Surgeon Simulator

About

"Surgeon Simulator" is a physics-based operating game where you play as a surgeon named Nigel Burke, tasked with performing various difficult surgeries on poor Bob. With over 3 million units sold and numerous award nominations, the game is known for its humor and challenging gameplay, allowing players to either save Bob or fail hilariously. The app is now available on iPhone and iPad, providing on-the-go surgery fun for players of all skill levels.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+30

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82%

Audience ScoreBased on 20,158 reviews

humor2.4k positive mentions

stability122 negative mentions

The dark, slapstick humor and absurd scenarios create chaotic and hilarious gameplay moments.
The unique control scheme adds a challenging and entertaining twist to performing surgical operations.
The catchy and energetic soundtrack complements the game's comedic tone, enhancing the overall experience.

The intentionally clumsy controls can be frustrating and lead to a repetitive gameplay experience.
The game lacks a substantial storyline, which may disappoint players seeking deeper narrative engagement.
Many players criticize the game's stability, reporting glitches and bugs that hinder gameplay.

humor
2,444 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Surgeon Simulator" is characterized by its dark, slapstick comedy and absurd scenarios, often resulting from the intentionally clumsy controls that lead to chaotic and hilarious outcomes. Players frequently find themselves in ridiculous situations, such as using inappropriate tools for surgery or accidentally causing excessive blood loss, which amplifies the game's comedic effect. While many enjoy the humor and unpredictability, some find the repetitive nature and frustrating controls can diminish the fun over time, making it a game best played in short bursts or with friends for maximum laughter.
- “This unique control scheme is the game’s defining feature, as it turns what would otherwise be straightforward tasks into challenging, often hilarious struggles.”
- “The slapstick humor is amplified by over-the-top blood loss, panicked music, and the increasingly dire situations that result from the player’s mistakes.”
- “Everything considered, 'Surgeon Simulator' is a uniquely challenging, darkly comedic take on simulation games that stands out for its awkward controls and chaotic humor.”
- “I realize that Surgeon Simulator is supposed to be funny and entertaining, but I don't find it funny mainly because of terrible controls.”
- “Not funny, more frustrating and tedious.”
- “I'm not sure I get it, but it's supposed to be funny when you try to grab objects which is quite impossible and performing kind of operations with it which always ends in a kind of disaster.”
gameplay
558 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
61%
11%
The gameplay of "Surgeon Simulator" is characterized by intentionally clumsy controls that create a humorous yet frustrating experience as players attempt to perform absurd surgical operations. While the novelty of its chaotic mechanics can be entertaining, many players find the gameplay repetitive and the controls overly difficult, leading to a mix of enjoyment and irritation. Overall, the game excels in providing comedic moments through its ridiculous scenarios, but it may not satisfy those seeking a more traditional or skill-based gaming experience.
- “The core gameplay in 'Surgeon Simulator' centers on performing surgical operations with intentionally cumbersome controls that simulate individual fingers and wrist movements.”
- “The gameplay in 'Surgeon Simulator' is intentionally wacky and challenging.”
- “Unique gameplay, with comical surgical procedures designed to test the intentional awkward controls to its max. Challenging achievements keep you hooked and red in the face.”
- “However, 'Surgeon Simulator' may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer precise or skill-based gameplay.”
- “Some players may find the novelty of the controls wears off quickly, leading to repetition and frustration, particularly if they’re looking for a game that offers meaningful progression or deeper mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is horrid (with crap instruction in ss), no real story in any way and the controls are the worst I've ever (at least tried) to play on.”
graphics
346 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
45%
9%
The graphics of "Surgeon Simulator" are characterized by a simplistic, cartoonish art style that effectively complements its comedic and absurd gameplay. While some players appreciate the quirky and exaggerated visuals, others note that the graphics can be low-quality and occasionally glitchy, yet they still manage to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game's visuals are seen as fitting for its humorous tone, with many reviewers finding them enjoyable despite their lack of realism.
- “The graphics are clean but minimal, focusing on the essentials to ensure players aren’t overly distracted by details while they struggle with controls.”
- “Surgeon Simulator adopts intentionally quirky and somewhat crude visuals, enhancing the game's humorous and absurd tone.”
- “The combination of realistic graphics and comedic gameplay creates a stark contrast that adds to the game's comedic appeal.”
- “The controls are horrible, the graphics are low res, and the jokes are childish.”
- “I open the game and click to open the desk area, I can't read anything; it is all glitchy and has bad graphics.”
- “The controls are god awful, the sound and graphics are sub-par and the whole thing feels like someone made this in 2 hours for a class project.”
story
336 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
77%
8%
The game's story is minimal and largely non-existent, with players primarily engaging in chaotic surgical missions rather than following a narrative. While there are humorous elements and some backstory about the character Nigel, the focus is on gameplay mechanics and absurdity rather than deep storytelling. Overall, players find the lack of a substantial plot disappointing, but the comedic mishaps and challenges provide entertainment value.
- “The second storyline is the beautiful, heartwarming, and emotional tale of a man learning to use his hands for the first time.”
- “Intricate mechanics, steady challenge progression, captivating story and writing, truly beautiful ending and art style that complements the gameplay perfectly.”
- “It even has some degree of story as you play Nigel in his quest to be a surgeon, and your phone calls reveal more about the character.”
- “☑️ This game has no story.”
- “There's no real storyline to this game, just a medical file full of many missions (and extras!) for you to get the most out of this title.”
- “What this game lacks in depth and story it gains in hilariousness.”
music
332 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
51%
6%
The music in Surgeon Simulator is widely praised for its catchy and energetic soundtrack, which complements the game's chaotic and humorous gameplay. Many players appreciate the variety of tunes tailored to specific surgeries and settings, enhancing the overall experience. However, some find the music can become repetitive over time, leading to mixed feelings about its longevity in gameplay.
- “The soundtrack in Surgeon Simulator complements the chaotic nature of the gameplay.”
- “The music is lighthearted and adds to the overall comedic tone.”
- “The game features a fantastic soundtrack, which kicks your mind right into performance mode.”
- “The music can get a little repetitive though.”
- “The soundtrack made me stop playing and gave me a headache.”
- “I'm serious; I tried to play this game and experience it but its music is so in your face and off-putting.”
stability
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The stability of Surgeon Simulator is widely criticized, with numerous reports of glitches, bugs, and finicky physics that hinder gameplay. While some players find the comedic value in these issues, many express frustration over the inconsistent controls and frequent malfunctions, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's stability is a significant drawback, leading to mixed recommendations from users.
- “It runs great and does what it tries to do well.”
- “There are no glitches I know of, and it has some cool DLC and hidden levels.”
- “The actual game is buggy as all hell and items will often refuse to 'stick' to your hand when grasped, and even if you do grasp it, it will often be in a position that is utterly useless.”
- “I don't recommend this game because the mechanics of this game are weak, the controls are buggy, the lack of operations you can do and it gets boring after 90 minutes.”
- “Glitches and bad design decisions make it difficult and unclear how to proceed, and finicky goal conditions mean you can do everything required but still fail for no reason.”
replayability
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
63%
10%
Surgeon Simulator offers a mixed bag of replayability, with many players enjoying the absurdity and humor that encourages experimentation with surgeries. While some find value in pursuing achievements and different play styles, others note that the limited number of operations and repetitive gameplay can lead to burnout, resulting in overall low replay value. The game is best enjoyed in short bursts, particularly with friends, but may not hold long-term appeal for all players.
- “Surgeon Simulator's replay value lies in its absurdity and the enjoyment derived from experimenting with unconventional surgeries.”
- “Oh, and there's definitely a replayability factor - I'm always trying to see if I can get more of the easter egg achievements, or get a better score on my surgeries, or honestly, just returning to do the surgery again because it's so much fun.”
- “The game offers a good variety and replayability because you can perform the surgery in different ways; you can do it like a pro using your accuracy to spare your patient, or you can try to finish as fast as possible, hoping that you will complete it before 'Bob' is bleeding out.”
- “One of the game's downsides is its limited replay value.”
- “Most people will beat all challenges in 4-7 hours, and there is no replay value.”
- “I feel as though Surgeon Simulator has very limited and repetitive gameplay, giving it very little replay value.”
grinding
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
15%
80%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, often leading to frustration rather than enjoyment. While some players find a certain charm in the challenge, many agree that the gameplay can quickly become monotonous and stressful, detracting from the overall experience. The controls are frequently described as cumbersome, adding to the sense of tedium as players struggle to complete tasks.
- “Tasks, though, are tantalizingly varied—no tedious treadmill of sameness here!”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Gameplay is exceedingly tedious and will probably leave you with a headache.”
- “Having to repeat tough surgeries over and over to progress gets very tedious and stressful.”
- “It's a funny little gimmick at first, but after a while this game seems to just be repetitive and tedious.”
emotional
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from laughter and joy to frustration and tears. Players report experiencing deep emotional connections to the storylines, with some moments being heartwarming and others leading to intense stress and emotional breakdowns. Overall, the game is described as both a beautiful and powerful experience that can provoke strong reactions, whether positive or negative.
- “I might be writing this to own a badge, but I also wanted to say how emotionally bound I feel to this game.”
- “It was a beautiful and heartwarming story about a man finding true love.”
- “If you're tired of all of the crap that the games industry has put out and are in need of a dark, shocking, emotionally powerful, and overall graphically stunning masterpiece that will make you question your own morals, then this game is for you.”
optimization
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players reporting smooth performance on older hardware, while others criticize it for poor mouse responsiveness and unrefined mechanics that hinder gameplay. Despite some users finding it well-optimized, many feel it lacks polish, leading to frustrating experiences during operations. Overall, while it can run adequately on lower-end systems, the game is often described as unfinished and in need of significant improvements.
- “I haven't found any technical issues; I would think a potato could run Surgeon Simulator; it's a well-optimized game.”
- “Graphics-wise, it runs smoothly and perfectly on my early 2011 15-inch MacBook Pro.”
- “Beyond that, you can spend hours trying to improve your performance during operations in terms of blood loss or time elapsed.”
- “This game used to be fun and all, the trending game in 2013 is now just another poorly optimized comeback.”
- “It has a mouse smoothing feature that can't be changed via settings or the game isn't optimized for Logitech's Hero sensor, and that's why it looks like the arm I'm controlling takes too long to respond to my mouse commands.”
- “Not a particularly optimized game in terms of performance.”
atmosphere
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
31%
14%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its stylized character models and environments, which enhance the comedic tone and humor throughout. While the sound design and soundtrack contribute positively, the overall experience is marked by intentionally awkward controls and chaotic scenarios that create an entertaining, albeit not deeply memorable, atmosphere. Despite some mixed reviews on specific elements, many players find the atmosphere engaging and filled with easter eggs.
- “The character models and environments are stylized, contributing to the game's comedic atmosphere.”
- “Its intentionally awkward controls, chaotic surgical scenarios, and humorous atmosphere make it an entertaining and memorable experience.”
- “A good few shakes will get it off, but I'm not really feeling how this helps the atmosphere or humor of the game.”
- “Atmosphere 6/10”
- “While not particularly memorable, the sound design effectively enhances the game's atmosphere and contributes to the humor.”
monetization
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game is heavily criticized, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" that relies on aggressive DLC advertising and associations with popular YouTubers for promotion. Players feel the game lacks substance and is primarily designed to generate revenue rather than provide a meaningful experience, likening it to other meme-based games that prioritize profit over quality.
- “Is not a game, it's a cash grab.”
- “Gets boring fast, plus the dev team never stops advertising their DLC in the update news.”
- “One of those worthless 'lmao' meme games/shameless cash grabs that was literally made in two days, like Goat Simulator or Shower with Your Dad Simulator 2015.”

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5h Median play time

8h Average play time

3-13h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 40 analyzed playthroughs

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