Pathogen - A Wretched & Alone Journal Game

(Download the free file for a sample of the GamePlay)

Welcome to the Zenith Orbital Research Facility, a state-of-the-art space station orbiting a mysterious planet deep in the Gamma Sector. A harrowing tale of survival and exploration unfolds in this remote outpost of human ingenuity.

The tranquility of Zenith was shattered when a previously unknown alien lifeform breached the facility. This encounter unleashed a virulent extraterrestrial pathogen that has transformed the station into a living nightmare. Everything aboard the research facility, from the exotic plants in the lush bio-dome to the diverse fauna in the advanced research labs, and even the crew members themselves, have fallen prey to horrifying mutations caused by the pathogen.

Isolated in the vastness of space, the station is under strict lockdown. No messages can be sent to the outside world, and the only link to Earth is the sporadic delivery of essential supplies by the Earth Space Command, sent to the station's airlock. These deliveries are rare and precious, leading to fierce competition among the crew for these life-sustaining resources.

The chain of command has crumbled. Only two senior officers remain, their authority weakened as the crew fractures into small, self-serving factions. The alien invasion and the relentless spread of the pathogen hit the senior officers hardest, swiftly claiming many of the older, more vulnerable crew members. Those who remain bear little resemblance to their former selves, exhibiting alarming mutations like glowing skin, unnaturally elongated limbs, bizarre organ formations, and even exoskeletal enhancements.

You are part of a small group of three in this chaos, clinging to survival. Tragedy strikes when one of your companions falls ill and is quarantined in the medical bay. Defying orders, you later find their bed ominously empty, their quarters deserted. Your friend has vanished without a trace.

Driven by loyalty and desperation, you leave your secured zone's relative safety. You're prepared to brave Zenith's dangerous, mutation-infested corridors in a perilous quest to find your missing friend. This decision, however, comes with grave risks. If the Earth Space Command discovers your insubordination, they might cut off your only lifeline — the supply deliveries — or abandon their rescue promises altogether. Armed with nothing but your wits and the company of your sole remaining ally, you must navigate the treacherous and mutated landscape of the space station. You'll confront the twisted horrors wrought by the alien pathogen, outmaneuver hostile factions, and grapple with the daunting reality of your situation, all while clinging to the hope that Earth Space Command will honor their commitment to save you. Time is running out, and every moment in the dangerous corridors of Zenith brings you closer to either salvation or doom.