Two Point Hospital

A cure for what ails you.

Make no bones about it, this is Theme Hospital 2.0. It pays such close homage to its inspiration that we should by all rights be criticising it. From the grid-based room construction to the quirky machines to cure equally quirky ailments, Two Point Hospital does nothing that Theme Hospital didn’t already.

The core elements remain the same, starting out with a reception desk and assistant alongside a GP’s office before adding to and expanding the hospital with various contraptions, treatments and the janitors to maintain them all.

The meta has been brought to the forefront, with close attention needed for items that bolster some function or value by a matter of slight percentages. The staff system is a great example of this, where rather than being restricted to just hiring a GP, psychiatrist or surgeon for specialist work, now doctors can learn traits that – alongside their own innate characteristics – help them work better within particular areas.

The biggest success of Two Point Hospital is that it still remains compelling and fulfilling to play. Part of this is in the design of the levels: a smooth gradient that eases players into its mechanics and systems and always gives something new to learn or a challenge to overcome. The addition of a three-tier star system and in-level objectives will have those that get involved with the business sim side of things a little more to chew on, too.

It’s clear that being passive about the decision-making process simply won’t be enough; even a few stages in you’ll quickly find patients dropping like lightbulbheaded flies and the cash reserves repeatedly plummeting into the red. It’s not that Two Point Hospital is unfairly difficult, but it takes some failure to properly grasp what works. As you play you’ll begin to discover where you’re going wrong, and the next attempt will run so much more effectively.

This game has proven not only that business management games can be in demand again, but also why these games were popular to begin with. We’re already holding out hope for Two Point Funpark, Two Point Zoo or even Two Point God.

Verdict

A modern take on a beloved title.

Hospitals can end up being quite sprawling, and poor planning can lead to frustrated patients, emergencies and even death.

Building a room feels much like Theme Hospital, but with a greater variety of items to place.