Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient

Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient is a survival horror game set in a nightmarish hospital environment, blending 2D scrolling and 3D perspectives with anime/manga art. Players navigate as Ayame Itou through a fantasy-horror landscape, solving puzzles and evading deadly threats while attempting to escape the relentless terror. The game features stealth-based gameplay and a narrative focused on survival, serving as a prologue to the larger Corpse Party saga despite currently releasing only a single chapter.

Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient: Review

Introduction

Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient is a bold departure from the series’ roots, yet it retains the unsettling atmosphere and narrative depth that have made Corpse Party a cult classic. Released in 2019, this episodic horror game shifts the setting from the infamous Heavenly Host Elementary School to the eerie halls of Amare Patriarcha Crucis Hospital. As a standalone entry in the franchise, Dead Patient introduces new characters and a fresh story while subtly weaving in callbacks to the original trilogy. This review will dissect the game’s development history, narrative, gameplay mechanics, and its place in the horror genre, ultimately arguing that Dead Patient is a worthy, if flawed, addition to the Corpse Party legacy.

Development History & Context

Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient was developed by Team GrisGris, the same indie studio behind the 2008 PC port of the original Corpse Party. The game marks a significant evolution in the series, transitioning from 2D pixel art to a top-down 3D perspective while retaining the chibi-style character models. The development process was fraught with challenges, including the creation of a proprietary engine, the “Kenix Engine,” which initially led to technical issues. The original 2013 release was plagued by bugs and tile-based lighting, prompting the team to overhaul the engine into “Kenix Engine NEUES” and release a patched version in 2017.

The game’s episodic structure was influenced by the success of Corpse Party: Blood Covered, but Dead Patient faced delays due to the ongoing development of Blood Drive. Despite these hurdles, the game was eventually localized by XSEED Games and released in the West in 2019. The decision to release the first chapter as a standalone product was met with mixed reactions, as fans hoped for a more substantial experience.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Characters

Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient follows Ayame Itou, a high school student who wakes up from a coma in the abandoned Amare Patriarcha Crucis Hospital with no memory of her past. The hospital is overrun by zombies, ghosts, and other monstrosities, and Ayame must navigate its labyrinthine corridors to uncover the truth behind her predicament and escape alive. The game’s narrative is divided into two main chapters: the primary story featuring Ayame and an extra chapter from the perspective of Satoshi Mochida, a character from the original Corpse Party.

The story is set five years after the events of Corpse Party: Blood Drive and introduces a new cast of characters, including Masato Hiyami, Chiyomi Homura, and Ritsuko Satomi. While the game is a standalone story, it includes subtle references to the original trilogy, such as the appearance of Satoshi and the mention of the Heavenly Host Elementary School. This connection adds depth for longtime fans while allowing newcomers to enjoy the story on its own merits.

Themes and Tone

Dead Patient explores themes of identity, trauma, and the horrors of medical experimentation. Ayame’s amnesia serves as a metaphor for the loss of innocence and the struggle to reclaim one’s sense of self. The hospital setting, with its sterile corridors and hidden horrors, amplifies the sense of isolation and dread. The game’s tone is darker and more psychological than its predecessors, with a focus on body horror and existential terror.

The narrative is punctuated by moments of genuine horror, such as the discovery of mutilated corpses and the grotesque transformations of the hospital’s patients. However, the episodic format and abrupt cliffhanger ending leave many questions unanswered, which may frustrate players seeking a complete story.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay

Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient blends survival horror, adventure, and puzzle-solving elements. Players control Ayame as she explores the hospital, interacts with objects, and solves puzzles to progress. The game features a top-down perspective with 360-degree movement, allowing for more dynamic navigation compared to the original games.

One of the most significant changes is the item system. Items must be equipped to be used, and the game does not always indicate when an item is needed for a puzzle. This design choice adds a layer of challenge but can also lead to frustration when players miss crucial items. The inventory management system has been streamlined, with a wheel-based menu that allows for quick access to items.

Combat and Stealth

Unlike previous Corpse Party games, Dead Patient introduces action-oriented gameplay, including stealth mechanics and boss battles. Players can run, hide in cabinets, and throw objects to distract enemies. Combat is minimal, with most encounters resolved through quick-time events (QTEs) when Ayame is caught by enemies. The addition of these mechanics adds a new dimension to the series but feels somewhat out of place with the slower-paced adventure elements.

Puzzles and Progression

The puzzles in Dead Patient are generally well-designed but can be cryptic at times. Players must combine items and interact with the environment to solve them, with some puzzles requiring backtracking to previous areas. The game features a map system, which is a welcome addition given the hospital’s complex layout.

Health management is simplified compared to previous games. Ayame heals automatically when left alone, and bandages are plentiful. However, the game’s short length and lack of difficulty make health management a non-issue for most players.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Visual Direction

Dead Patient marks a significant departure from the series’ traditional 2D pixel art style. The game adopts a top-down 3D perspective with chibi-style character models, which has been a point of contention among fans. The cel-shaded graphics and dynamic lighting create a unique visual style that fits the game’s horror aesthetic, but the chibi models can feel at odds with the dark tone.

The hospital setting is meticulously designed, with detailed environments that enhance the game’s atmosphere. The use of shadows and lighting creates a sense of dread, and the occasional grotesque imagery, such as mutilated corpses, adds to the horror.

Sound Design

The sound design in Dead Patient is one of the game’s strongest aspects. The ambient sounds, such as distant screams and flickering lights, create an immersive and unsettling atmosphere. The soundtrack, composed by Mao Hamamoto, is moody and atmospheric, with tracks that range from eerie piano melodies to intense orchestral pieces during boss battles.

The voice acting is sparse, with most dialogue presented as text. However, the game features occasional voice clips for sound effects and emotional moments, which add depth to the characters. The lack of full voice acting is a missed opportunity, as it detracts from the game’s immersion.

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics praising its atmosphere and narrative while criticizing its short length and technical issues. The game holds an average critic score of 70% on MobyGames, with reviews highlighting its strong storytelling and innovative mechanics but noting its flaws.

Commercially, the game was a modest success, with an estimated 12,000 units sold. Its episodic format and the lack of subsequent chapters have left many fans disappointed, as the story remains incomplete. The game’s legacy is further complicated by the announcement of Corpse Party: Darkness Distortion, a separate project that may or may not be connected to Dead Patient.

Influence and Impact

Despite its flaws, Dead Patient has had a lasting impact on the horror genre. Its blend of adventure, stealth, and puzzle-solving elements has influenced other indie horror games, and its episodic format has been adopted by several recent titles. The game’s dark themes and psychological horror have also resonated with players, cementing its place in the Corpse Party canon.

Conclusion

Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient is a bold and ambitious entry in the Corpse Party series, but its episodic format and technical issues hold it back from reaching its full potential. The game’s narrative is compelling, and its atmosphere is masterfully crafted, but the short length and lack of subsequent chapters leave a sour taste. Despite these flaws, Dead Patient is a worthy addition to the series, offering a fresh take on the Corpse Party formula.

In the grand tapestry of horror gaming, Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient stands as a unique and unsettling experience. While it may not surpass the original trilogy in terms of impact, it carves out its own niche in the genre. For fans of the series, it is a must-play, but newcomers may find its shortcomings off-putting. Ultimately, Dead Patient is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Corpse Party franchise and a promising, if unfinished, chapter in its history.