Sanitarium

[Henke]

I'm glad to see that Sanitarium has been rereleased and reviewed here. This is one of my alltime favourite games. It is one of the absolute best games ever made. If you haven't done so already then buy it and play it.

[Starflux]

You bastard!
I've been searching for Sanitarium for years now, but just because it's been rereleased in the States, doesn't mean I can get my hands on it so easily ^_~ Well, I'm just cross because everyone gets to play it now and it's nowhere to be found here in Holland.

[Henke]

That is to bad. Well at least you seem to know that you're missing something really amazing. :D

[Wajus]

Why you little!!! Stop Tormenting us! :pan:

[Starflux]

I do *have* the game, in its illegal form. I finished it once, so know exactly what I'm missing. I just want to own the legit version, with the music and the movies and the (rumoured) horrible speech :)

[Henke]

The speech is great. If you played it without the movies it must have been hard to follow the storyline. Of course the game is unplayable without the music. 8-)

[Starflux]

Actually, you'd be surprised! The atmosphere was very eerie without music! (I'm not joking here now)
It gave this strange sense of surrealness, and added yet some realism to it all, as if it was all happening. It was actually the illegal version of Sanitarium that made me realise just how powerful the absence of music could be. The irony.

[Henke]

Another proof that this is one of the best games ever made. :7

[Starflux]

Amen to that! Sanitarium was actually the first game I reviewed for a dutch gaming magazine (Power Unlimited), and I gave it a 8.6
I can't wait to play it again. I've been dying to play it (the actual legit version) for over three years now. It's now about justifiable to call it a holy quest for me.

[Tamara]

Fluxiiiiieeeee! Good to see you again :kiss: :D

Your avatar is totally you, btw :)

[Starflux]

How in the name of all that's sacred would you know?! :D You've never seen me in real life (hey, your loss) :devil:
The avatar wasn't drawn by me, however. A friend of mine drew it, and I've had it for quite some time now, on other fora. It isn't totally correct anymore though, because nowadays I'm wearing eyeliner in daily life 8-)

But it's good to see you too again :kiss:

[SamandMax]

Am I the only one that was disappointed by Sanitarium? It was still a good game, but not as good as I was expecting. After the carnival chapter, I found the game to go downhill, and I just did not like it as much. The hive and the aztec levels seemed to belong more in a Myst game. They should've just made the whole game about the kids in the town chapter.

[Garyos]

Sanitarium rules. The plot structure is jsut so totally refreshing, and eerie. The town with the kids and the carnival were my favourite chapters.

[pleto4_ryan]

I have went to my known store of "old-games" and this guy has all his good games on the shelves(not for sale)...well i asked him to copy me the game :)
YEEEEEE...i have it....
illegal :\ , but i am gonna have my eyes open for a legal copy....(damn the day i took the other game instead of this... ;(, from the same store )

[RemiO]

I've never played it, but might have a look at it after reading the AG.com review. Anything with a hint of Davil Lynch in it has gotta be good.

[zarathustrian]

Am I the only one that was disappointed by Sanitarium? Yes, you are. Please leave the forum immediately to live alone in obscurity, thank you.

[Egarthen]

Am I the only one that was disappointed by Sanitarium? It was still a good game, but not as good as I was expecting. After the carnival chapter, I found the game to go downhill, and I just did not like it as much. The hive and the aztec levels seemed to belong more in a Myst game. They should've just made the whole game about the kids in the town chapter.

I actually share your opinion almost exactly. I thought the village chapter was excellent, and incredibly creepy. The hide 'n go seek game was incredibly disturbing. And the circus chapter was also good, due mainly to the mansion portion. It was very sad, and actually had an emotional impact on me. But after that, I felt the game really lost steam. The story became predictable (To me, at least. Maybe I just read too much), and the environments too senseless and bizarre. Overall, I really didn't think Sanitarium was that great. I went into expecting great things, but really found it to be only average.

[Henke]

Am I the only one that was disappointed by Sanitarium? It was still a good game, but not as good as I was expecting. After the carnival chapter, I found the game to go downhill, and I just did not like it as much. The hive and the aztec levels seemed to belong more in a Myst game. They should've just made the whole game about the kids in the town chapter.

Have you really played the entire game? :D

Not only was the chapters very different in style and the atmosphere was incredibly great and creepy with intresting and disturbing characters. You didn't understand anything about why the scenes changed and all the weird stuff that was going on. But something seemed to tie it all together somehow. There was always hints of something bigger around every corner. But in the end it becomes clear exactly what is going on and all the things you've played makes perfect sense and everything is voven together incredibly good in the final chapters. My point is that this whole concept would have fallen apart if the player would have stayed in pretty much the same type of location the entire game.

[SamandMax]

But after that, I felt the game really lost steam. The story became predictable (To me, at least. Maybe I just read too much), and the environments too senseless and bizarre

Exactly what I thought. The story was much too predictable for there to be any mystery to your identity or what's really going on. By the 4th or 5th chapter, I pretty much knew exactly what was happening and where the game would be heading. There were really no more surprises in the story, and I was left playing bizarre levels that 'metaphorically' continued a story that I pretty much already understood. I was hoping for a storyline like a Silent Hill game, which you have to piece together for yourself.

[Henke]

Exactly what I thought. The story was much too predictable for there to be any mystery to your identity or what's really going on. By the 4th or 5th chapter, I pretty much knew exactly what was happening and where the game would be heading. There were really no more surprises in the story, and I was left playing bizarre levels that 'metaphorically' continued a story that I pretty much already understood. I was hoping for a storyline like a Silent Hill game, which you have to piece together for yourself.

You got to be kidding me. *D *D

There is no way to know what is going on in that game after only playing half of it. To think it has a predictable story you have to be a great clairvoyant or something. Even then it's impossible. *D *D

[SamandMax]

You got to be kidding me. *D *D


Nope. I pretty much had it all figured out. There were a few details I missed, but other than that, no real surprises.

[Henke]

How did you know for example that the entire game takes place inside the main characters head, that he was a doctor that had found a cure for a desease by researching about old aztektribes, that his friend was experimenting on mental patiens and betrayed him when he found out he had discovered the cure?


:confused:

[Egarthen]

How did you know for example that the entire game takes place inside the main characters head, that he was a doctor that had found a cure for a desease by researching about old aztektribes, that his friend was experimenting on mental patiens and betrayed him when he found out he had discovered the cure?


:confused:

As soon as I saw the cutscene with his sister as a child, I figured out what was gonna happen. I knew she died of the disease he had heard snippets about on the radio, and so tried to find a cure. This coupled with the mistrust of the doctor who knew Max from before his arrival made the rest pretty clear. I honestly don't see where the great mystery was. And like Samandmax said, the rest of the game only metaphorically continued what I'd already figured out. The second half of the game was more confirmation thatn discovery for me

[Henke]

As soon as I saw the cutscene with his sister as a child, I figured out what was gonna happen. I knew she died of the disease he had heard snippets about on the radio, and so tried to find a cure. This coupled with the mistrust of the doctor who knew Max from before his arrival made the rest pretty clear. I honestly don't see where the great mystery was. And like Samandmax said, the rest of the game only metaphorically continued what I'd already figured out. The second half of the game was more confirmation thatn discovery for me

Sorry but I can't remember that there is any mention of a research for a cure until much later in the game. You could still not know that the game is taking place in the main characters head. The fact that you play through chapters about an aztektribe and the zyklops are hints of that it's all in his head (he was researching about the azteks and he use to read a comic about zyklops when he was a kid). But you can never really know this until the end. Each chapter brings forth new facts to what is really going on. You guys must have magical powers or something. He he he. :P

[Egarthen]

Sorry but I can't remember that there is any mention of a research for a cure until much later in the game. You could still not know that the game is taking place in the main characters head. The fact that you play through chapters about an aztektribe and the zyklops are hints of that it's all in his head (he was researching about the azteks and he use to read a comic about zyklops when he was a kid). But you can never really know this until the end. Each chapter brings forth new facts to what is really going on. You guys must have magical powers or something. He he he. :P

If you listen to the radio in the sanitarium between the village and circus chapters, it talks about HOPE. And then there's another radio in the mansion that mentions it. And I figured out it was all in his head as soon as I met Mother in the village. She was a pretty huge tipoff. If you have an observant eye and a sense for plot prediction (Which I have, since I read a lot), it's pretty painfully obvious what's happening.

This is quite the spoiler heavy debate. But, whether you choose to believe or not, I thought the story was quite predictable. Just my $.02

[SamandMax]

Plus, the parts that are supposed to be 'real', are still bizarre. A giant angel statue transports you? And in the 3rd chapter, a gargoyle statue in the background occasionaly turns his head and stares at the camera. It's pretty obvious that something's not right, and I guessed that none of it was real. Turned out I was right.

[Phil25]

Well, if you can't figure out the plot ahead of time [i.e. me] then it's quite enjoyable. Although I agree that it peaks at the 4th chapter.

[Starflux]

Well, in my case, I remained to be bedazzled by every new chapter. Just to see what crazy new inventive themes they had thought of. Really, there is no denying the immense diversity in Sanitarium! Even IF you figure out the plot prematurely, there is still so much joy and excitement to be gotten out of the game that you can righteously keep playing until the very end :D

[Ariel Type]

The game was a great experience. Great atmosphere, good and very different puzzles and levels, it even reminds me of Goblins 3 - the same difference in levels, which are usually very bizzarde. One of the best horror games, IMHO.

[Henke]

Yeah Sanitarium is truly a great game and it's really cool for us ordinary mortals (who also read a lot) :D to see how things shape up slowly until you get the big picture. :P

[Zanthia]

I didn't 'forsee' plot up untill the end. And I don't think there were any way 2 forsee levels. They were 2 personal. I mean 4 thise guy. I really enjoyed the game.

[Carlius]

Anything with a hint of Davil Lynch in it has gotta be good

I reacted when I read that too, and I agree, if there's influences from Lynch, that's a reason in it self to buy the game.

[remixor]

I couldn't find Sanitarium at any of the five Wal-Marts back home, and now I'm back at school and there aren't any up here! :(

[shadowheartqueen]

I really want this game and I'm trying to get it, but it's really hard to find! :( There are already a lot of spoilers on this thread, but I want to know everything. Tell me all that you know and let the consequences be damned! :P

[Henke]

I really want this game and I'm trying to get it, but it's really hard to find! :( There are already a lot of spoilers on this thread, but I want to know everything. Tell me all that you know and let the consequences be damned! :P


No, you will ruin the entire game if you read the spoilers. This is truly one of the best games ever made. Buy it at any cost. :D

[AFGNCAAP]

Is it a phantom game or something? Nearly everybody seems to have problems with finding/buying/running this great game.

I borrowed an illegal version five years ago or so (I just remember the game was fairly new at the time). By the end of "Innocent abandoned" chapter I had been simply astonished by the haunted and original story. At that point I made a tough decision - knowing the game's plot to be its greatest advantage, I couldn't go any further with that poor copy (particularly because it was deprived of movies). Almost heart-broken, I returned CD to its owner.

Of course I had hunted for the original Sanitarium ever since.

Finally, six months ago, by a sheer coicidence, it turned out that a friend has it. But as it was lent to him by his friend, we decided that he'll burn me a copy. No sooner had I got back home, than I turned on my PC and started playing. Naturally, being able to see and hear every part of the game greatly enhanced the experience - it was definitely worth waiting. A few days later played "The Hive" chapter predicting that Sanitarium will make it to my personal top 10 of all time, when suddenly...

:confused:
:(
:frusty:

Aaaargh... Well, let's look on the bright side: out of the three discs, two DID run.

I strongly believe I'll get a proper copy of "Sanitarium CD 3" soon, but it is undoubtely going to win 'The Game That Took Me The Most Time To Finish" title.

[Henke]

Is it a phantom game or something? Nearly everybody seems to have problems with finding/buying/running this great game.

I borrowed an illegal version five years ago or so (I just remember the game was fairly new at the time). By the end of "Innocent abandoned" chapter I had been simply astonished by the haunted and original story. At that point I made a tough decision - knowing the game's plot to be its greatest advantage, I couldn't go any further with that poor copy (particularly because it was deprived of movies). Almost heart-broken, I returned CD to its owner.

Of course I had hunted for the original Sanitarium ever since.


That's weird. :confused: The game was as easy to find as any game when it was released (at least over here). To get hold of it now is another story.

[BacardiJim]

If you have any friends in the USA, Sanitarium has recently been re-released here and is available at any Wal-Mart/Costco/etc. for under $10. Additionally, this new version is readily playble on WinXP. Perhaps you know someone here who can pick one up for you and mail it over there?

[Hiro Protagonist]

For those of you w/o Walmarts, Costco, etc. near you with Sanitarium in stock, you may want to try your local CompUSA or Best Buy. Both stores are now carrying Sanitarium in their 10$ bargain sections, and the last CompUSA I was at had 5 copies that the guy said had been sitting there for weeks.

[Siftland]

The game was fair. Nothing to write home about. But overall a good game.

I liked the villiage/children chapter and the Grimwall chapter. Good stuff.

What I didn't like:
-The Action sequences, while easy, were unecessary and clunky.
-The humor they tried to interject, such as all the crazy people in the second visit to the assylum, was out of place within the mood of the game. I think there was an Elvis impersonator and some others....it just didn't feel right.
-The Aztec section: It almost ruined the entire game. It was horrible boring crap. One of the worst game segments I've ever played through.

If they had taken those things out and upped the voice acting then they would have had a really great game IMO.

About the plot:


Yes. It was very obvious that the whole thing was just taking place in his head. I mean, haven't you seen Jacob's Ladder?

[jannar85]

Sanitarium was good, creepy and horror-like. Felt like I was watching a horror movie sometimes, which was cool. But I never could complete the game. I was in the Sanitarium again (2nd time), if it wasn't the carnival... Hmmmm....

That was a bummer though..

[Zanthia]

Sanitarium was nice game. Very atmospheric. there were very few action sequences. Puzzles were a little easy though.

[maladroid]

I think Sanitarium was an all-around pretty good game. The story was quite good and well delivered allthough I was hoping for a twist or something in the end that never came.. "The innocent abandoned" and the mansion chapters were indeed brilliant but the Aztec arcade sequence was a real nightmare! The game generally suffered in the controls section but not that much as to be ruined as a whole.

[shadowheartqueen]

I got the game! I beat it not to long ago. I got my copy at WalMart, I never thought it would be there, but it was. :) I can't believe I wasted all my time looking for it in used game stores! :frusty: At least I have it now.

You guys know any Max fangirls? My sis was curious. I have to admit that since I finished the game, I'm a Max fangirl! :D Too bad he's married. :(

[Henke]

I got the game! I beat it not to long ago. I got my copy at WalMart, I never thought it would be there, but it was. I can't believe I wasted all my time looking for it in used game stores! At least I have it now.

You guys know any Max fangirls? My sis was curious. I have to admit that since I finished the game, I'm a Max fangirl! :D Too bad he's married. :(

You should start a fanclub. ;)

[Draco2.5]

I'd put it under my "good but not great" catagory.

[syntheticgerbil]

Hey have you seen a cheap Rayman 2 jewel case hits collection version at Best Buy?

[AFGNCAAP]

I've got it at last!
I've completed it!
And it's brilliant!

[Tanukitsune]

I just got it too.... :D
I found it creepier that any survival horror I've palyed at some points.... (In a good way)
I just created a thread to talk about the plot since it so confusing at some points.... I should have noticed this one.... oh well... :frown:

[Kolzig]

Yes!

Today it arrived from a guy in Sweden, ebay hasn't failed me yet :D

Great looking box, the cover opens and all, that's stylish.

I have to start play it right after I complete Broken Sword 3.

Hopefully that'll happen during these Christmas holidays...

[shadowheartqueen]

It's been awhile since I've been here. :)

The one thing I've got to say is this: why does everyone complain about the voice acting? :confused: When I played through it, the voices were okay to me. The voice acting in this game is nothing compaired the terrible voices of Resident Evil. I really do like RE though.

[Tanukitsune]

It's been awhile since I've been here. :)

The one thing I've got to say is this: why does everyone complain about the voice acting? :confused: When I played through it, the voices were okay to me. The voice acting in this game is nothing compaired the terrible voices of Resident Evil. I really do like RE though.
Bad voice acting? I certaintly did NOT think it was bad... :confused:
RE? The first one's voice acting was horrible! :rolleyes:

[Zomantic]

I've never played it, but might have a look at it after reading the AG.com review. Anything with a hint of Davil Lynch in it has gotta be good.Umm... You could be disappointed. There's certainly more Carpenter (In the Mouth of Madness) than Lynch.

[DustCropper]

Sanitarium is one of my all time favorite games. I love how you learn bits of the story through Max's flashbacks. I haven't gotten my XP compatible version that everyone seems to be getting though, so it's been a while since I've had the chance to play this classic adventure.

[Reflection]

Where can i buy the game online? How is the packaging?

[Tanukitsune]

Where can i buy the game online? How is the packaging?
Your only chance to get this game is on Ebay I'm afraid, it's not exactly new...
And it came in box if that is what you wanted to know...

[Stoofa]

How scary is Sanitarium? I'm a big chicken, I can't even be in the room when my friend is playing Doom (the gurgling monster noises give me the creeps).

[Reflection]

Your only chance to get this game is on Ebay I'm afraid, it's not exactly new...
And it came in box if that is what you wanted to know...

I have the original big box version, but that isn't working at all on XP. I've seen a jewel case version, i think that's the re-release on eBay.

How scary is Sanitarium? I'm a big chicken, I can't even be in the room when my friend is playing Doom (the gurgling monster noises give me the creeps).

The game gave me nightmares..I couldn't sleep for days.

[AFGNCAAP]

How scary is Sanitarium? I'm a big chicken, I can't even be in the room when my friend is playing Doom (the gurgling monster noises give me the creeps).
I... don't really know how to answer. For the most part I found it rather creepy than scary. That's not to say that there are no people, like yours truly, who actually are more sensitive to creepiness than to in-your-face gore. On the other hand, make no mistake - 'tis a horror story, with enough dead or mutated bodies and wierd whispers to make it a bad idea to play home alone after dusk.

On the third hand, it's a classic and I can't say enough good things about it. The story is ingenuous, and neither while playing nor in retrospect the disturbing elements seemed as added for a pure shock value (Phantasmagoria, anyone?).

[Jeysie]

Hmm. I found that the three (thankfully short) action sequences got my pulse pumping quite a bit. As for the rest of the game, I suppose it depends on what you consider "too scary".

I found it creepy, disturbing, and occasionally gross, but the action sequences were the only things that made me want to dive under my desk. (And I probably wouldn't have felt that desire half as much if they hadn't been action sequences... :P )

It's the psychological sort of scary, rather than the "OMG, giant nasty creature trying to kill me at 10 o' clock!" sort of scary.

It's also one of my favorite adventures... one of those rare games where the story gives up new insights every time you re-play it. Oh, and I dig red-haired guys. ;) (I wouldn't call myself a Max fangirl, however...)

I'm afraid I can't offer anything on the XP issue; I am well and determined to avoid XP like the plague. :P

Peace & Luv, Liz

[Hiro Protagonist]

Hmm. I found that the three (thankfully short) action sequences got my pulse pumping quite a bit. As for the rest of the game, I suppose it depends on what you consider "too scary".

I found it creepy, disturbing, and occasionally gross, but the action sequences were the only things that made me want to dive under my desk. (And I probably wouldn't have felt that desire half as much if they hadn't been action sequences... :P )

It's the psychological sort of scary, rather than the "OMG, giant nasty creature trying to kill me at 10 o' clock!" sort of scary.

It's also one of my favorite adventures... one of those rare games where the story gives up new insights every time you re-play it. Oh, and I dig red-haired guys. ;) (I wouldn't call myself a Max fangirl, however...)

I'm afraid I can't offer anything on the XP issue; I am well and determined to avoid XP like the plague. :P

Peace & Luv, Liz

wow...here's a thread dragged back from the dead... :P

i actually still see the re-released jewel case version show up in wal-mart from time to time in the bargain section, so you may want to check there before spending money on ebay.

in fact, if anyone wants a copy, pm me and if i find some at wal-mart i can buy them up and you can paypal me the money and i'll send it off to you. this is definately a game that everyone should play, and as i said in my review, i really regret not playing it when it first came out...

[Reflection]

wow...here's a thread dragged back from the dead... :P

i actually still see the re-released jewel case version show up in wal-mart from time to time in the bargain section, so you may want to check there before spending money on ebay.

in fact, if anyone wants a copy, pm me and if i find some at wal-mart i can buy them up and you can paypal me the money and i'll send it off to you. this is definately a game that everyone should play, and as i said in my review, i really regret not playing it when it first came out...

i found a copy on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SANITARIUM-rare-horror-adventure-NEW-SEALED_W0QQitemZ8212359814QQcategoryZ11047QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is that the re-release?

[Stoofa]

I... don't really know how to answer. For the most part I found it rather creepy than scary. That's not to say that there are no people, like yours truly, who actually are more sensitive to creepiness than to in-your-face gore. On the other hand, make no mistake - 'tis a horror story, with enough dead or mutated bodies and wierd whispers to make it a bad idea to play home alone after dusk.


It's the psychological sort of scary, rather than the "OMG, giant nasty creature trying to kill me at 10 o' clock!" sort of scary.


Oh great, now I have to play the game, but I'll have to hold off until I'm living with someone again. Creepiness equally fascinates and frightens me. Disembodied voices, weird symbols, eerie silences. Brr. Then I can't sleep for a week because my imagination goes crazy.

[Antoinetta]

I got my XP friendly edition of Sanitarium in a jewel-case for ten bucks at Comp-USA. It might be quicker to check out any nearby computer stores as they're likely to have a copy.

Antoinetta

[Hiro Protagonist]

i found a copy on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SANITARIUM-rare-horror-adventure-NEW-SEALED_W0QQitemZ8212359814QQcategoryZ11047QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is that the re-release?

yep, that's the re-release by XS games.

[Hammerite]

What kind of puzzles are in this? Are they conversation and inventory sort of thing or more like Myst machine puzzles?

[Accolon]

What kind of puzzles are in this? Are they conversation and inventory sort of thing or more like Myst machine puzzles?

Conversation/inventory-based mostly. There are a few action sequences as well, but they're not very difficult.

[Hammerite]

It's as good as mine then...
TO PLAY.COM HAMMERITE!

[natalia]

I got my game on cdaccess.com. I played it on XP but in windows 98 compatibility mode, or something like that. It still crashed pretty often on me, but I loved it!