Oh, hello! I didn’t see you there…
For years gamers have been waiting for the sequel to the incredibly popular economic simulator, Theme Hospital, and finally it seems after many hours spent in the waiting room it is coming, in spirit at least. On the 15th of January Sega teased on their Twitter that something new and exciting was on its way and as always fans were keen to start speculating. Thankfully the wait wasn’t too long and they quickly announced that Two Point Hospital, the spiritual successor in many ways to Theme Hospital, was bound for Windows PC via Steam later this year..
Two Point Hospital is the debut project of Two Point Studios which is made up of ex-Lionhead and Bullfrog veterans Mark Webley and Gary Carr to name but a few. Pulling heavily from the 1997 original Theme Hospital, it’s clear we are going to be in for the same level of fun and entertainment here simply from watching the announcement trailer. Whilst you may walk into Two Point Hospital suffering from a serious case of déjà vu, Two Point Studios are keen to make sure Two Point Hospital speaks for itself.
Two Point co-founder Mark Webley said “We don’t like to think of it as a spiritual succession to Theme Hospital as such, we like to think of it as a thing in its own right—something new and different. Thematically, of course, there are similarities, but we’re making a completely new game. This isn’t a reskinning of something we’ve already done.”
Co-founder Gary Carr agreed adding: “The values are the same, the humour is important. Theme Hospital had its own quirky off-centre, offbeat take on the sim genre. It didn’t take itself too seriously, but under the hood there was actually quite a deep sim.”
Design Your Hospital
Build and customise your hospital – it is yours after all – with specialist diagnosis and treatment facilities, as well as the very latest in ornamental technology!
Cure Your Patients
Feeling light-headed? Just wait until you see the other unusual illnesses afflicting the people of Two Point County. Care for, and profit from, the ill – that seems like it’s probably a win-win. They’ll need feeding, entertaining and curing if they’re going to recommend you to all their equally unwell friends! That cash isn’t going to make itself now.
Manage Your Staff
Hire your staff, juggle their demands and cater to their personalities. Train a crack team that can handle every sickly challenge that’s thrown at it, and fire anyone that can’t.
Expand Your Organisation
Grow the sickness business across the beautiful Two Point County. Research illnesses and develop new inventions to compete with rival healthcare companies.
Collaborate and Compete with Friends
Once you’ve conquered the world with your medical empire, contribute to Two Point County’s global medical community with collaborative research projects, or demonstrate your medical prowess in competitive multiplayer challenges.
Two Point Hospital doesn’t have a firm release date as of yet but you can sign up to follow and express your interest now on Steam. I for one will be eagerly awaiting the release of this title, especially after Two Point co-founder Mark Webley stated: “We’ve been thinking of coming back to these Bullfrog-esque games for a while, when we did Theme Hospital we had ideas for Theme Prison, Theme Resort.” Could this all just be the start of a beautiful new themed beginning for Two Point Studios? Let’s hope so!
About the Author
Rachel Humphreys
Rachel (Trance) is a long time gamer full time nerd without a plan... When she's not playing on some manner of console or handheld device she can be found enjoying popculture life to its fullest.
