Doctor Pain Review: Don’t Forget to Brush Your Teeth
Doctor Pain is a short but intense PS1-style horror game that plunges players into a nightmarish dentist visit gone wrong. The premise is deceptively simple: Ben, the protagonist, goes in for a routine check-up, only to find himself trapped in a terrifying ordeal. The game immediately sets an unsettling tone, blending the familiar anxiety of dentist visits with an escalating sense of dread while occasionally punctuating the horror with unexpected moments of humor.
The gameplay unfolds through classic tank controls and fixed camera angles. Players must navigate through the twisted dental office, finding items to progress. The intentionally clunky movement adds to the tension, making each encounter feel more threatening. Unlike most modern horror games that solely rely on jump scares, Doctor Pain builds suspense through its limited perspective and deliberate pacing.
Doctor Pain took me back to the golden age of survival horror, reminding me why fixed camera angles and tank controls can be so effective in horror games. The limited view and cumbersome movement heighten the sense of vulnerability, making each successful escape or puzzle solution feel like a significant achievement.
For fans of horror games and those looking for a quick but memorable scare, I recommend you check out Doctor Pain. With a playtime of about fifteen minutes, it's perfect for a short, intense gaming session. Players who appreciate PS1-era aesthetics, challenging controls, and a mix of horror and humor will find Doctor Pain particularly enjoyable. This game serves as a testament to the power of classic horror game design, proving that sometimes less freedom of movement can lead to more intense horror experiences.
Available On: Windows, macOS, Linux
Controls: Mouse & Keyboard