Roblox's latest horror sensation, Animal Hospital, plunges players into the role of a customer service representative tasked with treating patients, all while ensuring they aren't monstrous entities disguised as ordinary people. Survival hinges on identifying and counteracting a variety of Anomalies, ranging from spectral figures to grotesque transformations.
Understanding Animal Hospital Anomalies
The core gameplay loop involves greeting patients, fulfilling their needs, and crucially, detecting those who are not what they seem. These entities, referred to as Anomalies, can manifest in numerous unsettling ways. For gameplay purposes, Anomalies can be broadly categorized into two types: Hazard Anomalies, which appear as unavoidable events within the hospital, and Patient Anomalies, which are disguised as regular customers seeking treatment.
Proactive Anomaly Detection
To increase your chances of survival, especially at the reception desk, adopting a routine can be highly beneficial. Immediately after checking in a patient, stamp their details and take a photograph. While the photo develops, switch to the CCTV cameras to discreetly observe the patient. Compare the photographic evidence with your observations; if they don't match, the patient is likely an Anomaly. It is also advisable to keep essential items like a taser and coffee stocked in your inventory. This preparation allows for quicker responses to threats, such as a Skinwalker attacking a patient elsewhere in the facility, without the need to backtrack to reception.
Hazard Anomalies
These Anomalies present unavoidable challenges that can directly harm players or their patients. Players must react quickly to specific prompts and implement countermeasures to survive.
Flesh Ceiling
A grotesque mass of flesh and eyeballs may appear on the ceiling. Players will hear groaning and see saliva dripping from above, accompanied by a "don't look up" warning. Direct eye contact drains Sanity. The Anomaly departs once the patient in the room is treated and leaves.
Translucent Man
This Anomaly appears as a translucent figure that blends into the environment of a patient's room, identifiable by visible eyes and a moving body against the wall tiles. Staring at the eyes triggers a chase. The Anomaly dissipates upon returning to the lobby.
Skinwalker
A monster that disguises itself as a patient, often identifiable by heavy breathing or a duplicate of a previously seen patient moving through the hospital. An alert will warn players of a Skinwalker attacking a patient, requiring them to intervene before a time limit expires. Neutralization can be achieved with a taser or by forcefully dislodging it with the "E" key. Direct attacks require rapid button mashing.
Monster Under The Bed
A shadowy entity with red eyes and large hands lurks beneath patient beds. A red line indicates a danger zone, and prolonged exposure causes damage. Players can avoid this by hopping over the bed. The monster leaves after the patient is treated.
The Stalker
This Anomaly manifests as a giant, shadowy bunny that peeks around corners. While making eye contact results in a loss of 10 Sanity, it is not typically lethal.
Demon Cat Jumpscare
Visible only through surveillance cameras, a demonic cat with glowing red eyes may appear at the end of a hallway, triggering a jumpscare and a loss of 20 Sanity. This can only be avoided by not using the cameras.
Death Ritual
A patient floats above their bed, surrounded by candles and red light, often signaled by ominous sounds and a prompt. Players must remove all candles to end the ritual, but each removal depletes Sanity.
The Head Knocker
This Anomaly appears as a patient with hollowed-out eyes who repeatedly bashes their head against a window near the reception desk. Closing the shutter while the entity is preparing to strike will cause it to leave.
Tendril Surgery
During surgery, purple tendrils may sprout from the patient. Proceeding with the surgery as normal will vanquish the tendrils upon completion of the mini-game.
Slime
Bright green slime appears on the floor, a byproduct of a leaking patient. Players must interact with each glob to clean it up.
Fire
Patient rooms can spontaneously catch fire. Players must use a fire extinguisher found near the shop to extinguish the flames.
Patient Anomalies
These Anomalies are encountered at the reception desk during patient check-in. Many of these threats can be neutralized by simply closing the reception shutter.
Limb Spasms
A patient exhibiting unnatural limb movements and neck contortions. Closing the shutter is the recommended action.
Limb Stretching
Appears normal until viewed through surveillance cameras, revealing limbs that are stretched or detached. Closing the shutter is effective.
Three Eyes
A patient with three glowing red eyes approaches the desk. Closing the shutter will resolve this.
Camera Watcher
This patient makes direct eye contact with the surveillance camera. Closing the shutter is the advised response.
Shadow Patient
When viewed through cameras, this regular-looking patient transforms into a shadow. Closing the shutter will deal with this Anomaly.
Poorly Drawn Patient
Features misproportioned, hand-drawn eyes and a large, crooked mouth. Closing the shutter is the solution.
Big Teeth
A patient with beady eyes and clenched teeth, appearing unnatural. Closing the shutter is recommended.
Hollow Patient
Characterized by hollow eyes and a blank expression. Closing the shutter will neutralize this threat.
JPEG Eyes
This patient appears normal but, when viewed on camera, displays a JPEG image of white eyes on a black background. Closing the shutter is the remedy.
Skinwalker at Reception
A regular patient who, on camera, reveals a large mouth with big teeth and stares directly at the viewer. Closing the shutter is effective.
Photo Evidence
This Anomaly category involves a discrepancy between the patient and their photograph. If the polaroid taken during check-in shows a different, horrifying visage, the patient is an Anomaly. Closing the shutter is the method of removal.