Wednesday, 12 August 2015

Gaming 1997: "Theme Hospital" (Dell Pentium)

Sim-type games were all the rage at one time – if there was an industry, business model or commercial enterprise, there was a sim game for it, whether it be funfairs, airlines, zoos or pizza factories.

And - despite the fact that of all PC games, they tend to feel most like 'work' - I must have played the vast majority. But the one I tried first was Bullfrog's 'Theme Hospital':



Long before 'The Sims' really hit the scene, this quirky little game, with its bright graphics and childish sense of humour really was the ultimate timewaster. I could spend hours in front of the PC (my brand-new Pentium, no less!), managing my little hospital, trying to avoid epidemics and survive earthquakes.

And best of all, it's now free! Give it a try. You might be surprised.
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5 comments:

  1. Laban Tall12 August 2015 at 13:52

    Theme Hospital ('bloaty head' - a very nasty ailment) reminds me a little of the hospital in Idiocracy.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpFUrjq8nWE

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXzJR7K0wK0

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  2. PJH12 August 2015 at 14:29

    That article is 7 months old Julia, and following the link (to EA Games/Origin) there shows they're charging £4.95 now, even when logged in.

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  3. Tim Almond12 August 2015 at 15:34

    If it's not still free, it's worth getting on GOG.com's email list to get cheap prices.

    I never fancied Theme Hospital, but really liked Theme Park. It's an interesting lesson in business - all the stuff that makes money, but also, all the stuff you have to do to make money (like providing toilets and rest areas)

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  4. Mark In Mayenne12 August 2015 at 16:07

    Knew a girl whose fax was a doctor, came home from work and played Theme Hospital every evening. Scary

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  5. JuliaM16 August 2015 at 06:03

    "Theme Hospital ('bloaty head' - a very nasty ailment) reminds me a little of the hospital in Idiocracy."

    Heh! True!

    And long time no see, Laban! Hope you are well,

    "That article is 7 months old Julia, and following the link (to EA Games/Origin) there shows they're charging £4.95 now, even when logged in."

    Yeah, sadly, I selected my year's posts in January. But it might be a free option once again, I've noticed Steam sometimes repeats offers.

    And as The Stigler points out, even at a nominal fee, it's still worth it.

    "...came home from work and played Theme Hospital every evening. Scary"

    LOL!

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