Pathologic 1 (2005) and Pathologic 2 (2019)

  • Genre: open-world survival
  • Platforms: PC / PC, PS4, and Xbox One

Pathologic by Ice-Pick Lodge introduces players to a mysterious town deep in the Russian steppe. Taking on the role of the Bachelor, the Haruspex, or the Changeling, who happen to be in the town when a deadly “sand” plague befalls it, you will explore the town, interact with its residents, and try to find the source of the outbreak and defeat it – but you have only 12 days to so (if that’s your wish). The game was a success, followed by a remaster and a sort of a follow-up. Pathologic 2 is both a sequel and remake, with largely the same characters (with only Haruspex as a protagonist for now) and story, but improved quality and additional content.

Heroes of Might and Magic V (2006)

  • Genre: turn-based strategy
  • Platforms: PC

The fifth installment of Heroes of Might and Magic developed by Nival continues the series that places players in a fantasy world where they must explore the adventure map, strengthen their cities, build armies, and battle with opponents – both humans and computers – for resources, treasures and artifacts. The game is recognized as the second best after HoMM III – and it’s the first in the series to be fully 3D.

Escape from Tarkov (2017)

  • Genre: online FPS / battle royale
  • Platforms: PC

The events of Battlestate Games’ Escape from Tarkov are set in the fictional town of Tarkov, which has plunged into the abyss of chaos, criminality, and devastation. In the game, players choose sides between USEC and BEAR, two rival military companies, and go on 30-minute(ish) raids into various regions of the city to loot high-value items and battle their way out against AI- and human-controlled foes. The game is much-loved for its steep learning curve: players need to be versed in navigation and weapons – and even know how to treat different injuries, which makes it quite a realistic simulator.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker (2018) and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous (2021)

  • Genre: RPG
  • Platforms: PC, PS4, and Xbox One / PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

Based on the eponymous tabletop game inspired by D&D, the Pathfinder series by Owlcat Games focuses on a group of mercenaries who travel around the lands, completing quests, collecting goodies, and fighting enemies. The games can boast double-digit classes, races, and companions, triple-digit skills, magical items, and spells, as well as a lengthy narrative, a plethora of turns and endings, and much more.

Atomic Heart (2023)

  • Genre: FPS
  • Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

With its air of Soviet Futurism and a wealth of easter eggs and cultural references, Atomic Heart, released in 2023 by Munfish, took the net by storm. Set in the alternative-history, tech-advanced, and robot-filled Soviet Union of the 1950s, the game puts the player into the “uniform” of Major Sergey Nechayev (aka P-3) as he tries to unravel the mystery of why robots have run amok. The lore is stuffed with mysteries and plot twists, keeping the suspense high throughout the game.

We’ve got plenty more on video games, from our recent story on popular games set in St. Petersburg to a two-part series of the best co-op games to play with your friends. Find even more by following the Video Games tag on ITMO.NEWS.