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[RTTP] Sanitarium

Recently I was itching to play something retro from my childhood but also something that I barely remember how the story went and I saw Sanitarium on sale for like $4 so I went with that. I was wondering how it would play on a modern hardware, especially on Steam Deck with modern controls but I was pleasantly surprised that it worked out of the box without the need of any community layouts and such. It is an old game, can be a bit clunky to control at times but it didnt deter my enjoyment. I was a kid when I first played this, probably 12 years old when it came out and remember back then we didnt really have forums to rely on tips or walkthroughs so I remembered I struggled with this back then. It does have something to do with age and experience because the game so far actually made perfect sense with a hiccup here and there but only for one puzzle I had to look up the solution. So far im at level 8 of 12 I believe.

The story is an absolute blast to play through, game is a mind fuck and I love it! Im not going to spoil anything here for those that havent played yet but do yourself a favor and get this, if anything when its on sale again or get it as a key code from one of those websites for cheap. The storytelling is so well done. Starting off you have no clue what happened. As the story progresses, you slowly get snippets of what actually happened to you as you go through this madness of levels. Mostly, you play as yourself but you will be in control of your sister Sarah and a cyclops and these levels get reeeeealy weird. The setting is grim and gory, voice acting is top notch for all characters. Even though its an old game, its not one of those point and click games where puzzles dont make sense, usually its easy to figure out what to do next. Im not even sure if there is anything out there like Sanitarium, if you guys got any suggestions, throw them in here. I heard Dark Seed could be something similar and that is one I havent played before. The only thing that does show its a game of its time is the fact that you will have to pixel peep to figure what you can interact with and collect. The items themselves are pretty easy to spot but here and there I didnt even notice right away there was a doorway or a place I could interact with. The inventory is pretty simple, you just click on your character and it opens up the selection and its never more than 3-4 items at your disposal so you dont have to try and guess 10 things at certain spots until one of them is the correct combination. As I said, game mostly makes perfect sense and I guess a little smarter nowadays than when I was 12, helps too :P If anyone hasnt played this, do yourself a favor and get this game if you want a bizzare, heavy story driven P&C.

Games like Bad Mojo, Harvester, Gabriel Knight can be a pain to play but this was really smooth sailing in both logic and gameplay.

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Glad to hear Sanitarium still holds up so well, it's one of those rare gems where the story really sticks with you even decades later. If you're enjoying it, definitely give Dark Seed or Phantasmagoria a try, they scratch a similar "weird and unsettling" itch.
 
Glad to hear Sanitarium still holds up so well, it's one of those rare gems where the story really sticks with you even decades later. If you're enjoying it, definitely give Dark Seed or Phantasmagoria a try, they scratch a similar "weird and unsettling" itch.
I also saw I have no mouth but I must scream but then I checked I played that like 10 years ago, might give that a spin too.
 
Superb game and one of my favourites. It's really dark at times. The pumpkin patch area and the music is forever burned into my mind.
 
An oldie but goodie! My cousin recommended it. Only game she has recommended ever and it was a banger. Great writing iirc. The sections are awesome and super memorable iirc.
 
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What the hell. I love P&C games and I had never heard of this. The setting and crazy horror shit is right up my alley. Thanks Op!
Dude you will love this if so. Even after all these years, I just dont think we have anything like Sanitarium. Sure there is a ton of creepy games out there even in the P&C space but this game just hits different, keeps you hooked till the end. Fran Bow, Corspe Party are good but even though they are modern games, can be frustrating at times.
 
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Superb game and one of my favourites. It's really dark at times. The pumpkin patch area and the music is forever burned into my mind.

Same with me and the pumpkin patch! Man what a great fucking game. Mightve been the last point n click I REALLY loved.
 
Absolutely amazing title. I remember getting it for dirt cheap in 2000. Just blew me away, could not stop playing it. I was so disappointed to finish it--not in the game it kept me hooked right to the end. I was just saddened I'd never get to experience it again for the first time

Anyone who loves P&C adventure games who hasn't spun this gem is doing themselves a great disservice by skipping it!
 
I thoroughly enjoyed this game but when I played it decades ago, I ran into a game-stopping bug about half-way through. Hopefully the bugs are all gone now.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed this game but when I played it decades ago, I ran into a game-stopping bug about half-way through. Hopefully the bugs are all gone now.
I just finished it and honestly havent ran into a single bug. Everything ran smoothly and just when I thought something went wrong, checked a walkthrough and actually I missed something but definately no game breaking bugs. I heard before the game dealt with crashes but there already is a fix for that though I never even used it as the game never crashed in my 11hrs playthrough.
 
Sleep my friend, and you will see
The dream is my reality
They keep me locked up in this cage
Can't they see it's why my brain says rage?
Sanitarium
Leave me be
Sanitarium
Just leave me alone
 
Recently I was itching to play something retro from my childhood but also something that I barely remember how the story went and I saw Sanitarium on sale for like $4 so I went with that. I was wondering how it would play on a modern hardware, especially on Steam Deck with modern controls but I was pleasantly surprised that it worked out of the box without the need of any community layouts and such. It is an old game, can be a bit clunky to control at times but it didnt deter my enjoyment. I was a kid when I first played this, probably 12 years old when it came out and remember back then we didnt really have forums to rely on tips or walkthroughs so I remembered I struggled with this back then. It does have something to do with age and experience because the game so far actually made perfect sense with a hiccup here and there but only for one puzzle I had to look up the solution. So far im at level 8 of 12 I believe.

The story is an absolute blast to play through, game is a mind fuck and I love it! Im not going to spoil anything here for those that havent played yet but do yourself a favor and get this, if anything when its on sale again or get it as a key code from one of those websites for cheap. The storytelling is so well done. Starting off you have no clue what happened. As the story progresses, you slowly get snippets of what actually happened to you as you go through this madness of levels. Mostly, you play as yourself but you will be in control of your sister Sarah and a cyclops and these levels get reeeeealy weird. The setting is grim and gory, voice acting is top notch for all characters. Even though its an old game, its not one of those point and click games where puzzles dont make sense, usually its easy to figure out what to do next. Im not even sure if there is anything out there like Sanitarium, if you guys got any suggestions, throw them in here. I heard Dark Seed could be something similar and that is one I havent played before. The only thing that does show its a game of its time is the fact that you will have to pixel peep to figure what you can interact with and collect. The items themselves are pretty easy to spot but here and there I didnt even notice right away there was a doorway or a place I could interact with. The inventory is pretty simple, you just click on your character and it opens up the selection and its never more than 3-4 items at your disposal so you dont have to try and guess 10 things at certain spots until one of them is the correct combination. As I said, game mostly makes perfect sense and I guess a little smarter nowadays than when I was 12, helps too :P If anyone hasnt played this, do yourself a favor and get this game if you want a bizzare, heavy story driven P&C.

Games like Bad Mojo, Harvester, Gabriel Knight can be a pain to play but this was really smooth sailing in both logic and gameplay.

ERSaLGsZNocQ8K7m.jpg
OL7PUHC9Ku8QoSSW.jpg
tugiAwUjBHtd4BKh.jpg
I agree, I was super happy when they brought it to iPad and iPhone and yes it runs surprisingly well on Steam Deck. I always though the atmosphere (graphics are excellent too) and characters you meet and the mind bending scenarios you are in as your character is trying to piece back who he is from the depths of madness were incredible for the time and still one of the point and click games I remember most fondly. Definitely underrated.

Steam:

iOS / iPadOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/sanitarium/id1008783470
 
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Sleep my friend, and you will see
The dream is my reality
They keep me locked up in this cage
Can't they see it's why my brain says rage?
Sanitarium
Leave me be
Sanitarium
Just leave me alone
I dont think that song is in the game XD

P Panajev2001a
I realized too late I could just attach a mouse to the steam deck and that made the gameplay even easier. But even by just using the thumbsticks, game works just fine.
 
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I dont think that song is in the game XD

P Panajev2001a
I realized too late I could just attach a mouse to the steam deck and that made the gameplay even easier. But even by just using the thumbsticks, game works just fine.
What about the trackpads? You should be able to use them as decent mice too. Game is not an action game so yes it should work decently with the thumb-sticks too.

SteamDeck is crazy versatile yes anyways :).
 
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