{{short description|2007 video game}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox video game | title = Dementium: The Ward | image = Dementium.jpg | developer = Renegade Kid<br>Atooi (Switch, PS) | publisher = '''Nintendo DS'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|Gamecock Media Group|EU|SouthPeak Games}}'''Nintendo 3DS'''<br />Renegade Kid<ref name="NLcitesRKasPublisher">{{cite web |first=Damien |last=McFerran |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/09/renegade_kid_now_in_a_position_to_produce_more_dementium_games |title=Renegade Kid Now In A Position To Produce More Dementium Games |website=Nintendo Life |date=September 17, 2014 |accessdate=December 15, 2014}}</ref><br>'''Switch, PS4, PS5, Windows'''<br>Atooi{{cn|date=September 2025}} | director = Jools Watsham | designer = Jools Watsham | composer = Jools Watsham<br />Gareth Vilday | artist = Gregg Hargrove | programmer = Bob Ives | engine = | released = '''Nintendo DS'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|October 31, 2007<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bozon |first=Mark |date=2007-10-26 |title=Dementium: The Ward - Director Diary |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/26/dementium-the-ward-director-diary-3 |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>|EU|April 17, 2009<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Tom |last=East |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/7894/competitionswin-dsi-and-dementium/ |title=Win! DSi and Dementium |magazine=Official Nintendo Magazine |date=April 9, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314100432/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/7894/competitionswin-dsi-and-dementium/ |archivedate=March 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref>}}'''Nintendo 3DS'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|December 3, 2015{{cn|date=September 2025}}|EU|February 11, 2016{{cn|date=September 2025}}}}'''Nintendo Switch'''{{vgrelease|WW|October 12, 2023}}'''PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5'''{{vgrelease|WW|April 19, 2024}}'''Windows'''{{vgrelease|WW|October 27, 2025}} | genre = Survival horror, first-person shooter | modes = Single-player | platforms = Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows }}
'''''Dementium: The Ward''''' is a survival horror first-person shooter video game developed by Renegade Kid for the Nintendo DS. The game was released in North America on October 31, 2007, published by Gamecock Media Group. After Renegade Kid gained back the rights to the title, an enhanced version of the game was announced under the title of '''''Dementium Remastered''''' for the Nintendo 3DS. The remastered version was released in North America on December 3, 2015, and Europe on February 11, 2016, with the company's successor Atooi developing remasters for additional platforms.
==Gameplay== In ''Dementium: The Ward'', the player takes the role of William Redmoor, a man with amnesia, and has to venture through a hospital's rooms and hallways in order to find the exit and escape the establishment. The game uses a first-person view. In order to advance in the game, the player has to resolve puzzles and defeat monsters. At the beginning, William only has access to a nightstick that he can use to defend himself against enemies in addition to a flashlight. As the game progresses, he finds more weapons, such as a revolver.<ref name="IGNreview"/> The console's touch screen is used to move the character's vision, to change weapons and to interact with some nearby elements. It also displays the health bar and can show a map or the player's inventory.<ref>{{cite web |author=Logan |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00011113-dementium-l-asile-test.htm |title=Test du jeu Dementium : L'Asile sur DS |trans-title=Review of the game Dementium: The Ward on DS |language=french |publisher=Jeuxvideo.com |date=July 3, 2009 |accessdate=October 2, 2018}}</ref> In addition, the player is also equipped with a notebook in which they can jot down clues with the stylus.
==Plot== The protagonist, William Redmoor, wakes up in a medical ward with amnesia. Equipped with a flashlight, he discovers that the hospital he is in is abandoned and crawling with unspeakable creatures. As he makes his descent from the seventh floor, Redmoor collects more weapons in his effort to make progress.
Throughout the game, Redmoor discovers newspaper clippings and staff notes about a man who brutally murdered his wife, and that authorities believe that Redmoor is the killer. He also sees visions of his daughter Amanda running in the corridor as well as a man dressed in black who calls himself 'The Doctor.'
After battling his way through the derelict hospital, Redmoor encounters the Doctor in the basement, who possesses supernatural powers. Defeating him triggers an ending where Redmoor is seen reuniting with his wife and child in a well lit room. However, this appears to be only a dream as it immediately cuts to a scene where Redmoor is being lobotomised by the Doctor. The Doctor then concludes that the patient has successfully completed phase 1 and is now ready for phase 2.
==Development== The first game to be developed by Renegade Kid, a studio formed from Iguana Entertainment alumni, ''Dementium: The Ward'' was originally planned as a ''Silent Hill'' game for the Nintendo DS. In meetings with multiple publishers, Konami turned down their pitch, causing the team to create an original game instead when Gamecock agreed to publish the game.<ref>{{cite web |first=Evan |last=Campbell |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/27/dementium-the-ward-was-pitched-to-konami-as-a-silent-hill-ds-game |title=Dementium: The Ward Was Pitched to Konami as a Silent Hill DS Game |website=IGN |date=April 27, 2015 |accessdate=April 28, 2015}}</ref>
Renegade Kid developed a Nintendo 3DS remaster to fix problems with the original release. After the company was closed on 2016, the intellectual property of the game was acquired by Gregg Hargrove's studio Infitizmo, with Jools Watsham's studio Atooi acquiring the intellectual property after Hargrove's death from pancreatic cancer in 2018. Atooi developed remasters of the game for modern consoles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Ollie |date=2023-09-30 |title="We Wouldn’t Give The Silent Hill IP To A Team Like Yours" - Dementium: The Ward's Origins And Switch Return |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/features/we-wouldnrt-give-the-silent-hill-ip-to-a-team-like-yours-dementium-the-wards-origins-and-switch-return |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | 3DS = true | DS = true | na = true | Destruct_3DS = 1/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Jed |last=Whitaker |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-dementium-remastered-323292.phtml |title=Review: Dementium Remastered |website=Destructoid |date=December 2, 2015 |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | Destruct_DS = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Colette |last=Bennett |url=https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-dementium-the-ward-51798.phtml |title=Destructoid review: Dementium: The Ward |website=Destructoid |date=October 31, 2007 |accessdate=April 27, 2017 |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513180946/https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-dementium-the-ward-51798.phtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> | Edge_DS = 5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Dementium: The Ward |magazine=Edge |issue=188 |date=May 2008 |page=99}}</ref> | EuroG_DS = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Kristan |last=Reed |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/dementium-the-ward-review |title=Dementium: The Ward |website=Eurogamer |date=April 10, 2009 |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | Fam_DS = 30/40{{cn|date=September 2025}} | GI_DS = 5.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Bryan |last=Vore |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/698E43FD-CF99-4F3A-BA26-89DF2D11D225.htm |title=Dementium: The Ward |magazine=Game Informer |issue=176 |date=December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109213410/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/698E43FD-CF99-4F3A-BA26-89DF2D11D225.htm |archive-date=January 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | GamePro_DS = 4/5<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Todd |last=Melick |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/144628.shtml |title=Review: Dementium: The Ward |magazine=GamePro |date=December 17, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104022246/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/144628.shtml |archivedate=January 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | GameRev_DS = C+<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Hudak |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/39418-dementium-the-ward-review |title=Dementium: The Ward Review |publisher=Game Revolution |date=November 19, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910182853/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/dementium-the-ward |archivedate=September 10, 2015 |url-status=live |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | GSpot_DS = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Lark |last=Anderson |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dementium-the-ward-review/1900-6182411/ |title=Dementium: The Ward Review |website=GameSpot |date=November 6, 2007 |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | GSpy_DS = 3.5/5<ref>{{cite web |first=Cameron |last=Lewis |url=http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/the-ward/832793p1.html|title=GameSpy: Dementium: The Ward |publisher=GameSpy |date=November 5, 2007 |accessdate=January 4, 2008}}</ref> | IGN_DS = 8/10<ref name="IGNreview">{{cite web |first=Craig |last=Harris |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/31/dementium-the-ward-review |title=Dementium: The Ward Review |website=IGN |date=October 31, 2007 |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | NLife_3DS = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Joel |last=Couture |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/dementium_remastered |title=Review: Dementium Remastered |website=Nintendo Life |date=November 29, 2015 |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | NLife_DS = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Paul |last=Schreiner |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/07/dementium_the_ward_ds |title=Review: Dementium: The Ward |website=Nintendo Life |date=July 12, 2009 |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | NP_DS = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Dementium: The Ward |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=223 |date=December 25, 2007 |page=84}}</ref> | NWR_3DS = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Zachary |last=Miller |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewmini/41592/dementium-remastered-3ds-eshop-review |title=Dementium Remastered (3DS 3Shop) Review |publisher=Nintendo World Report |date=December 2, 2015 |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | NWR_DS = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Zachary |last=Miller |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/15139/dementium-the-ward-nintendo-ds |title=Dementium: The Ward |publisher=Nintendo World Report |date=January 17, 2008 |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | rev1 = 411Mania | rev1_DS = 8.4/10<ref>{{cite web |first=Ramon |last=Aranda |url=http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/63660 |title=Dementium: The Ward (DS) Review |publisher=411Mania |date=November 20, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121153906/http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/63660 |archivedate=November 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | rev2 = ''The A.V. Club'' | rev2_DS = B<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Dahlen |url=https://www.avclub.com/dementium-the-ward-1798212742 |title=Dementium: The Ward |newspaper=The A.V. Club |date=November 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115131004/http://www.avclub.com/content/games/dementium_the_ward |archive-date=November 15, 2007 |url-status=live |access-date=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | MC_3DS = 57/100<ref name="MC3DS">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dementium-remastered/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=Dementium Remastered for 3DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | MC_DS = 72/100<ref name="MCDS">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dementium-the-ward/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |title=Dementium: The Ward for DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> | award1Pub = ''IGN'' | award1 = Best First-Person Shooter<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2007/ds/4.html |title=Best of 2007 (Best First Person Shooter) |website=IGN |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105200253/http://bestof.ign.com/2007/ds/4.html |archivedate=January 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |accessdate=January 4, 2008}}</ref> | award2Pub = ''IGN'' | award2 = Best Graphics Technology<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2007/ds/12.html |title=Best of 2007 (Best Graphics Technology) |website=IGN |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104163550/http://bestof.ign.com/2007/ds/12.html |archivedate=January 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |accessdate=January 4, 2008}}</ref> }}
''Dementium'' and ''Dementium Remastered'' received "mixed or average reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.<ref name="MC3DS" /><ref name="MCDS" />
Craig Harris of ''IGN'' said that the visuals were "outstanding: the lighting effects and texture work in ''Dementium: The Ward'' are pretty special when you consider the Nintendo DS' capabilities." He also noted "the flashlight effect might not match what other developers have done on more powerful systems" but "it's a believable technique that's pulled off better than anything seen on same-level hardware."<ref name="IGNreview" /> Pete Sellers of Deeko was more positive, commenting on the DS version's many pros and few cons in a parody of ''The Raven'' by Edgar Allan Poe: "Visually, ''Dementium''{{'}}s divine and every facet is designed / To create a sense of ambience that offers frights galore. ... / If you've the guts to enduring gaming in which you do lots of playing / All the while softly praying, preying on some churlish horde, / Go out and buy this game now quickly! Preying on churlish horde / Within ''Dementium: The Ward''!"<ref>{{cite web |first=Pete |last=Sellers |url=http://www.deeko.com/nintendo_ds/reviewDetail.asp?id=924 |title=Dementium: The Ward - Review |publisher=Deeko |date=November 6, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109163955/http://www.deeko.com/nintendo_ds/reviewDetail.asp?id=924 |archivedate=November 9, 2007 |url-status=dead |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref> The DS version was criticized most prominently for its short length and lack of replayability; but also for its save system, and that most of the in-game enemies respawn on revisit, leaving a player short on items and ammunition and discouraging exploration.
In Japan, where the DS version was ported and published by Interchannel-Holon on June 26, 2008,{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} ''Famitsu'' gave it a score of two eights, one six, and one eight, for a total of 30 out of 40.{{cn|date=September 2025}} On September 22, 2008, the Japanese Association of Psychiatric Hospitals published a protest against the DS version,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nisseikyo.or.jp/home/about/05teigen/2008/2008_12.html |title=Letter of Protest |publisher=Japanese Association of Psychiatric Hospitals |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008001727/http://www.nisseikyo.or.jp/home/about/05teigen/2008/2008_12.html |archivedate=October 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |accessdate=October 5, 2008}}</ref> asking it to be taken off the shelves because "the game uses the tradition of psychiatry in name but uses imagery of attacking patients".<ref>{{cite web |first=Blake |last=Ellison |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/55040/japan-psychiatric-association-wants-survival |title=Japan Psychiatric Association Wants Survival Horror DS Game Pulled |publisher=Shacknews |date=October 1, 2008 |accessdate=April 27, 2017}}</ref>
The DS version sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sophie |last=Prell |url=http://penny-arcade.com/report/editorial-article/the-3ds-has-been-hacked-homebrew-and-piracy-are-looming-is-this-good-or-bad |title=Hackers claim to have gained entry to the 3DS - developers sound off on possible homebrew and piracy |publisher=Penny Arcade |date=January 3, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106013059/http://penny-arcade.com/report/editorial-article/the-3ds-has-been-hacked-homebrew-and-piracy-are-looming-is-this-good-or-bad |archivedate=January 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |accessdate=January 3, 2013}}</ref>
{{clear}}
== Legacy == Following the release of the sequel ''Dementium II'', Renegade Kid lost the rights to the intellectual property due to licensing agreements with the publisher. The studio created a spiritual successor, ''Cult County'', which it attempted to fund through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Matulef |first1=Jeffrey |title=Renegade Kid launches Kickstarter for survival horror game Cult County |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-04-02-renegade-kid-launches-kickstarter-for-survival-horror-game-cult-county |newspaper=Eurogamer.net |date=2 April 2014 |access-date=16 September 2021}}</ref> The campaign, started in 2014, failed to meet its funding goal of US$580,000.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Burleson |first1=Kyle |title=Renegade Kid's Cult County Kickstarter project fails |url=https://www.destructoid.com/renegade-kids-cult-county-kickstarter-project-fails/ |website=Destructoid |date=3 May 2014 |access-date=16 September 2021}}</ref>
Renegade Kid regained the rights to ''Dementium'' in September 2014.<ref name="NLcitesRKasPublisher" /> The studio released a remaster of the game, ''Dementium Remastered'', in 2015 with enhancements including checkpoints and improved graphics.<ref name="NLcites3DS&D3">{{cite web|first=Damien|last=McFerran|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/12/renegade_kid_is_bringing_survival_horror_title_dementium_to_the_nintendo_3ds |title=Renegade Kid Is Bringing Survival Horror Title Dementium To The Nintendo 3DS |website=Nintendo Life |date=December 15, 2014 |accessdate=December 15, 2014}}</ref> Watsham later announced a remaster of ''Dementium II'' as well as the third entry in the series.<ref name="NLcites3DS&D3" /> When Renegade Kid was dissolved in 2016, co-founder Gregg Hargrove retained the rights under his company Infitizmo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watsham |first1=Jools |title=Unfortunately, that is very unlikely as Atooi does not own the rights to either game. |url=https://twitter.com/JoolsWatsham/status/1352997955586945026 |website=Twitter}}</ref> Hargrove died from pancreatic cancer in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watsham |first1=Jools |title=It saddens me to share the news that we have lost a great friend. Gregg Hargrove passed away yesterday after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. The world is a better place because Gregg was in it. I will miss him dearly and cherish our friendship. |url=https://twitter.com/joolswatsham/status/1042056762906566656?lang=en |website=Twitter |access-date=13 September 2021}}</ref> In April 2023, Watsham tweeted that his company Atooi had retained the rights to ''Dementium'', hinting of potential sequels and ports.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watsham |first1=Jools |title=I am ecstatic to announce that AtooiLLC now has the rights to create Dementium sequels (and ports)! EXCITE!! |url=https://twitter.com/JoolsWatsham/status/1650317105789652992 |website=Twitter |access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref> On September 28, Atooi announced a port for the Nintendo Switch and it will be released on October 12 the same year,{{cn|date=September 2025}} with versions for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 releasing the following year on April 19, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferdinand |first=Pam K. |date=April 18, 2024 |title=Classic Nintendo DS Horror Game Coming Soon to PS4 and PS5 |url=https://gamerant.com/dementium-the-ward-nintendo-ds-horror-game-ps4-ps5-version |access-date=April 21, 2024 |website=Game Rant}}</ref> On October 25, 2025, Atooi released a Windows version on Steam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Save 40% on Dementium: The Ward on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3909960/Dementium_The_Ward/ |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{moby game|id=/nintendo-ds/dementium-the-ward}}
Category:2007 video games Category:2000s horror video games Category:First-person shooters Category:Gamecock Media Group games Category:Interchannel games Category:Nintendo DS games Category:Nintendo 3DS eShop games Category:Nintendo 3DS games Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:PlayStation 4 games Category:PlayStation 5 games Category:Renegade Kid games Category:Single-player video games Category:SouthPeak Games Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:Video games set in psychiatric hospitals