The weird survival horror game for the Nintendo DS - Dementium: The Ward (2007) Retrospective
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- Опубликовано: 23 окт 2022
- Back during the early days of the DS a small developer approached Konami with the prospect of making a first person Silent Hill game on the handheld. They were rejected. So instead they decided to make their own game instead, Dementium: The Ward. Is this a hidden classic? Or is it just a tedious slog? Come join me as we look back on a bizarre oddity. FPS horror on the Nintendo DS...
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/ bunkerdweller 
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Now a days, this game would be considered an Indie hit
Not really, it's only remarkable because it's a DS horror game.
@@EmergencyChannel still
Nah, if you want a real good indie First Person Survival Horror you get Nightmare in Decay (4 bucks, better enemies, actual level design, randomizer built in, horde mode, roguelite mode).
Dementium is just poor, poor gameplay balancement, costant reuse of both textures, assets and entire rooms, low enemy and environment variety.
@kirailgun3800 I see.
I did buy dementium...guess I will try this as well
Well... you see.
You actually can avoid that one attack from the final boss. When he picks you up off the ground, you’re supposed to immediately shoot both of his hands, and he’ll drop you without dealing any damage.
The revolver is the best weapon to use when this happens, because all it takes is one shot to each hand.
Laugh on Demented Difficulty against Screamers only M16 can knock them afar but low damage even Combined Shotgun and Revolver needs to be far or you get 1 shot by those screamers.
@nyahdesu_ In demented Mode those screamers tooks 3 magazine of AR to down even mix with revolver and Sniper, Saw is pretty useless ok those screamers by 2
In Demented if you have the buzz saw you can still kill screamer easily
I think the level design is pretty accurate to what a mental ward actually looks like inside. It's all angles and long identical corridors.
Dementium 2 was an improvement in every way. The environments are more varied and you can use the flashlight with the gun at the same time. Just a shame that the story takes a nosedive off a cliff at the end
Dementium 2 got a nice HD remaster on PC
@@pazuzu6666 Always wished number 1 got a port as well. Could have threw them in a double pack
To this day i don't understand the plot to dementium.
@@PaleRejent You're in a hospital surrounded by monsters that you have to kill and you must uncover great secrets about said hospital.... Or ya know. Maybe not tho. Might just be crazy.
@@PaleRejentbasically you go crazy and/or are teleported to a satanic realm, key word being and/or. It is actually really simple but I love it
you should play Dementium II, they improve it in every way.
Oh man, i played this way back when on my DS and absolutely loving it. It just felt so right, and the sequel did a lot of things well too. Just a shame we never got a conclusion to this story...
The game hits my nostalgia I never beat it as a kid I got to scared 😅😅😅
I remember the sequel's port to the PC and it was pretty bad as a remake, I kind of wish they'd find a way to do these games justice so they could be enjoyed more properly as FPS games
Quick note about the final boss fight: when the doc lifts you, shoot both his hands. You'll stagger him and he'll drop you. But yeah, it feels unfair if you don't know this trick.
The asylum setting reminds me of Dark Meadow: The Pact
This game terrified me as a kid
I've heard of this one very briefly. I'm very impressed how you managed to push this much content out just before October ended.
I always liked Dementium. I played this game during my college days and it really creeped me out. Someone should remake it
I remember playing the remaster of this game on the 3ds. It wasn't to bad in my memory, I just found the level layout in some areas to be confusing, mostly due to the reuse of assets. I didn't have a clue as to what was going on in the story though. Maybe I outta revisit it.
had no idea there was a 3DS remake as I was editing this video. Honestly looks pretty decent graphics wise, but I'd doubt I'd revisit it
@@BunkerDweller Not worth it honestly. No reworks to the level design or anything. And all the environments still look the same, which blows.
@@EggBlunt reloading, barely need to use touch screen, better graphics, updated version of the renegade engine
The 3DS Version doesn't have respawning enemies
Jus found your channel today and I absolutely LOVE the content. You’re exactly what I’ve been looking for!
The remaster on 3DS was pretty lit too.
Funny how my first time playing a resident evil game was the RE1 for the DS. 3d on a portable was mindblowing for me as a kid.
I think this was the game I was so terrified to look at when I was a kid….. I remember skipping the app icon as fast as I could whenever I was about to choose a game in my nintendo DS. The app icon still creeps me out to this day.
Whats really annoying is if you die, you have to start the chapter again.
thank you for the fun review! can i ask what the game is at the beginning?
Dementium was pitched to Konami as a Silent Hill game. They turned it down. So they had to come up with an original IP.
The first cutscene with dialogue was with the pistol who dies
Back in the day I loved this game, and I probably still love it if I play it again. I also enjoyed the sequel, it improves over the original in every way BUT, If you didn't like the first, you shouldn't feel forced to play the sequel. On the other hand, this should be played on real hardware, not through an emulator. It plays perfectly through the touch screen and I don't think it translates well on an emulator.
I am sorry, but cop: the recruit is the best graphics game on the DS. Period XD A literal open world GTA style game almost looking ps2...
There is also ports of quake 1 and doom that run great, and someone made a portal (!!!) tech demo. But cop the recruit is number 1 I think XD
Ah dementium, moon, black ops zombie and nameless game. Underrated horror games on the ds.
You would probably like the second game alot better. The level design is more varied with more interesting enemies, and there is a HD release on Steam. I still appreciate this game and its sequel on the DS though, good nostalgia.
HD is worse on many aspects tho. But I loved it truly even that way
Really looking forwards to the dementium 2 review
Always wanted to play this as a kid , it's cool that it's out on the playstation store but I'd always wanted to play it on the ds
I find it interesting how I'm hearing a lot of Ross Scott in what you're doing but I feel like Ross makes more of a focus on creating an illusion of immersion by proxy (his main course is in describing some of the problems he's experiencing with the game and how he strategizes to solve them, as if it's happening in the real time in front of me) and does less of the blunt descriptive analytics, whereas with you it's more of the analytics. I don't know if it's rude to compare you to Ross like that but I'm rooting for your channel, it does feel like the videos could benefit if you would trim the more descriptive aspects in them a bit.
I’m literally downloading the remastered version of this game on my new 3DS LL at this very moment!!
Had no idea there were games like this on the system and it looks like a bad ass game !?!?
I just now saw an article that says this game is being made for ps4 and 5
its out already 20$
Idk when I subscribed but this video rocked and I’m amazed you don’t have more attention. Good shit :)
Apart from a few imperfections, this game was outstanding considering how risky it was and how small a developer it came from.
I still can’t believe how many CoD ports the DS got versus the one on the PS Vita.
I thought this was a weird fever dream. Never would have imagined id see it again.
I found it fun, but I see where you're coming from. A lot of what you said is very valid.
Also, as another commenter said, it is possible to dodge the final boss's attack by shooting his hands.
If the og developer guy (cause company is gone) makes a Dementium III, I would love for the story to get more of a focus and have it wrap everything up. Cause Dementium 2 improved a lot, but didn't answer much.
hehey, you showed Moon! i'd love still for you to review it. I tried this game before, but i got stuck and forgot about it, lol. I wonder if the ending for Dementium 2 will be another sequel bait.
Comes out tomorow for ps5 🎉
And ps4
Yooo this unlocked some hidden memory. I played this.
stilll waiting on that dementium 2 vid
I always loved the resident evil series as so when I was in my early teens I wanted a horror game for the DS but no resident evil and somehow I got this one and I loved it this game was legit very terrifying to me back then and even gave me nightmares came close to finishing it but never did now all these years later I remember it gonna go back and beat it on my emulator
You... played metroid like that?
I remember playing with my childhood friends on the park. 4 NDSs, 4 copies of metroid, multiplayer for hours. We were better aiming on that thing that we were on mouse on our PCs.
Maybe it's because we had big hands but the idea is that you pinch the DS between your pinky and ring finger on the right hand, while moving the stylus with the rest of the hand, and the left hand using the directional pad and carrying the weight. It's actually piss easy to control like that.
Dementium: The Ward has been remastered for the Switch!
The remastered version from the 3DS has been ported to the Nintendo Switch.
Your videos are comfy as fuck
Actually, if you shoot the final boss's hands while they glow, he takes extra damage and he drops you.
The developer actually works on a 2D Demake of Dementium.
well it's not rewarding, because then it would be "Dementium Reward" instead of "The ward"
Dementium 2 and Moon were Masterpieces of the DS
Moon was awesome 🔥
I have moon and moon chronicles and love them both
God I miss this game so much but I can't bring myself to go back and play it just becuase I know it'll hurt to play now
I believe the soon to die survivor on the roof is named Carl. Given the concept art from the game.
I had this as a kid and loved it but never finished it. I also can’t remember how when or why I got it but glad I did.
Wait, you mean you can attack the corpses?
This was supposed to be a silent hill game
U shoulda played the remaster. It gives you alternate control schemes, including using a second analog stick.
Can you review Dementium 2
I want a review for moon and dementium 2 plsssssss
What? You didn't have 60 fps in Call of Duty Zombie mode on DS? I think your emulator is at fault. It doesn't look like a powerpoint presentation on my DSi at all. It's butter smooth.
Dementium Remaster was better with the enemies not respawn. Would be cool if you reviewed Remaster, 2 and 2 HD too, ngl.
I thought they would respawn in Nightmare mode only in the Remaster for those choosing that certain difficultly? (I am questioning since I didn't get the remaster because it was only for eShop and not for PC since I transferred to the PC and only have the NDS version and sequel not PC for reasons)
Also Remaster of Dementium hospital name was changed though don't know why and doesn't make sense since it's hugely connected to a huge spoil at the very end and if so would've change the whole series perspective.
Dementium II HD had couple of good ideas but other fans who played the DS kinda hated it do to lack of low polygons. New players hated for the controls being clunky, or rather I see it as some bosses movement speeds or scare factor lost the charm.
Dementium II had good immersive though I felt it had more replayability with the difficulty modes and arena. Though the scare factor is a bit low in the sequel do to not having respawns.
Actually the respawns were annoying but enjoyable for the losing ammunition.
Can't wait for dementium 2 video.
same
I am still disappointed by the ending of the sequel, I never understood if William was always fighting with monsters or he was hallucinating, differencing what is real or not.
I thought the cod ds games where actually kind of good
am pretty sure in the doctor boss fight if ushoot his glowing hands when ur getting pulled he lets u go
have you ever play nanashi no game? great one for the ds.
ooh never played it but definitely seen it before. Might have to check it out, looks very unique as a horror game
@@BunkerDweller you should try eat. It's a nice first person horror game for the ds that uses the double screen gimmick really well.
The lack of the plot in the game really made me lose interest in the game when it came out. One of the fastest mail backs to GameFly I ever made. It felt like the games entire reason for existing is “what if we made an m rated ds gsme?l and that’s it
Yeah I'd be curious as to what the development for this game was like, especially knowing it was pitched to Konami. Perhaps the reason there is no story is because it was a game built off a concept prototype
Also gamefly... shit what a blast from the past lmao
You should play Dementium 2 it’s way better
Dementium actually got a remake for the 3DS that tried to soften the bad backtracking by having enemies no longer respawn and a faster base movement speed for you. Still pretty much the same aside from the new models and textures.
Regardless, I’m looking forward to Dementium 2 (some) year. It’s an abject improvement over the original, even if the story is still kind of a mess. Just be warned that the PC version is SIGNIFICANTLY uglier than the DS original.
Please review core on ds
you are ignoring the fact DS's battery life and play sessions of a handheld; you won't be going through multiple chapters in one sitting on the intended platform.
My DS Lite could only fire 1.5 - 2 Hours on Mid Brightness
I js wanted to tell you tht the zombie things are called chestmaws
also, dementium 1 and 2 released before amnesia and outlast
its not a low draw distance, its just "fog"
We need a AAA-Game with the PSone/N64-Style Grafik
God could you imagine just how much content a studio could pack into a game with PS1 graphics but with the budget of a triple A game?
@@BunkerDweller more levels, more NPCs, more bosses, better enemy AI because the hardware doesn't have to focus on photo-realistic graphics & accordingly more power for other things. + And without photorealism, they would focus on one art style because then the game would stand out more.
I'm playing this game in a emulator im liking it so far but it has zombie slug they scream like little kid and are so annoying
Can you do Dementium 2 please 😬
Wouldn't want to play it, but it was a treat to watch. Judging by the sequel's 47% approval on Steam, they did something wrong again.
I've heard it's just the PC port which looks really weird with all the assets remade for HD, except done super lazily. Apparently the DS version is the way you want to play, but yeah idk
@@BunkerDweller I have a DS somewhere... but I'd rather watch your video than undust it.
the sequel is a ds game, the hd port on steam is 100 times worse than the gta trilogy "remaster"
@@BunkerDweller I have played both 1 and 2 on the dsi xl. It's actually better playing on the actual hardware, rather than the simulator.
Please make the review on dementium 2 bro- I will subscribe and put on notifications just to see it haha
dementium 2 is demntium 1, but better! more open levels, decent story & puzzles, lots of good backtracking too! its incredible how much people talk aobut the og dementium but almost never talk about the sequel!
you should play Dementium 2, much better in every way.
Let’s be Rea though, even if the game was immaculate it’d still be ragged on for being on the DS… no doubt about it… no exceptions
You shoot the doctors hands. Cant believe you didn't figure that out
If you liked this game I advise you to try Silent Hill: Shattered Memories from PS2
Well...guess what?
What
@@SomeBody-wx9pq Game got a new port.
You should cover Dementium 2, but not the PC version. It looks worse, and even, somehow, plays worse. Enemies are much dumber but they are also alerted to your presence as soon as you enter a room instead of... well you know, not? The art style is changed to something cartoony too... again, for some reason. I don't the cartoony art style was intentional, I'm pretty sure they were just lazy.
The 3ds remaster had dual circle pad compatibility and manual save points but doesn’t look as appealing, either way the sequels is better
Really disrespectful calling it a rip off of SH. If anything this was a major feat for being on an handheld and a solid first person survival horror
You lost your point for ignoring how it was based on a failed SH pitch in the first place, for saying "an handheld" and due to ignoring the level design and near complete lack of [cohesive] story.
I remember the first (only, if memory serves) article/feature it had in the old Nintendo Power magazine, and really wanting to try it. I'm glad I never did. . .😂
I recommend playing the second game's original version. Don't play the PC version. Much better than the first game otherwise.
Only slog is this video opinion denied
It's not actually a Rip off, they primarily worked on the game as an Official Silent Hill spin off but they have been axed after the prototype so they repurposed it as a indie horror game.
Watch the video
@Britishgas. wait seriously?
Every sources told me the contrary.
do you work for IGN? how the hell can you not figure out that you need to shoot the final boss's hands? they literally have white orbs around them. maybe do a little fact check before calling the game unfair when it's because you suck at recognizing game mechanics.
also, you are supposed to turn off your flash light when in the room with mosquitoes since mosquitoes are attracted to light, which is the opposite of the cockroaches which are afraid of light
What is the point of whole story if ending is just "nah actually it was all dream all along and your works were meaningless" ?
This game is pretty damn solid. Sure, it's not original, but a good game does not have to be.
I agree that the level design leaves a lot to be desired, namely in that it is repetitive. I would have liked more puzzles and more sections outside of the buildings. Still, I think the game does a good job with setting and creating tension.
As for plot, yes, it is...lacking. But, I personally don't turn to video games for captivating storylines. Even the games considered to have the "best" storylines are hackneyed and paint-by-number. If I want a good story, I turn to literature. In other words, it doesn't really bother me if a game lacks a good story.
And yea, for the final boss, you gotta shoot at his hands when he lifts you up.
I didn't really play video games at the time when games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill were very popular. Without that reference point, it's easier to appreciate the game (it appears).
The second installment is better in almost every way but prohibitively expensive.
Why is it a silent hill rip off?
The only bad in Dementium The Ward was the respawning enemies due to (spoilers) it's the protagonist mind not in real world until the sequel or maybe DS limitation
Well I already know that but name in the remaster changed William Redmoor to William Blackmoor. I don't know why?