War Hospital game review: A gripping WWI medical strategy
"War Hospital", a recent game by Brave Lamb Studio, invites players into the grim realities of World War I, not through the lens of a soldier, but that of a field hospital manager. This unique premise sets the stage for a challenging strategy game that intertwines ethical decisions and resource management against the harrowing backdrop of war.
The heart of the game: Managing life and death
At its core, "War Hospital" is about balancing empathy and efficiency. Players must triage patients, decide who gets treated and who doesn’t, and manage the hospital's resources and staff. The game imposes a heavy burden on the player, often forcing them to make difficult decisions that test their moral compass. As patients arrive with varying injuries, time becomes a crucial factor, adding intensity to these life-or-death choices. The game adeptly conveys the stressful environment of a WWI field hospital, where the line between saving a life and losing one is perilously thin.
Gameplay mechanics: A mixture of strategy and emotion
"War Hospital" melds strategic decision-making with an emotional narrative. Players are responsible for managing the hospital’s resources, from medical supplies to food, and ensuring the wellbeing of both staff and patients. This includes deciding the fate of healed soldiers - whether to send them back to the front, discharge them, or use them for other purposes. These decisions not only impact the game's resources but also its morale system, adding another layer of complexity to the player's role.
Visuals and audio: Setting the somber tone
The game's visuals and audio play a significant role in immersing the player in the WWI setting. The maps are intricately designed, depicting tumbledown houses, roads, and railways, creating a realistic wartime environment. Moreover, the game’s audio, including the unsettling screams from the operating wards, adds to the grim atmosphere, enhancing the player’s emotional involvement.
Challenges and limitations
Despite its intriguing premise and deep gameplay, "War Hospital" faces some challenges. One significant issue is its rigid building system, which limits the player’s ability to customize the hospital layout. This limitation can lead to gameplay becoming repetitive and, at times, tedious. Moreover, for console players, the game struggles with control optimization, making navigation and decision-making more difficult and less intuitive than on PC.
A thought-provoking, yet flawed experience
"War Hospital" offers a unique and thought-provoking experience, delving into aspects of war rarely explored in video games. Its combination of strategy, resource management, and moral decision-making provides a challenging and engaging gameplay experience. However, its rigid structure and control issues, particularly on consoles, can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these flaws, "War Hospital" remains a noteworthy game for those interested in a different perspective on the Great War.