When I first tried to play this game, I could never get farther than the second day, so I decided to do some research on the game before trying again. Eventually, I found the three article review of the game on RPS, and it made me really want try playing again. But in the review, the writer reveals that around halfway through the game, the map changes to an anatomical diagram of a bull and said that it was terrifying, calling it "gut wrenching". Now that I know this is going to happen, I can't help but get really anxious whenever I open the map.

So, my questions are: How bad is it really? When does it happen? And do I really need to worry?

The map opens up automatically when the picture is added. I can't remember when exactly it happens.

I think that makes me even more anxious.

It's not even half as disgusting as it sounds, really The game has far more other reasons to be anxious about.
Spoiler: This diagram can also be found at Younger Vlad's house... if I remember it correctly.

I think I can handle those other reasons (I hope), but this one really seemed to hit home to that reviewer, and the way he described it seemed pretty bad. But thanks for your help, Im going to assume it's just a moderately gross picture and not as bad as I had assumed.

Not even moderately gross. It looks like a bunch of red jellyfish swimming inside a drawing of a bull.

It's not gross really, just a bit shocking because you were expecting the map and BAM! you get the bull drawing instead. But it's just a drawing, not scary except for its meaning The review is often misleading, but that's not a bad thing.

(by the way, I like the recent increase in activity in the forum. I assume it's due to the LP http://forums.somethingawful.com/showth ... genumber=1 in the somethingaweful forum that's close to ending. If so, someone should thank Brass Monkey for sending us fresh blood! )

Alright, thanks a bunch guys. For a game that's 5 years old and not really all that popular, I'm surprised I got so many replies so soon.

The game is certainly popular round these parts Have fun and don't be scared!

[CTL] was right, the drawing is inside of Young Vlad's house, and it's not nearly as bad as I expected. Actually, it's not bad at all, I'm even a little disappointed that I was worried over something so small.

It's always great to hear someone's reactions to playing Pathologic for the first time. Let us know if you discover anything else that you find weird/disturbing/scary. And good luck!

Will do, I just got through the first day as the Haruspex. I'm liking playing as him more than the Bachelor, mostly because the translation seems to be much better.

Good luck, and have fun