by Faith Marlow

Created on: December 09, 2008   Last Updated: August 07, 2011

Hospital Hustle is yet another attempt to cash in on Diner Dash's fame and fortune. In this adventure, Sarah is fresh out of nursing school and anxious to embark in the hectic and colorful world of nursing. Traveling from California to Maryville, Tennessee for her first job, Sarah bravely wades through sick patients and lazy doctors to get the job done. The cities may change but for Sarah it's the same old story, she does the work and the gets none of the credit. Darn doctors and their fancy baby detecting machines!

Gameplay is what we have came to know and expect from point n' click chore games, only this time a big rubber glove cursor grabs the afflicted by the head and drops them in the appropriate area of the medical center. While doctors wave various wands and inspect patients with magnifying glasses Sherlock Holmes style, Sarah is busy making beds, running charts and handing out meds. The graphics are bright and cheerful but otherwise unremarkable. There is no innovation or amusing animations to speak of. Audio consists of generic "video game music" that lacks inspiration but, like the graphics, does the job. There are a few hospital inspired beeps and chimes from the different stations in attempt to add a little flavor to the game but it doesn't contribute that much.

I was hoping from more from this game. I was hoping for a nice little hybrid between Diner Dash and Trauma Center. Some reference to authentic medical conditions would have been a welcomed touch to the game and would have added some depth to the gameplay. The only obvious thing wrong with these guys is a green, red or purple face. No injuries, limping, groaning or puking kids in the waiting room. Everyone walks in on their own accord, the ambulance relegated to carting off patients to other hospitals if Sarah's center doesn't have the one that is needed and waits patiently to be seen. If it was a real medical center, it would be top rate but since it is a game, it lacks detail.

Hospital Hustle is another syrupy sweet rendition of yet another stressful real world job. There is nothing that sets it apart in the sea of similar games that is flooding the market and no incentive to buy it short of having a particular liking to nursing over being a waitress or nanny. Instead of paying $19.99 for this game, I plan to add a little more to it and pick up one of the Trauma Center titles for the Nintendo DS to get my recommended daily dose of medical themed gaming.

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