REVIEW – This game is dumb, literally. It’s just the fact that it cannot be taken seriously whatsoever that I can’t describe it. Maybe that’s the reason why Surgeon Simulator: Anniversary Edition is a pleasant addition to the gaming library: if you can get the hang of the unusual – or even weird controls – that certain heart surgery can contain lots of fun. It just depends on the skills and the patience of the player.

„Before we put on our mask, let’s clean up, please!” Or just start by getting used to the interface. It’s not fully obvious what does what in the main menu, which ended up as a receptionist’s desk in Bossa Games’ product. It’s a pretty creative solution in my opinion.

I was serious about spending time here. You can’t just go and grab the item required for the surgery by holding analog stick and the X button. Nope, in fact, your fingers can be controlled by separate buttons, and since a surgery requires precision (it’s not the same if you cut the aorta instead of fixing the lungs!), prepare for chaos.

This chaos will be rearing its head in the menu already. For example, try to grab that floppy disk in the computer on the left. The one which has the screen showing the control scheme. It’s a pretty small item, worthy of practicing picking that up. You’ll need to get (some) understanding of the controls, otherwise the gameplay – which is actually fun – can get really frustrating… but it depends on the player.

There are others items too on that desk: a VHS tape here, a phone there, but you can even pick a pen up. It’s like a simulator within a simulator. Not a perpeetum mobile, but I believe it’s a good addition anyway.

Dr. Parody

As the player gets into the game in medias res, it can be expected as much to get the „pick that goddamn hammer up already” situation going, while – if others are watching us trying to get the item and the surgery happening – laughing a lot is pretty much guaranteed.

Why is that? Well, let’s start by the fact that you’ll be taking control of a single puny arm. Not two, not a brigade of surgeons, just a single hand and its fingers, Of course on top of it, our watch can get a huge role in the game – it actually shows the proper time, which is a nice touch. And speaking of this watch, it managed to fall into (yes, INTO) the patient nicely – and with this, I think I already gave a brief taste of the game’s humor.

It does have a nice feeling to see that hammer dropping onto the colon, which in turn makes our patient losing more and more blood. And if he dies… Well, tough luck. Developers makes it clear that the game is not meant to be taken seriously. By understanding this we might end up having some good time by – at least trying – to get that surgery done.

Ready for operation

Prepare for three organs… mentally, because in practice, it’s unlikely to get it done in the beginning. These organs are the heart, the kidneys and the brain. Our goal is not to cause much damage, trying to get rid of other organs (or ribs, depending on what your task is) without making the patient lose too much blood. It’s easier to say than get it done.

This is the game’s flaw actually: that’s all the game have to offer to you, but it’s true the game will pump up the difficulty by making you do the surgery while being in an ambulance. And if you manage to complete the surgery, you will be rated by the game for your effort. (it’s worth seeing this…)

Over the achievements

There’s as many as 72 achievements in this game. Prepare for receiving one for the most hilarious things – I wouldn’t spoil them for you, maybe except one: try to be James Bond. 🙂 I’m not going into the easter eggs either.

Graphically, the game is not that big of a deal, but in this case, it wasn’t meant to look superior compared to other games. The music is nice, same as the audio. I do recommend the game because of the humor and the addictive gameplay. It’s kind of a bizarre party game – it takes realism inside out, while not working at all, yet forming a playable piece in the end. Do I see some Team Fortress 2 in there…? 🙂 Behind the weird physics and controls, there’s fun to be had.

-V-

Editor: Bossa Studios

Developer: Bossa Studios

Genres: simulator, fun,

Publication: August, 2014