PATHOS

About

In PATHOS, a resilient mind is strangled by tragedy and loses its order. Through 150+ puzzles (including some of the hardest ever made for Steam), follow Ego as it works desperately to put back together a brain that’s losing the will to fight.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 29 reviews

story4 positive mentions

grinding1 negative mentions

PATHOS offers a challenging yet rewarding puzzle experience with over 150 well-designed levels that require strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
The game's calming soundtrack and minimalist graphics create an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
With a strong emphasis on replayability and a variety of character classes and abilities, PATHOS encourages players to explore and experiment with different strategies.

Some players have reported frustrating difficulty spikes in later levels, which may deter those who are not prepared for the challenge.
The lack of an 'undo' feature and mandatory move limits can make the game feel cumbersome and tedious, especially in more complex puzzles.
There are several reported bugs and broken features, such as inaccessible levels and missing story text, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

story
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
53%
20%
The story in the game is described as intriguing and thematically connected to the puzzle levels, enhancing the overall experience. While some players find the narrative pretentious or minimal, many appreciate its depth and the emotional engagement it provides, making the challenging puzzles feel more meaningful. However, there are calls for better accessibility to the story elements, such as a dedicated in-game section for re-reading narrative bits, and suggestions for voice acting to enrich the storytelling experience.
- “In Pathos, you are a little yellow cube completing an incredible amount of well-crafted levels which takes a lot of brain power and time to all figure out. Along the way, you indirectly follow the story of someone’s ego, humor, and other personal aspects, which makes it a lot more meaningful.”
- “It is this story that makes you carry on through these difficult puzzles and what I think makes this game stand apart from all the other difficult puzzle games.”
- “The use of an interesting storyline in a puzzle game, and it being done well, is a remarkable thing. I think that is one of the reasons that Pathos is different and better than your average puzzle game.”
- “And for such a story-heavy game, there should be an in-game place to re-read all the story bits without launching every level separately.”
- “It's a fairly pure puzzle game with not much else to offer other than some story dialogue, but it offers a very large amount of content for the price.”
- “Please, if you can get some voice acting for the story.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
33%
25%
The music in the game is characterized by haunting melodies and ambient soundscapes that effectively enhance the eerie atmosphere, providing a calming backdrop for challenging gameplay. While the selection of tracks is somewhat limited, players appreciate the occasional introduction of new music, which complements the game's visuals and helps maintain focus during intense moments. Overall, the soundtrack is praised for its ability to soothe and immerse players, making it a fitting choice for the game's challenging puzzles.
- “To top it all off, the soundtrack is amazing to help keep you calm while you're nearly blowing a gasket, skirting the edge of a solution you can't quite seem to put your finger on.”
- “I think for a game with difficult puzzles, this was probably the best choice for a soundtrack, not distracting the player from their primary objective but providing the relaxation and realization that it’s just a game to keep the player sane and going.”
- “Right now there's not a ton of different music selections, but one thing I do like about it is that every once in a while a new music track will slip into the game's playlist at a random stage of progress.”
- “The soundtrack of pathos, while not phenomenal on its own, is almost perfect for the game. It calms the player, who at times may want to breathe heavily while mumbling swears. Instead of that happening, I felt at ease with the calming visuals and the peaceful music in the background; I took a moment and took a breath.”
- “The soundtrack, composed of haunting melodies and ambient soundscapes, sets the mood perfectly, immersing players in the eerie atmosphere of the underworld.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
36%
27%
The gameplay is highly praised for its strategic combat mechanics, requiring players to master positioning and resource management, while the permadeath feature adds tension and encourages skill development. Although the initial learning curve can be steep, the game effectively introduces new mechanics through intuitive design, offering a wealth of content and challenging puzzles that provide dozens of hours of engaging gameplay. Despite some minor bugs, the overall experience is rewarding and appealing to both genre veterans and newcomers.
- “The combat mechanics are satisfyingly strategic, requiring careful positioning, resource management, and quick reflexes to emerge victorious.”
- “The permadeath mechanic adds a layer of tension to each run, compelling players to hone their skills and adapt to the ever-changing challenges of the dungeon.”
- “With engaging gameplay, charming visuals, and a wealth of content to uncover, it's a must-play for fans of the genre and newcomers alike.”
- “I only wish the dev would fix a few remaining bugs that prevent reaching the final set of levels, but don't let that scare you away: you have dozens of hours of gameplay before you'll even confront that issue.”
- “If you want a puzzle game that will test your limits and frustrate you while putting all of that frustration on your shoulders (the game is not cheapened by bad controls or mechanics), then be sure to pick it up.”
- “The only thing more mind-boggling than the puzzles is the price: the price is absurdly low for the amount of content Pathos offers: dozens of hours of gameplay.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The graphics of "Pathos" feature nostalgic pixel art that evokes the charm of classic RPGs, offering a polished yet simplistic aesthetic that complements its gameplay. While not groundbreaking, the visuals are inviting and enhance the overall experience, supported by a calming soundtrack that adds to the game's atmosphere.
- “While not the focus of the game, the graphics are slick, and the soundtrack is pleasant.”
- “While Pathos' pixel art visuals may not dazzle with cutting-edge graphics, they possess a nostalgic charm that harkens back to the golden age of classic RPGs.”
- “The graphics are simplistic but polished, which is just right for a puzzle game of this difficulty.”
- “While not the focus of the game, graphics are slick, and the soundtrack is pleasant.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as ambiguous, with some players finding it lacking or unclear, while others appreciate its subtlety and depth. The narrative intertwines personal aspects like ego and humor, adding a meaningful layer to the puzzle-solving experience. Overall, the humor may not resonate with everyone, but it contributes to the game's complexity and emotional engagement.
- “Isn’t it funny?”
- “In Pathos, you are a little yellow cube completing an incredible amount of well-crafted levels which takes a lot of brain power and time to figure out. Along the way, you indirectly follow the story of someone’s ego, humor, and other personal aspects, which makes it a lot more meaningful.”
- “Each puzzle has a certain amount of text reflecting various aspects of a person’s thoughts, including their humor and ego, which are all personified.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by intricately detailed environments, atmospheric lighting, and particle effects that enrich the dungeon-crawling experience. A haunting soundtrack and ambient soundscapes further immerse players in the eerie underworld, creating a captivating and immersive mood.
- “The environments are intricately detailed, with atmospheric lighting and particle effects adding depth to the dungeon-crawling experience.”
- “The soundtrack, composed of haunting melodies and ambient soundscapes, sets the mood perfectly, immersing players in the eerie atmosphere of the underworld.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The game excels in replayability, with users highlighting its strong value in this aspect, suggesting that it offers compelling reasons to play multiple times.
- “Replayability (5/5): The game offers a wealth of choices that make each playthrough feel unique.”
- “Where pathos truly shines is in its replay value, encouraging players to explore different strategies and outcomes.”
- “The variety of character builds and story paths ensures that no two playthroughs are ever the same.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be cumbersome and tedious, noting that it does not increase the difficulty but rather detracts from the overall experience.
- “As always, it doesn't make the game more difficult, just a lot more cumbersome and tedious than it should be.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively intertwines challenging gameplay with emotionally resonant scenes that delve into a character's memories, creating a profound and engaging experience for players.
- “It gets really clever and difficult later, while presenting emotional scenes from a memory of a person's mind.”