"

Eat the dirty pizza! Best metaphor ever.

Hey, what did you use as intro music? Sounded a bit like psyclone nine. Could need some new industrial

You made me (buy the game).

Lol clearing a malfunction on that revolver does an animation like he's racking a slide - I'm just tryna figure out how that works now

While watching this video, I found out that in youtube, the numerical keys skip that percentage of the video. Immediately after, I invented a new form of music: Percent-Step. The first ever "Percent-step" song is called "Do the block break". You can reproduce it pretty well by watching this video, and pushing'5' at a bunch of different cadences until you get: "Do the block, do the block do the do the block break". Need to hit "mute" at the end to truncate "breaking" to break. OCD sure is fun.

Eat the dirty pizza 🍕! I nearly pissed myself laughing

I absolutely loved your description of the fighting system. It's a huge argument against people who think it's bad or poorly executed, because while devoid of any opinion or excuse, you can listen to it out of context and think you're talking about real-life fights. That's exactly what the developers intended "You just maay be able to fend off 2 or maybe 3 guys, especially if you have a knife"

The way you describe the game welcoming you in a passive-aggressive way, kinda paints you like the Haruspex.

Anybody have an idea about the background music ? starts around 10:18 - 'tis really groovy

I'm looking for spots to jump right now, so far after I talked to Karm Lletromi and popped into my first fever dream I went up stairs and stood on top of the dead body that I thought was breathing cause shits loading and was able to jump down stairs. I randomly think of the jump button statement throughout my work day.