10 Most Iconic Video Game Hospitals

In many video games, particularly horror genres, you’ll frequently encounter hospital settings. The exact reason behind its popularity remains unclear, but there are several virtual hospitals that have earned a reputation among gamers.

A structure designed to symbolize refuge for illness and wounds might serve a completely different function within video games. Typically in games, hospitals are places of healing, but in certain ones, they become locations best avoided if one wishes to survive.

Regardless of the situation, it’s clear that hospitals will continue to exist for the foreseeable future, given the increasing popularity of various games in recent times.

Without a doubt, the hospitals depicted in video games are particularly chilling when set within horror genres.

10. Wildberger Hospital

Tormented Souls

tormented souls survival horror game saw trap

Enthusiasts of old-school horror games are likely to experience a flood of nostalgia when they discover Tormented Souls, as it pays tribute to their beloved horror games from the PS1 era. Featuring improved graphics, detailed puzzles, and traditional fixed camera angles, this game is essentially a heartfelt note to classic PS1 horror titles.

Absolutely, the game also features a well-known backdrop: the Wildberger Mansion-turned-Hospital. Remarkably, it began life as a grand mansion and was later transformed into the chilling structure where we find ourselves trapped right at the start of the game. Indeed, it seems that a conventional mansion no longer sufficed.

Throughout the game, you find yourself desperately attempting to flee for survival, all the more so when you discover that one of your eyes has been surgically taken. This undoubtedly serves as a powerful incentive to escape from that place.

Moving through the hospital can be tough, as lingering too long in the dimly lit areas could prove fatal. This necessitates a decision for players: whether to carry a light source or a weapon at all times, thereby intensifying the suspenseful atmosphere of the hospital setting.

Fans of classic horror stories would enjoy the combination of a mansion and a hospital, as this unique mix offers a double-edged fear factor that leaves an indelible impression on them.

9. Riverside Institute

Call of Cthulu

H.P. Lovecraft, no matter your personal opinion of him, significantly transformed the horror genre by introducing terrifying and inexplicable fears. This style is commonly referred to as “Cosmic Horror.” When discussing this subgenre, the story “Call of Cthulhu” is often mentioned prominently.

In this Xbox RPG horror game titled “Call of Cthulhu,” you assume the role of private investigator Edward Pierce, who delves into the enigma surrounding the Hawkins family. Rumor has it that they met an untimely end in a house fire; however, events take a turn when Charles Hawkins, the family patriarch, captures you and transports you to the Riverside Institute, where much of your investigation unfolds.

While it can be challenging for games to effectively capture Lovecraftian horror, the Riverside Institute stands out as something unique – a madhouse where Sarah Hawkins found herself imprisoned. Charles, who had gone mad and believed his daughter to be an Oracle, kept her captive there.

The entire level is quite unsettling, and as the horror intensifies, it becomes increasingly intense. To be honest, cosmic horror isn’t really my cup of tea (it’s just not my preferred genre), but the game effectively creates an eerie atmosphere, particularly at Riverside.

It’s even more satisfying when, having managed to get away, you can set fire to the institution itself.

8. Pokémon Center

Pokémon Franchise

In virtually all Pokémon games, no matter the town or region, a Pokémon Center can always be found. These aren’t like the retail stores operated by Nintendo worldwide, but rather, they serve as healthcare facilities exclusively for Pokémon.

Pokémon Centers, often referred to as PokéCenters, offer a complimentary service that restores your Pokémon’s Health Points (HP), Power Points (PP), and removes any status effects entirely. These facilities are managed by a kindhearted individual known as the Pokémon Center Nurse, who is commonly called Nurse Joy in the anime series.

From the inception of the initial Pokémon series, these healthcare facilities have been dedicated to nursing back to health an abundance of various injured Pokémon, while also offering solace to their trainers. Regardless of where players locate a distinctive red roof, they can always rely on finding assistance for their Pokémon post-battle.

Note that this facility is exclusive to completely launched versions of Pokémon games, so you won’t find features like locations or Nurse Joy in related apps such as Pokémon GO and Pokémon TCG Pocket.

7. Medical Pavillion

BioShock

Bioshock, arguably one of the most legendary steampunk trilogies in video gaming, boasts a plot twist that remains a hot topic of discussion even today. In the initial installment of this series, gamers find themselves venturing into the Medical Facility during the second level.

In the submerged metropolis of Rapture, I found myself at the heart of the Medical Pavilion – a place that once functioned as both a healing sanctuary and a bustling hub for medical enterprises. As time went on, though, it morphed into something far from its initial purpose, transforming into a hotspot for cosmetic surgeries instead.

As the player approaches the Medical Pavilion, they encounter it sealed tight by a Security Robot. Following the Hacking lesson, players can then enter, but discover that the place is entirely deserted and unoccupied – except for some monstrous creatures, naturally.

If your constitution isn’t robust when it comes to horror, this makes for a fantastic starting point. It also offers a fresh perspective on the conventional medical environment.

6. Shalebridge Cradle

Thief: Deadly Shadows

The “Thief” series is renowned for housing some of the most memorable stealth games ever made, starring the character Garrett, an expert burglar and anti-hero, who orchestrates heists at various locales within these games.

In the third installment, titled “Thief: Deadly Shadows,” one of the settings is referred to as “Shalebridge Cradle” or just “The Cradle.” This location is an old, deserted asylum that sends chills down many players’ spines due to its eerie hauntings. These ghostly apparitions are frequent and keep players on edge throughout their gaming experience in the trilogy.

In simpler terms, the mental hospital pulses with a chilling energy – it’s filled with the spirits of the deceased. As puppets brought back to life from former patients menace you with malice, it’s no surprise that this level has left many gamers shivering in fear.

To me, the reimagined Moira Asylum in Thief is more unsettling, yet the eerie environment and ambiance at the Cradle are unrivaled. Despite Moira Asylum excelling in quiet horror, the Cradle’s unique charm remains unmatched. It left a lasting impression for good reason.

5. Raccoon City Hospital

Resident Evil 3

In Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, poor Jill Valentine isn’t having a great day by any stretch. Her S.T.A.R.S. team has taken heavy losses, she’s battling for survival in a city overrun with zombies, and now she’s being relentlessly pursued by Nemesis. From start to finish, this game is undoubtedly one of the most harrowing days that Jill has ever experienced.

Indeed, the Resident Evil 3 Remake includes this continuation, even though the developers had to trim down content (including The Clock Tower) from an already concise game. Fortunately, Raccoon City Hospital was retained in a similar manner.

Following contracting the Nemesis Virus, Jill finds herself confined to bed and near death, leaving it to Carlos to search for a remedy and rescue her. Remarkably, the solution he needs is located in the hospital.

It’s equally amusing to see Carlos getting caught up in a Resident Evil scenario. He might as well be dealing with zombies and Bio-Organic Weapons (B.O.W.s). Voice activation? That’s the most futuristic thing he’s ever encountered, and it’s hard to find that kind of comical interplay in any other healthcare setting.

Although I was disappointed that the Clock Tower wasn’t included, it was delightful to revisit the hospital in the remake, now serving multiple functions.

4. Beacon Mental Hospital

The Evil Within

One effective method for creating an eerie horror atmosphere is by utilizing a mental asylum setting, which is precisely what the game “The Evil Within” capitalized on with its location, the “Beacon Mental Hospital“. It devours you, enveloping you in barbed wire and suffocating you with madness.

Overcoming Escaping Beacon is quite challenging given the various brain-teasers it presents. Puzzles like the Body Bag Enigma are truly exceptional, seamlessly integrated into the atmosphere and contributing to a coherent narrative. Every corner of the asylum will be scrutinized, and no section will remain untouched or unmarked by your efforts.

During your stay at this asylum, you are consistently on high alert and struggling for survival. Thus, once you manage to flee with your companion, the mental hospital remains etched in your mind, its haunting memories proving impossible to shake off.

Make certain to stay low-profile since you wouldn’t want The Butcher to notice you. Remember, nobody desires the fate of the Body Bags.

3. Alchemilla Hospital

Silent Hill

For the first-timers who fired up Silent Hill on their PlayStations, it wasn’t the expected dread that caught them off guard. Instead, they found themselves utterly unprepared for the nightmares lurking in the game.

From Midwich Elementary School, Harry Mason embarks on a journey through the eerie town to find his daughter, Cheryl. She recently celebrated her seventh birthday and has short black hair; if you ask around, no one seems to know where she is. However, things change when you discover details about Alessa Gillespie, particularly her time in Alchemilla Hospital.

At Alchemilla Hospital, where you might come across Lisa Garland, is another place you should know. This is where Lisa Garland is employed, and it’s possible you may cross paths during your investigation. The hospital is teeming with nurses and physicians that Alessa transformed under her curse, a fact that contributes to her fear of them.

Given the terrible mistreatment she endured at the hands of The Order, hidden from public knowledge even by the hospital until she was just seven years old, it’s hard not to understand her resentment.

2. Mount Massive Asylum

Outlast

The game named “Outlast” is a chilling indie stealth horror title that has earned its place in the Horror wing of the Video Game Hall of Fame. As the investigative journalist character, Miles, you find yourself trapped within the ominous walls of Mount Massive Asylum, with no means of escape.

In this game, there’s no fighting; instead, players must evade enemies by navigating through the asylum, often seeking refuge or cover. Essentially, the entire asylum serves as the game’s environment, providing a sense of safety, protection, and confinement for the player.

In simpler terms, you must endure encounters with numerous bizarre characters, which creates an intensely frightening adventure unmatched by others. It’s no wonder that many horror enthusiasts argue that everyone should try it at least once, and the Mount Massive Asylum plays a significant role in this claim.

Mount Massive became virtually interchangeable with the game “Outlast” itself, as players would anxiously gnaw at their fingernails mere moments before hitting Start, having already foreseen the terrifying ordeal that awaited them.

1. Brookhaven Hospital

Silent Hill 2

In contrast to Alchemilla Hospital in the first game, which was notably chilling and impactful, Brookhaven Hospital from Silent Hill 2 surpasses it in numerous ways. It’s not just ten times more terrifying, but it also carries deep metaphorical significance at every turn.

In a nod to its storied past, the “Silent Hill 2 Remake” skillfully recreated Brookhaven Hospital, living up to its legendary status. As an extra delight for fans, it subtly incorporated reminiscent glimpses of days gone by.

In Brookhaven, James Sunderland comes face to face with the renowned Bubble Head Nurse, who is arguably one of the most recognized adversaries in the series aside from Pyramid Head. Interestingly, these nurses serve as a symbolic representation of James’s unfulfilled sexual desires during his wife’s illness and subsequent death.

Without a doubt, when it comes to hospitals, there’s simply no competition for Brookhaven Hospital; no other hospital even approaches its excellence.

2025-02-07 18:40