Fear in Hospital is a short, first-person survival horror game set in an abandoned mental hospital. Developed and published by IO Games, it promises a terrifying experience filled with occult mysteries, psychological horror, and a nerve-wracking atmosphere. But does it deliver a genuinely scary adventure, or does it fall into the pitfalls of cheap scares and clunky gameplay?
Developer: IO Games
Publisher: IO Games
Release Date: July 3, 2019
Platform: PC (Steam)
Review Score at Time of Writing: 47% Mixed (467 reviews)
Genre: Psychological Horror, Horror, Indie Horror, Survival Horror
Gameplay & Atmosphere
The premise is simple: you wake up in a creepy, blood-stained hospital and must find a way to escape while uncovering dark secrets. The game relies heavily on exploration, item collection, and avoiding whatever lurks in the shadows.
The Good:
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Decent Atmosphere: The abandoned hospital setting is appropriately eerie, with dim lighting, unsettling sounds, and grotesque bloodstains adding to the tension.
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Short & Focused: The game doesn’t overstay its welcome, offering a quick horror experience.
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Occult Themes: The occult elements add an interesting layer to the story, though the narrative itself is thin.
The Bad:
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Predictable Scares: Most horror elements rely on cheap jump scares rather than psychological tension.
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Repetitive Design: The hospital corridors look the same, making navigation frustrating.
Verdict: A Flawed but Occasionally Effective Horror Experience
Fear in Hospital has moments where it succeeds in creating a creepy vibe, but its flaws hold it back from being a truly memorable horror game. The mixed Steam reviews reflect its inconsistent quality—while some players appreciate its short, intense bursts of horror, others find it too unpolished and repetitive.
Pros:
✔ Eerie atmosphere
✔ Short and digestible
✔ Some effective scares
✔ The game has a guaranteed perfect game one achievement
Cons:
❌ Clunky controls
❌ Overuse of jump scares
❌ Lack of depth in story and gameplay
Game score: 4/10
Horror score: 4.5/10
Who Should Play It?
If you’re a horror fan looking for a quick, low-budget scare and don’t mind rough edges, Fear in Hospital might be worth a try. However, if you prefer more refined horror experiences like you’ll likely find this one lacking. Additionally it’s free so yes, worth a try.
Available free on Steam.
Review made by Go_Boom44. If you want your game or indie game review to feature on South Africa Today then email: gobooom44 (at) gmail.com
