Play Life & Death Online

Life & Death is a healthcare simulation game released for MS-DOS in 1988. Developed and published by The Software Toolworks, Inc., the game presents a first-person perspective where the player assumes the role of a doctor working in a hospital environment.

In the game, the player is responsible for diagnosing and treating patients who present with abdominal complaints. The diagnostic process involves interacting with a diagram of a patient's abdomen to identify areas that cause pain. Based on this initial examination, the player can choose to prescribe observation, medication, or a referral, or they can order further tests like X-rays or ultrasound scans to gather more information. The core gameplay loop revolves around making these clinical decisions to determine the correct course of action for each case.

When a condition requires surgical intervention, the game shifts to an operation sequence. Here, the player must perform procedures step by step, with an emphasis on following correct medical protocol, maintaining sterile conditions, and executing precise actions with surgical tools. If a patient receives an incorrect treatment or dies during surgery, the game presents a tutorial segment set in a medical school, which outlines the errors made before allowing the player to continue their practice.