Surgeon Simulator

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"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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,314 reviews

humor972 positive mentions

stability55 negative mentions

humor
983 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Surgeon Simulator" is characterized by its intentionally awkward controls and absurd scenarios, leading to chaotic and often hilarious outcomes during surgeries. Players frequently experience dark, slapstick comedy as they fumble with tools and inadvertently harm their patients, creating a blend of frustration and laughter. While the humor can be entertaining initially, many reviews suggest that it may wear thin over time, especially as the challenges become repetitive.
- “Controlling the surgeon's hand, players perform surgeries using deliberately awkward controls, leading to hilariously unpredictable outcomes.”
- “Its intentionally awkward controls, chaotic surgical scenarios, and humorous atmosphere make it an entertaining and memorable experience.”
- “The humor present in completely destroying someone's bone structure just so you can lance out their organs (failing or otherwise) and drop in a shiny new one... that's the long and short of the gag, really.”
- “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 in the slightest.”
- “Not funny, more frustrating and tedious.”
gameplay
205 mentions
28 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Surgeon Simulator is characterized by its intentionally clumsy and chaotic mechanics, which create a humorous yet challenging experience. While the game offers a unique comedic twist on surgical procedures, many players find the controls frustrating and the gameplay repetitive over time. Overall, it provides a mix of hilarity and difficulty, appealing to those who enjoy absurdity in gaming, but may not sustain long-term engagement.
- “The gameplay in Surgeon Simulator is intentionally wacky and challenging.”
- “The gameplay is hilariously over the top with awkward controls that only add to the enjoyment.”
- “Unique gameplay, with comical surgical procedures designed to test the intentionally awkward controls to its max. Challenging achievements keep you hooked and red in the face.”
- “The gameplay is horrid, with poor instructions, no real story, and the controls are the worst I've ever tried to play on.”
- “The mechanics are awful, but that just makes the gut-ripping and rib-chopping even more hilarious.”
- “While there isn't much content, everything about it is hilarious: the lack of surgical accuracy, interactivity, gameplay, everything combines together to make a light-hearted game that's perfect for those days when you just aren't feeling perfect.”
music
136 mentions
43 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in Surgeon Simulator is widely praised for its catchy and fitting soundtrack, which enhances the game's comedic and chaotic atmosphere. Many players appreciate the variety of tunes tailored to specific surgeries and locations, although some find the music can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The music is lighthearted and adds to the overall comedic tone.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic and the overall appeal is good, if a bit short-lived at times.”
- “The music holds up pretty well though, I do find myself getting into the music while operating, and it gives off that old hospital drama TV vibe.”
- “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.”
graphics
133 mentions
46 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The graphics in Surgeon Simulator are characterized by a quirky, cartoonish art style that complements the game's absurd and humorous tone, with many players appreciating the detailed and immersive visuals despite their intentionally crude nature. While some reviews note that the graphics are not cutting-edge and can be inconsistent, they generally enhance the comedic experience and fit well within the game's unique premise. Overall, the visuals are considered good for a 2013 title, striking a balance between humor and a somewhat realistic portrayal of surgical scenarios.
- “Surgeon Simulator adopts intentionally quirky and somewhat crude visuals, enhancing the game's humorous and absurd tone.”
- “Despite the game's intentionally absurd nature, the visuals are surprisingly detailed and realistic.”
- “The combination of realistic graphics and comedic gameplay creates a stark contrast that adds to the game's comedic appeal.”
- “Graphics: 5/10”
- “I open the game and click to open the desk area, I can't read anything; it is all glitchy and has bad graphics.”
- “I give Surgeon Simulator 2013 a 4 out of 40; it's 2013 and the graphics look like something from 2012, this game is complete garbage.”
story
123 mentions
17 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story aspect of Surgeon Simulator is largely minimal and often overshadowed by its chaotic gameplay, with many players noting the absence of a coherent narrative. While some reviews mention a humorous or absurd backstory, the game primarily focuses on comedic surgical mishaps rather than deep storytelling. Overall, players seem to appreciate the game's charm and creativity, but they do not recommend it for those seeking a strong narrative experience.
- “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.”
- “Whilst the storyline is a little outrageous, the amount of fun that you'll have getting used to the controls and getting stuck right into a heart transplant far outweighs the outrageousness.”
- “Surgeon Simulator doesn't emphasize narrative, and the story takes a backseat to the chaotic surgical scenarios.”
- “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.”
- “You don't buy this game to complete the storyline; you buy it to mess around with the reception desk or to slap Heavy around the face with his own beating heart.”
stability
57 mentions
4 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and inconsistent controls that significantly hinder gameplay. While some find the comedic nature of these issues entertaining, many agree that the frequent malfunctions and frustrating mechanics detract from the overall experience, making it difficult to recommend. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess" that can be amusing but ultimately frustrating.
- “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
44 mentions
25 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
Surgeon Simulator offers a mixed bag of replayability, with many players enjoying the absurdity and humor that encourages experimentation with surgeries. While some find the game fun and revisit it for achievements or to improve scores, others note its limited content and suggest it may not hold long-term interest. Overall, the game has decent replay value, particularly when played with friends or for achieving higher scores, but it may not justify a full-price purchase for everyone.
- “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' bleeds 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.”
- “It is definitely a fun game and all, but it has very little replay value.”
grinding
24 mentions
4 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
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 humor in the challenge, many agree that the novelty wears off quickly, making the gameplay feel like a chore rather than a fun experience. Overall, the combination of difficult controls and monotonous tasks contributes to a sense of irritation rather than satisfaction.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Definitely not a relaxing game, so if you're looking for a challenge and like tedious and precise objectives, this is it right here.”
- “It's a funny little gimmick at first, but after a while this game seems to just be repetitive and tedious.”
- “Gameplay is exceedingly tedious and will probably leave you with a headache.”
emotional
21 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from intense frustration and rage to deep sadness and heartwarming moments. Players report experiencing tears and emotional breakdowns due to the game's impactful storytelling and challenging gameplay, highlighting its ability to provoke strong reactions. Overall, it is described as a powerful experience that can be both beautiful and distressing, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “I might be writing this to own a badge, but I also wanted to say how emotionally bound I feel to this game.”
- “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
- “It was a beautiful and heartwarming story about a man finding true love.”
optimization
15 mentions
40 % positive mentions
27 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players report smooth performance and compatibility with older hardware, others criticize it for poor responsiveness and unfinished mechanics. Issues such as mouse smoothing and inadequate settings for specific hardware have been highlighted, leading to frustration in gameplay. Overall, while some users find it well-optimized, others experience significant performance challenges that detract from the fun.
- “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, and the game isn't optimized for Logitech's Hero sensor, which makes it feel like the arm I'm controlling takes too long to respond to my mouse commands.”
- “If you're having trouble with performance in the game, I recommend you go on 'power plan' and select high performance, then go in the game and change your graphics to either medium or low.”
atmosphere
11 mentions
55 % positive mentions
18 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its stylized graphics and comedic elements, which create a humorous and chaotic experience. While the sound design enhances this atmosphere, the intentionally awkward controls and absurd scenarios contribute to its overall charm. Although not focused on medical accuracy, the game's engaging atmosphere and numerous easter eggs make it a memorable experience.
- “Its intentionally awkward controls, chaotic surgical scenarios, and humorous atmosphere make it an entertaining and memorable experience.”
- “Of course the game doesn't carry a heavy emphasis on medically accurate procedures, but the excellent soundtrack and overall atmosphere is outstanding.”
- “A good few shakes will get it off, but I'm not really feeling how this helps the atmosphere or humor of the game.”
- “While not particularly memorable, the sound design effectively enhances the game's atmosphere and contributes to the humor.”
- “The character models and environments are stylized, contributing to the game's comedic atmosphere.”
monetization
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is heavily criticized, with users labeling it a cash grab that relies on aggressive DLC promotions and advertising rather than genuine gameplay value. Many feel that the game is more of a meme than a legitimate product, suggesting that its financial success is largely due to YouTube influencers rather than quality content.
- “This game is not a game; it's a cash grab.”
- “It gets boring fast, plus the dev team never stops advertising their DLC in the update news.”
- “Do you like all the games Overkill is advertising through some fabricated association with Payday 2?”