Although Pathologic is beloved for its unique premise and complex storytelling, one of the things I appreciate about it is the exploration of Central Asian culture, given its absence in most media (the only other one that comes to mind is Fire Emblem). I've been on a history kick while I was gone, and it goes to show how much of an impact the Mongols have had (on all cultures, really) on Russia. But they're completely absent in our (non-Russian, I can't say what Russians think of it) common perception of Russian culture and history. And much of this is because of deliberate cultural assimilation and genocide by Russia (both historically and presently) dating way back to the 16th century. The fact that these are people almost entirely decimated and forgotten (in Siberia specifically, which I do not consider to be Russia proper), have their population dwindled, lands stolen, and culture and history erased just feels so sad.
It also calls into question of one does one give up on fighting such an insurmountable foe?
How can we hope to possibly fight against an enemy when we are wounded in such a manner, on our last legs? Even if we survive, the damage still remains forever. The characters and narrative criticise some characters for their stubbornness against the oppression of the Kin, but in the face of overwhelming despair I can't fault them for it.
Much can be said of the game's (and pop culture in general's) correlation of the Kin (or indigenous/non-white people) and disease (ironically, it was often European settlers who brought plagues, something that was not limited to North America; smallpox absolutely ravaged the native populace of Siberia), but I think it is interesting to view the Sand Plague almost as an allegory for colonialism. As Block says (though he shouldn't have killed those people :(), "Plague is war's sister," and the sheer desperation as the plague goes on feels so palpable to us. It's the terror of people dying on the streets, no cure for an all-encompassing destruction that kills within hours and leaves none alive (unless you use shmowders, but then you'll have severe liver damage, ha). None of them were ready for this, and they weren't expecting the plague to pop up again (and they didn't expect the First Outbreak either!) I would imagine this is like an army sweeping in and destroying the place. And indeed when the army actually shows up, they fuck everything up more.
Despite its flawed handling of them, I do believe that both textually and narratively, Pathologic wants us to empathise with the Kin and their plight. Despite their flaws and alien customs, they are still people deserving of respect and dignity, no better or worse than the Townsfolk of Pathologic.
