Video games come in all shapes and sizes, but every now and then, a title emerges that defies conventional gaming logic. Surgeon Simulator is one such weird game. If I put it in even simpler words, it’s an obscure gem. And it has managed to attract the attention of a niche audience with its unique blend of humor, challenge, and absurdity.
Key Takeaways
- Surgeon Simulator is an unconventional game with quirky humor and dark dialogues that isn’t appreciated by everyone.
- Its intentionally difficult controls create a love-hate relationship with players, forcefully failing them in finishing their surgeries.
- Surgeon Simulator is unlike other games where the ultimate goal is to successfully complete the missions, and it celebrates failures more than wins.
- Similarly, allowing players to replay the surgeries with different approaches allows players to enjoy the game’s replayability equally.
- The introduction of a VR version and consistent updates showcase the dedication of Bossa Studios to always providing fans with something to enjoy.
To think that Bossa Studios developed it as a 48-hour project during the Global Game Jam in 2013 makes the whole thing funnier—to me, at least. What started as a simple prototype quickly gained popularity, leading to a full release. It is absurd, but again, that’s the whole point of this game.
Let me tell you why it is worth your time and why it’s oddly fun despite its peculiarities.
Quirky Humor
Unlike traditional simulation games, which work hard to create a sense of realism, Surgeon Simulator embraces its absurdity. The game’s focus is on creating a fun experience instead of displaying real surgical procedures.
That’s why the dark humor in the Surgeon Simulator is one of its highlight features. The game doesn’t take itself too seriously. You will know I’m right when you find yourself in absurd scenarios—like performing heart transplants on alien creatures or operating on patients in a moving ambulance.
Well, this bizarre humor sets it apart from more serious simulation games. I think this is also a reason why it became so successful. So successful that it sold 2 million copies within 2 years of its release.
Hilarious Controls: A Feature, Not A Bug
Anyone who’s played the game knows the controls are complicated. They have a love-hate relationship with players. However, what many players believe online, the developers intentionally made the controls awkward to add another layer of fun. After all, this difficulty is what makes the game so entertaining.
Each finger of the player’s hand is used to control a specific thing, which results in a series of mishaps and unintentional results. Imagine trying to pick up a scalpel only to accidentally throw it across the room or knock over a tray of surgical tools. Sometimes, your actions will result in lots of blood loss, which will frustrate you. The outcomes come out in a way that will certainly make you chuckle.
The Joy Of Failure
Unlike other games where failure means you are doing something wrong, Surgeon Simulator actually celebrates it. In fact, the game’s designed in a way that players will frequently fail surgeries in weird ways, whether by dropping a lung on the floor or accidentally cutting the wrong artery. It is a game where success often feels accidental.
Similarly, you will be met with comedic sound effects and tongue-in-cheek commentary whenever you fail. The idea is to laugh at their mistakes rather than become frustrated and enjoy the absurdity.
Endless Chaos With Replayability
I just love it when games offer replayability with different outcomes for the same missions. It keeps the story alive, and players engaged. That’s one reason I find Surgeon Simulator to be weirdly fun.
The game’s designed in a way that no two surgeries can be the same. You can replay each procedure multiple times and get different results depending on your approach. Not only that, but you can also find various easter eggs and hidden secrets, such as performing surgeries on alien patients or unlocking new tools, etc.
Updates, VR, And A Sequel
Finally, Bossa Studios has done a fantastic job of keeping the game alive with updates and new content. Regular updates add new scenarios, surgeries, etc., to keep players entertained. I think it is a good effort, as consistently updating the game makes sure that even seasoned players have something new to look forward to.
They released the VR version back in 2016 to give players an even better experience. The VR version makes the game even funnier by letting players physically interact with the surgical tools and environment. I haven’t played the VR version myself, but after seeing a few clips on my feed, I see that it doesn’t look half bad.
The studio didn’t stop here. They even released Surgeon Simulator 2: Access All Areas, a sequel to the first game, in 2020. Although the game has received mixed reviews, I wouldn’t talk about it here with zero experience of playing it.
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I have been into gaming since my childhood and have been writing about it for three years now. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies side-by-side, I spend lots of time reading books, learning new skills, playing chess, working out, and engaging in Reddit threads related to gaming.
