Trauma Center: Under the Knife is one of those games that slides under the radar but is a joy for people that find it.
Story:
Derek Stiles, a hot-headed, fresh-out-of med school surgeon has just started at the hope hospital in the fictional city of Angeles Bay. His new found job takes him through minor surgeries such as lacerations, but then as the game progresses he finds himself excising tumors and clearing throat polyps. As you delve even further, you find yourself fighting a new found bio-terror called GUILT with your mysterious power, the Healing Touch. Overall, the story appeals to me as very melodramatic. I often found myself deeply involved in the story, yet I knew that it was just a load of crap. But overall, the story really appealed to me.
raphics:
The top screen is used for dialogue, character portraits, and so on, and usually stays strictly 2D. The graphics up there are razor-sharp, though, and the backgrounds are often incredibly photorealistic. You won't see a lot of animation up top, but that's done on purpose; you don't want to be distracted from the real action on the lower screen. But on the lower screen is where everything happens. You’ll utilize the highest technological advances to successfully complete the surgery, such as lasers and new-found antibiotics. The graphics on the lower screen are impressive, with patients body parts represented in full fledged 3D. There’s not usually too much detail, because of the DS’ low-end graphical capabilities.
Sound:
The sound you’d expect to have in a surgery game would most likely be EKG blips and heart-rate monitors right? If yes, you’d be right. There’s not really much more sounds you can put in this kind of game. But the music in the game suits the game perfectly. Dramatic piano sequences and techno dirges take the stage here, as they really rally up the tension during suspenseful operations. But, I was really disappointed to see that there was a lack of voiceovers in the game. The dialogue is good, but I’d much rather listen to it then hear it. Nevertheless, we are dealing with the DS here, which isn’t really the pinnacle of technology itself.
Gameplay:
The gameplay in Trauma Center is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. It’s essentially a cross between a daytime soap-opera and the game Operation. Perhaps one of the most intriguing factors about Trauma Center is the actual pressure that Atlus has recreated. Through the entire game, I felt like I was a real doctor, saving real patients. The game really does offer a fun experience, but sometimes, it can be extremely frustrating to take at once. Towards the end of the game, the operations get ridiculously hard, and the player will have to be fast, precise, and very alert. This is really the worst point of the entire game, and it will discourage the player and make he or she not want to progress any further. It’s expected to happen though, considering the operations get so repetitive and making them more difficult is the only way to offer some kind of change of pace.
Conclusion:
Trauma Center is a great game. I have no interest in the medical field and still had a blast playing through it. The learning curve seemed a bit steep at first. I was like, “Wait a minute, what was I supposed to do after I…oh yeah!” and that gives the game more of a realistic feel to it I think. The game sucked me in and made me feel like these patients’ lives really depended on me. The anime characters and conversation between characters creates a great atmosphere and brings the story together quite well. If you’re looking for a truly unique game on the Nintendo DS that is not only fun, but also exhilarating to play, be sure to pick up Trauma Center. It’s well worth your money.