The Patient

About

The Patient is a small indie atmospheric horror puzzle experience loosely made in the style of an older PS1 horror aesthetic. Take on the role of an unsuspecting doctor forced to work night shift to find and euthanize an infected patient housed within the basement of the institution. Game Warning:Disturbing Content, Blood and Gore, Fictional Drug References You play as Dr. Ellen Reed, and you ar…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

74%

Audience ScoreBased on 23 reviews

graphics2 positive mentions

stability10 negative mentions

The game offers an immersive experience that keeps players on the edge of their seats.
The retro visual design and sound effects are well-executed, creating a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of PS1 horror games.
Despite its flaws, the game has potential and can be enjoyable for those who appreciate unique horror concepts.

The gameplay is bogged down by slow movement and excessive text, which detracts from the urgency of the timed challenges.
The reliance on RNG for solving puzzles can lead to frustrating experiences, as players may feel their success is purely luck-based.
The game is very short, with some players able to complete it in as little as 5 to 30 minutes, which may leave them wanting more.

stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
Overall, the game's stability is characterized by a few glitches that do not significantly impact gameplay, although players may experience occasional softlocks requiring a restart. The randomness of glitch appearances adds an unpredictable element, and while the game runs well on the Steam Deck, some users express confusion over the varying frequency of glitches between sessions.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck!”
- “The problem is, you have 30 minutes to find these glitches in the patient data, and it is completely random as to whether a glitch will appear or not.”
- “I had some glitches; you may have to restart the game if you get a softlock after the death cutscene.”
- “I am confused by the hint; why does the number of glitches switch between runs?”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
60%
30%
The gameplay has a promising concept but suffers from poor execution, leading to a tedious experience. While there are some bugs and glitches, they do not significantly impact gameplay. The repetitive loop of tasks can feel cumbersome, requiring players to engage in meticulous actions that detract from overall enjoyment.
- “Bugs & glitches: it does have a few glitches, but they do not affect your gameplay.”
- “I like the concept, but the execution was just off when it comes to the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay loop is: head past the patients to load the floppy disk, check for lights in their rooms, head to your office and mount the disk.”
- “Yeah, I was very close to refund this one, but it does exactly what it says in the description; it's just that it's very tedious gameplay.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, leading some to consider refunding it, despite it fulfilling its described purpose.
- “I was very close to refunding this one; it does exactly what it says in the description, but the gameplay is just very tedious.”
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I find the grinding mechanics to be overly drawn out, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics and sound design received high praise, with users appreciating the quality of visuals and the effective use of cutscenes. There is a desire for future games to maintain this high standard while also offering longer gameplay experiences.
- “The visuals and sound were great; I think you should maintain the use of cutscenes going forward. I would love to see a longer game with the same level of quality from you.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The music and sound design in the game are highly praised, with reviewers highlighting the phenomenal quality of the soundtrack and the overall impressive presentation.
- “The sound design and soundtrack are phenomenal, and the overall presentation is great.”
- “The music perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the emotional experience.”
- “Each track is masterfully composed, making every moment in the game feel immersive.”