Welcome to the anticipated release of the hospital tycoon style game that is Two Point Hospital. Developed by Two Point Studios and published by Sega, this game is a highly anticipated release as there hasn’t been a game like this since Theme Hospital. I know I was looking forward to playing a new “spiritual successor” to this childhood favourite of mine.
So, as you can imagine, hearing about this game got me hyped to play, and a disappointment it was not. Getting into a new game you will notice a difference right away. This time we are working on an island rather than the original that took on the appearance of a board game. The first hospital, again much like Theme Hospital, you get basic rooms with options to get you started and learn how to play the game. As you move forward through the levels/locations on the map, you will encounter new illnesses and new ways to cure them.
One illness to cure of note, which is a personal favourite, is known as Mock Star. The patient resembles a well-known rock star and even performs some well-known actions associated with the artist, which needs to be cured by a psychiatrist. This is just one in a huge list of illnesses you have to try and cure throughout you hospital management career. In addition, you’ll need to work with specialist hospitals, in which you will see a high number of a specific illness and will have to make sure you prioritise, or you will be overrun with ghosts.
Ghosts, I hear you say? Well, sure, why not? I think this feature is a great addition. If you fail to treat the patient or the treatment doesn’t work the patient has a chance of dying, and then on top of that you run the risk that the patient will come back to terrorise your staff and patients as a ghost. The only ones that you can call upon to help, and no not Ghostbusters, is your specially trained janitors.
With qualifications being a thing in Theme Hospital, it’s only right that its not only kept, but improved upon, such as the janitors needing a ghost busting skill to be able to take care of those pesky non-corporeal beings. The training room offers the ability to bring in a guest trainer if you are not lucky enough to have a member of staff with the skill/qualification already, but this comes at a premium. Not only must you pay out for the trainer to come to your hospital, for every individual staff member you wish to train there is a fee also, so just remember to watch your finances.
Luckily, a game of this genre is not expected to have super realistic graphics, nor is there a need. Even with that being said, I feel Two Point Studios knocked it out the park with the style they chose. The animations of the characters within the game makes it a little cheesy, but not over the top, and it all works well together. Adding music to the game could of been done easily, but again they went a step further. To enhance the immersion you feel as if you are listening to a hospital radio, along with its own mellow voice DJ. Unfortunately, this can feel a bit repetitive at times.
So, was this game worth playing? Most definitely yes. If you are someone that played Theme Hospital and want to have that same enjoyment once again, do not hesitate in purchasing a copy of Two Point Hospital. With the gameplay keeping you hooked, though a little frustrating at times, in wanting to try things different ways, and there being a grading system to keep you achievement hunters out there occupied, this is a great all round management game.
