For years, conventional thought has said that the survival horror genre is on the decline, if not dying outright. As classic bastions of slower, more psychological play drifted into twitch gameplay and heavy commercialization, more and more independent games have managed to keep vigil for those who appreciate genuine terror. Sanatorium is the latest game in this modern revival. Built up from an elegantly distilled core of exploration and vulnerability, Sanatorium asserts the brilliantly masochistic joy of fear.
Sanatorium takes its name from a relatively new urban legend: the Slender Man. Created from whole cloth by an Internet denizen, this information age monster is a far cry from anything in the classical pantheon. His unique mythology and strangely broad appeal meant that it didn't take long for the eerie figure to make his way to video games.
Keeping the focus on weakness and exploration, Sanatorium expands on the ideas of the original with a basic story and the creative application of old mechanics. The game allows you to explore the Sanatorium with nothing, but a hand-me-down flashlight. Pushing back the veil of darkness that looms over the area, it's the closest thing to a weapon you get. Whether you're playing with friends, or by yourself in Single Player, Sanatorium is a game you wish you never had stumbled upon, in a good way, that is.
The dynamic lighting makes the game a whole lot creepier
It should come as no surprise that the game's primary antagonist is the Slender Man. A really tall, faceless man, he often appears very close to you, causing the screen to become distorted. The warped screen rapidly becomes more violent the longer you look at him and the closer you are, making it impossible to safely examine the ghastly killer. That, combined with the dark, misty environments, keeps the fear of the unknown at the forefront throughout. Level design is equally oppressive, in the best possible way. The initial areas are large and open with plenty of places to run if the Slender Man makes an unexpected appearance. Tension is high, but there isn't much real danger. Later, however, as you collect more pages, it limits time, and therefore makes you more vulnerable to attacks. The faint echo of footsteps and moans makes it hard to pin down just where your pursuer will come from, which elicits panicked, frenetic play.
Unfortunately, as spectacularly as the claustrophobic design works in some areas, the effect of it is hampered by a few new updates. As Dapale updates the game with new "upgrade points", it breaks the game's purpose. From brighter flashlights, to Slender Sensor, it had great potential to become a masterpiece. Thankfully, this is only a major issue in the whole game, but it's weird regardless.
As a sort-of myth born on the Internet, Slender Man is probably one of the first genuinely compelling monsters to grace pop culture in a long time. The related games and their variants and mods, as well as the stories and YouTube videos surrounding them, show the genesis of 21st century folklore. While a little rough around the edges, Sanatorium is fascinating because it plays on modern fears through a modern medium. For that, it has managed to breathe new life into a genre once thought dead. Sanatorium is not an experience you will soon forget. Just be sure to play at night with headphones for full effect. Good luck.
