Pathogenic

Developer: Aberrant Labs
Publisher: Slug Disco
Released: Jul 16, 2026
Steam reviews: 93% of players recommend it, from 4,571 reviews — Steam calls that “Very Positive”
Tags: ActionIndieRPG

View on Steam

On Linux, Steam Deck and Steam Machine

Native LinuxDeck VerifiedSteam Machine: VerifiedSteamOS Compatible

Ships a native Linux build on Steam — no Proton needed. Valve rates it Deck Verified.

Valve rates it Verified on Steam Machine. Valve marks it SteamOS Compatible.

Native build: Steam · Proton tier: ProtonDB · Deck rating: Valve · Steam Machine, Steam Frame and SteamOS ratings: Valve · Compare 2,053 games · Every game Valve rated for Steam Machine

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Where to buy

Steam

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Free demo

Steam lists a free demo for this game.

The demo on Steam ↗

What owning this involves

Cloud saves · The store backs this game's saves up. That cover ends if your account does.From the store listing
Mod support · The store lists official mod, Workshop or level-editor support.From a publisher-set store category

Only what the store discloses. Nothing listed here means the store disclosed nothing — not that there is nothing to disclose.

Features

Full controller support

Single-player
Multi-player
Co-op
Shared/Split Screen Co-op
Shared/Split Screen
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
Steam Workshop
DualShock Controller Support
DualSense Controller Support
Steam Cloud
Steam Leaderboards
Remote Play on TV
Remote Play Together
Family Sharing

From the game's Steam store page.

Languages

English
Czech
Portuguese - Brazil
Simplified Chinese
French
German
Italian
Spanish - Spain
Russian
Japanese
Korean
Turkish

Steam lists 12 languages.

Age rating & content

DEJUS 6 · Violência fantasiosaThe rating board's own rating, as Steam relays it
IGRS 13 · KekerasanThe rating board's own rating, as Steam relays it

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About this game

The developer's description, from the game's Steam store page.

CELLULAR COMBAT EVOLVED

In Pathogenic, you are the disease. Experience a visceral 2D roguelike twin-stick shooter where you play as a lone parasite fighting a desperate war against the immune system. Your goal is simple: infect and conquer your human host.

To survive, you must adapt. Hunt down enemy cells, rip out their organelles, and graft them onto your own body. Evolve from a simple cell into a complex engine of destruction. Create powerful, game-breaking builds and become the ultimate pathogen.

CREATE YOUR OWN PATHOGEN

Loot, graft, and assemble your parasite from dozens of unique organelles. Combine flagella for movement, mitochondria for power, secretors for ranged attacks, and spikes for melee combat. Chain organelle effects and discover powerful synergies to build an unstoppable disease vector.

FIGHT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Battle a diverse roster of enemies, from basic immune cells like macrophages and T cells to rival parasites such as tapeworms or protozoa. Formidable bosses are lurking deep within the host's organs.

METAPROGRESSION

Collect plasmid fragments to permanently upgrade your parasite's plasmid tree between runs. Each parasite will have it's own upgrade tree allowing for a range of builds to suit your preferred playstyle.

EXPLORE A MICROSCOPIC WORLD

Navigate the procedurally generated organic landscape of the human body. Travel through distinct biomes like the branching pathways of the lungs, the pulsating chambers of the heart, and the complex neural network of the brain.

FEEL THE ORGANIC ACTION

Our detailed, colorful world is powered by a soft-body physics simulation, giving every cell, enemy, and projectile a uniquely satisfying organic feel. The combination of hand-crafted design and procedural generation ensures endless variety - each run offers a fresh and challenging gameplay experience.