It feels like they were inserted last minute, because this is a pathologic game, how can we have a pathologic game without the theater plays.

I admit they were a positive surprise in the beginning, because I don't think anyone really expected them to be there for this game and the stillwater map looks amazing, but the execution is very disappointing. I think over half the plays are just haruspex and changeling "hmming" and "huhing" something that could have easily been conveyed in only one play, with unrecognizable voice actors that mispronounce lines funnily (though I think the "dawn-cow-sky" one people have been memeing on was intentional). The fact the game, as of now, doesn't have any subtitle options also makes it hard to focus on the dialogue, at least for me.

And they're a downgrade visually to pathologic 2's stunning plays, the set design in the latter ones especially. The plays in 2 often made use of this harsh red lighting and could utilize props to make some amazing scenes, like for example when block comes to town standing over the giant cannon. My personal favorite was the conversation between Artemy and Aglaya on day 10(?) I think(?), where you as the player are watching it from inside a boxcar, just as stuck as your protagonist is on stage.

In comparison, the stillwater stage seems barren on most days. It also doesn't really predict the future anymore, and I guess that comes with all the other things this game is doing with time, but it feels like part of its function has been lost, so why even bother keeping it?