What is the story behind the dark towers that stand at various places round the town (like this one)? I have a vague memory of something being said about them during Burakh's scenario, but it was just a passing mention. They're watch-towers, I guess... but watching for what?

I don't remember anyone talking about them ingame. Actually, they look a lot like water-towers. ^__^

You know, I never even thought of that But dammit, they look too sinister to be water towers! I'll remain intrigued until someone unlocks one of the doors and lets me have a look inside

P.S. Do you ever sleep?

"watch-towers"

Yeah, the big bro's watching over you.

Even our water towers look sooo sinister, that a westerner perceives them as watch towers! You made the day, pal.

I guess, it's for the atmosphere. Also, the USSR designs are often like that - practical with no unneccesary steps (such as painting or decorative design) - maybe that...
I do! As a matter of fact, lately I've been sleeping for at least 9-10 hours a day which is a breakthroug for me.
Come ooooooooon, it's not that bad.
BTW, it's good that I'm not the only 'native' here on the English speaking forums - you're helping me a lot. Thanks. )

You know, all my life I've been looking forward to become a part of a good game-making team, I'm a fan at heart, but I had to make my damn living somehow and became a businessman instead(((. Dreams are so sweet sometimes, but reality strikes true everyday. However, if my mediocre, as you said, "help" is welcome here, I'm glad to be of assistance.

I guess, to a suspicious (or naive) mind anything can be sinister...

In Pathologic the town has:
1) A spring which was blocked off and re-emerged in three places (If I recall correctly the theatre, cathedral/graveyard and slaughter house)
2) The river (which appears to have industrial pipes connecting to it at several points - either as outlets or, more likely, as water intakes).
3) Water shipped in from the neighboring town (in the wagons - I'm pretty sure it was from the neighboring town anyway)

I'm pretty sure our towers are part of the second system and used as part of the industry supporting the "bull project".

Anyway, I think the water tower verdict is correct:

Chernikhov's design for the Krasniy Gvozdilshchik factory water tower (1930-31).



Water tower Aralsk




Water tower Dresna Looks familiar?



Thank you for raising this subject. I don't know if I would ever have discovered the diversity of water towers or pre-20th century ones otherwise. This could become a life long interest.

Two examples worth examining: (former Yugoslavia) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... r_tank.jpg (airport Sri Lanka, patterned on Swedish designs) http://kulasinghe.com/images/Sec_07.jpg

S!

Thanks to everyone for answering my question. I do feel slightly stupid for not considering that they could be water towers

Thanks for the pics, Avimimus. I've been looking at more water towers online and finding interesting examples from all over the world. Here are a few, rather different ones:
Budapest
Prague
Fresno

These two certainly remind me of Pathologic's towers:
Karatsu
Stockholm

Water towers in sweden look like flying saucers:



And that's turning torso in the background, in Malmö.

That's awesome! Very 'Plan 9 From Outer Space'