Casual gamers of North America wouldn\'t think much when they hear the name Atlus, but for the hardcore gamers, the name means so much more. Atlus as some would know is one of the only sources of games seldom seen outside of Japan.
Games such as Riviera and Contact, Yggrasil Union and more recently Etrian Odyssey. While these games didn\'t score to high on the charts, they definitely stood out to most. Atlus once again brings us a wondrous piece of gaming, wrapped in a smock, and sanitized for out benefit!
Atlus has always been known to release nothing short of the strangest, or unique games...but when it came to releasing a medical game. It left many gamers giving their head a good scratch. It was quite fair that this very unique game found it\'s home on the Nintendo DS.
Without further ado, we\'ll get straight to the meat of this review.
Being an Atlus game, we can always expect nothing less then spectacular graphics, but i found that the surgery animations in the game a little less then riveting but with competition like the PSP out there, i think that Tramua Center does quite well in standin against it. Being an Atlus game, it\'s just natural to see very anime-esque looking graphics during storyline moments. Graphically this game is handled very well.
The game play is full 3D, and uses for the most part non textured models to keep everything moving at a smooth pace. When there are numerous lacerations and clouds of blood on the screen the frame rate will chug a bit, but this happened only once or twice for me in the entire game. Everything is clear and easy to see. While the ESRB has rated this game T with "partial nudity" as one of its listings, there are no nipples evident on any of the patients. If get your kicks from looking at unclothed mannequins, then you\'ll want to play this game in the privacy of your own home. And yes, this game has lots of blood. If you\'re squeamish you would be better avoiding it. You slice open flesh, cut out tumors, drain bloody wounds and suture up everything when it\'s all over. As stated before, the characters are drawn well, but are not animated. This doesn\'t hinder the experience of Trauma Center at all though, although some voice acting would have been awesome to have.
Our story starts out with a rookie surgeon named Derek Stiles. Like all new surgeons, he is still quite nervous when it comes to actually applying his medical knowledge. Constantly slipping up while giving his prognosis, he is often scolded by his fellow doctors and nurses. Like any good doctor though, Derek refuses to give up, and is determined to save each life he is handed.
As you can see, we follow our hero through the progression from amateur surgeon, to master, with many plot twists, and challenges, you\'ll not only find yourself engrossed by the gameplay, but the story as well. I docked points because, while the story is intersting, there is not much owness on it. Essentially, after each surgery, we are treated to a bit of story, and are then given and introduction to the next, and then briefed about the next patient. After learning about the story, and knowing what i had to do in the next surgery, and losing. I found it tedious to have to go through that entire portion of the story again. A skip function would be nice to have in later installments of this game.
Truly an engrossing experience to say the least; when I first bought the game, I was skeptical, I\'ll admit it, but less than five minutes in I found myself totally caught up in the drama.
You take the role as Derek Stiles, our novice surgeon, and have to perform various surgeries, on a wide variety of patients. From suturing wounds, to destroyed deadly viruses, you take the reigns in this intense medical drama.
How you ask? Simple, by using the stylus; from scalpel to IV needle, the stylus is your key to the patient\'s, and your survival. The top screen is devoted to your nurse, who will aid you as you perform the different operations by telling you what should be done, and notifying you when the patients vitals are dropping to low. The bottom screen is yours to work with. You\'re tools are displayed on the left and right sides of the screen the operating area is mostly done in the middle of the screen.
There\'s much that i can say about the sound for Trauma Center, it\'s very well done, and fits the atmosphere exactly. When the patients vitals drop, the music changes with them.
Outside the ER, the music changes to fit the mood, from light and bubbley, to intense and inticing. There\'s music meant for every moment.
After each mission is completed, you unlock a challenge stage from the main start menu. Where you can try and beat the original score you attained, while i use this first for practice, second for the scores, others might go crazy on trying to beat their old scores.
The true replay comes when you\'ve defeated the game, and the X-challenges are unlocked. I won\'t spoil anything, but these missions might as well be a game on their own. They introduce a new level of difficulty and even more new levels of fun.
Trauma Center: Under the Knife is a quirky game that should not be under estimated. While most missions can be finished under the five minute mark, don\'t let it fool you. This game will have you coming back for more time and time again.
If you\'re like me and love to play all the quirky games the DS has to offer, this is definatly not to be passed up. Atlus does an excellent job of delivering a solid game with an even more solid story, they took a chance by making a game based around surgery, but it\'s pulled off so very well.
"Trauma Center: Under the Knife (DS)" is on sale October 4, 2005 and is rated T. Sim.
