Sanitarium (1998) PC Playthrough - NintendoComplete
3,488A beginning to end playthrough of ASC Games' 1998 graphic adventure Sanitarium.
This game is still nearly as good as it was when it came out 16 years ago. The story (especially for the time) was well told, presented through a mish-mash of seemingly disparate elements slowly tied together to reveal the overarching metadiagetic narrative that drives the core of the plot.
It's freaky, odd, and sometimes off-putting in the imagery that it uses, but it's amazing how effectively it conveys its particular brand of psychological horror. Just as, if not more, compelling than other genre contemporaries (most notably Phantasmagoria and Harvester), the game will freak you out and make you cringe from the most sympathetic places you can imagine.
The graphics also hold up shockingly well. Even though it only runs at 640x480 in 256 colors (hence the dithering if you scrutinize the images too closely), the characters are all pre-rendered CG sprites being superimposed over impressively detailed (and at times incredibly believable) CG backdrops, and obvious seams thanks to the resolution aside, everything meshes far better than you'd expect from a game of Sanitarium's vintage. The sound design deserves a huge mention: though the acting can grate at times, it is generally serviceable, and the music is incredibly effective. It capably strikes the right emotional chords at key moments while remaining subtle enough to not steal attention from any other element. It is both understated and brilliant.
The controls, truth be told, are a pain in the ass. Max isn't directed by clicking on a desired destination, but rather, you have to hold the right mouse button as you move the mouse in order to guide him. Even though it isn't a huge nuisance after getting used to it, there are a few spots where getting stuck on the scenery can be annoying. It works out fine, but I would've loved an option for a traditional point-and-click control scheme.
Overall, Sanitarium is an excellent game that succeeds because of its extremely well orchestrated story (complete with satisfyingly conclusion) and its reliance on setting. If you haven't played this, and if you enjoy horror and/or PC adventures, what are you waiting for? Go to GoG.com and buy it immediately!
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