Games I Love: Theme Hospital

I'm sure you're thinking, "what game is that?"  Yeah, it's most likely a game that you've never heard of. "Theme Hospital" was released in 1997 by Bullfrog games.  Like the other "Theme" games it is a management game.  You play the role of a hospital administrator who is tasked with running a hospital.    All the decisions are left in your hands.  Want to jack up the prices for treatment to maximize your profits?  Go ahead.  Want to make your doctors work until they pass out?  Totally acceptable.  Vomit wave in the hospital?  Hire more custodians.  Yes, I said vomit wave.

The dreaded vomit wave.

The diseases that you treat in this game are completely ridiculous, but also hilarious (read the descriptions if you haven't).  A see-through patient walks through the door and you realize they have a bad case of transparency from licking yogurt lids.  Glowing patients have clearly been radiated and need to be decontaminated.  There is also an awesome receptionists voice (completely British and very chirpy) that constantly reminds you of what is happening in your hospital.

It's not all goofiness and you have to balance many demands--hiring specialists who are psychiatrists or surgeons, keeping your employees happy with bonuses and pay raises, researching new diseases, and reacting to emergencies (10 cases of bloaty head coming.  Prep the inflator, stat!).  The game also gets progressively harder requiring you to make more money or keep your patients happy.

I have always enjoyed this old classic and am totally absorbed the minute I start playing.  You can pick up "Theme Hospital" on GOG for $5.99.