Theme Hospital

"A fun yet frustrating side to the medical world"

Theme Hospital has been out for many years now. It was one of the first computer games I ever got. I got it when I first got my PSX but I never really played it that much.

Graphics - 7/10

These graphics are good considering how old the game is. Now they could be seen as rubbish but they still impress after all these years.

Controls - 8/10

These controls are pretty easy to get used to. They are fairly simple (like most games of its time) although in the heat of the moment, things can get a little hectic, causing you to go into different menus.

Gameplay/Storyline - 9/10

The game is all about running a hospital, determined to rake in the money and soundly beat off your local competitors. The reason for this game's success was the fun factor. You had all kinds of illnesses from invisibility to the common cold. But this game offers so much more. You have to build your own hospital, control your financial situation, buy more land, hire staff, control your staff, tend to them, keep up with your competition...I could go on for ages. There is so much to do. You only will get bored if you do complete it or you can't do well.

Easiness for beginners - 3/10

This is where the game fails. This game is very complicated from the start when you have no idea about it and it can take some time for you to actually grasp the fundamentals of it. One pain can be controlling your finances - they are a pain to begin with. You will, on your first several goes, run into debt, with little choice but to either close the game, hire cheaper staff, or sell off some things.

Another problem is *possible spoilers* infestations of rats. Yes, they do appear. A bit too often for reality sake. One problem is getting rid of them - you need a skilled handyman who has other jobs, for example measuring the heating, emptying the bins and more. He will often get easily tired and as soon as he rests, BOOM! more rats. So you could take some time to like it.

In the end, however, the fun mainly oversees the flaws. However I think a 6 is accurate as it DOES contain its flaws, as I have mentioned.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 08/02/04