Do No Harm

Do No Harm offers a unique blend of medical puzzle gameplay wrapped in a Lovecraftian atmosphere. Players manage resources and diagnose patients with limited information, creating an immersive and sometimes tense experience. The game’s art style, combining 2D and 3D elements, is widely praised for its distinct and pleasing visuals. The storyline has intriguing eldritch themes and multiple endings, encouraging replayability. However, the game can be confusing due to under-explained mechanics and a steep learning curve, especially regarding dosage management and sanity mechanics. Some players find the difficulty balancing act between Chill and Classic modes either too lenient or too stressful. While the game delivers on atmosphere and engagement, it occasionally frustrates with guesswork and inconsistent tutorial clarity. The save system and some gameplay elements could benefit from refinement to enhance user experience. Overall, Do No Harm is recommended for patient players who enjoy narrative-driven puzzle games with a dark, psychological twist.

The game shines in its atmospheric storytelling and art direction but struggles with pacing and mechanic clarity.

Highlights

Players consistently praise the game's unique art style that blends 2D and 3D visuals effectively. The Lovecraftian atmosphere and eerie, immersive storytelling create a compelling mood. The core gameplay of diagnosing and treating patients is engaging, especially the resource management and puzzle elements. Multiple endings based on player choices add depth and replay value. The narrative delivers intriguing eldritch lore and moral choices that impact outcomes, enhancing the psychological horror aspect. Many find the game rewarding once the mechanics are understood, highlighting the satisfaction of piecing together clues and managing treatments.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the steep learning curve and insufficient tutorial explanations, leading to confusion and guesswork, especially around dosage and sanity mechanics. The save system is seen as cumbersome, lacking easy tracking or summaries of progress. Some players find the pacing uneven, with Chill mode removing too much challenge and Classic mode adding stressful time pressure. The dosage system’s design, including non-stacking medicines, frustrates some users. Additionally, the story is considered light by some, and the game occasionally feels inconsistent in tone and mechanic integration. Bugs or unclear effects in player choices also detract from immersion.