Two Point Hospital

Two Point Hospital is a business simulation game developed by Two Point Studios and published by SEGA. Released on 30 August 2018, the game is a spiritual successor to the 1997 game Theme Hospital by Bullfrog Productions. Set in the fictional Two Point County, players take on the role of a hospital manager tasked with constructing and managing hospitals. The game's objective is to cure patients of comical ailments, expand the hospital network across the county, and improve hospital facilities while managing finances and staff.

Gameplay

In Two Point Hospital, players assume the role of a hospital manager. The game involves designing and operating a hospital. Players must build various diagnostic and treatment rooms, hire and manage doctors, nurses, janitors, and receptionists, and deal with numerous diseases, some of which are humorous parodies of real-life illnesses. The game emphasizes not just the management of the hospital's facilities and staff but also the treatment of patients with bizarre, fictitious diseases like "Light-headedness" (where the patient's head becomes a light bulb) and "Cubism".

Players must balance the hospital's budget, patient happiness, and staff satisfaction while striving to cure patients and combat outbreaks. Research can be conducted to unlock new treatments and upgrades. The game features a progression system where players can expand to new areas in Two Point County, each with unique challenges.

Development

Two Point Hospital was developed by Two Point Studios, a company founded by former Bullfrog and Lionhead Studios employees, including Gary Carr, Mark Webley, and Ben Hymers. The developers aimed to capture the essence of Theme Hospital while updating the gameplay and graphics for a modern audience. The game was built using the Unity engine, allowing for more detailed environments and character models compared to its predecessor.

Reception

Upon release, Two Point Hospital received positive reviews from critics and players alike. It was praised for its humor, depth of gameplay, and the modern twist on the hospital management simulation genre. The game's art style, reminiscent of Theme Hospital, was also well-received. However, some critics pointed out a repetitive gameplay loop and difficulty spikes as drawbacks.

Expansions and Updates

Two Point Hospital has been supported post-launch with several expansions and free updates. These expansions, such as "Bigfoot", "Pebberley Island", and "Off the Grid", introduce new hospitals, diseases, and gameplay mechanics, expanding the original game's content. Updates have added features like a sandbox mode, allowing players more creative freedom in building their hospitals.

Legacy

Two Point Hospital revitalized interest in the hospital management simulation genre and led to the announcement of Two Point Campus, a university management game by the same developers. The success of Two Point Hospital demonstrates the enduring appeal of simulation games that blend strategic management with humor and creativity.

See Also

• Theme Hospital
• Business simulation game
• Two Point Studios
• SEGA