Sanitarium

I am not by any means a point and click nut, but GOGs 5 star reviews have pointed me towards this one. The game is a very simple point and click, you dont have all the options that you would in a Lucasarts game(I like this).The game can be creepy and graphic at times but its nothing overbearing. Its an easy game with easy puzzles, easy to find items and a pretty average story. Took me 5-6 hours to complete and I cant ever see a reason to complete it again. I dont get the 5 star ratings.

I really enjoyed the twisted story and it's original presentation. But there were some downsides to much for a 5/5-rating: - The controls. You move your character by letting him follow your cursor. Would be okay if he wasn't so terrible slow and got stuck at every edge. - The voices. Some of them are nice, but some of them are a little too cartoonish. Aditionally, the protagonist's voice seemed a bit inappropriate to me... - The puzzles. A bit to many end up in pixel-hunting, which is even more annoying when combined with the contols-issue. Apart from that I really recommend this game. Maybe you should keep a walkthrough at hand for some situations. The game is not about its puzzles, it's about its plot. It would be a pitty to miss the whole experience the game offers just because of some weaknesses in the gameplay.

When released, I probably would have enjoyed this game. Yet today, it isn't enjoyable. It is bogged down by substandard controls and glitches. It is aggravating to run up and down stairs over and over because you accidentally get too close. The other bad thing about the game is the pixel hunting. There are a few puzzles... well not really even puzzles, that make you wander around and around looking for a stupid rock and a rope. A three pixel wide rope on the corner of the screen that is a shade or two of grey different than the background. Brilliant design. However, the best thing about the game is the story. I can almost forgive the game because the story is so intriguing. I didn't find the game creepy, or horrifying, but interesting. The second best thing is the voices. Yes, the entire game is fully voiced! The main character is the same guy who did the blackwell ghost. There are a few annoying crazies, but nothing that doesn't match the atmosphere. Get it on sale.

Like adventure games? Like horror games? Get this. It really goes without saying, this game is amazing.

I've never written a review so far on GOG, but since I saw Sanitarium was posted I had to write that this is the most overdue addition to their catalog so far - I bought this game when it came out and enjoyed the atmosphere and story from the very beginning. I paid for it and downloaded it to play it once more and can't wait to get in it again!