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"Trauma Centre Second Opinion (Wii)"

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This thread has been linked to the game 'Trauma Center: Second Opinion'.
Sat 18/08/07 at 17:02
Regular
"Ghosts Can't Die!"
Posts: 774
A game where you can operate on people? How will it work? Surely it can’t be? Fans of the DS game will already know this has been a long time coming. With both Japan and the US receiving Second Opinion on release of the Wii it looked like Europe were never going to see it with dates being pushed back again and again. Finally though Atlus and Nintendo have pulled their finger out and launched a great surgeon game.

You play as Dr. Stiles, a young surgeon learning the ropes at Hope Hospital. He starts out as a slacking, laid back youngster not concentrating when he should and generally not giving it 100%. However as soon as you grab the scalpel and start operating on patients, Dr. Stiles turns everything around. Later you discover you can slow down time with your mind and are snapped up by a research company where you learn of a new strain of virus called GUILT. It’s now your job to eliminate every form of the virus thrown your way. The game plays out in episode form with new twists and turns around every corner much like a soap. It all plays out without voiceovers and in still image form which may seem a little dated but its fine. It’s very over the top but in a good way.

Obviously this isn’t a realistic game and focuses more on a “quick as you can” approach. Points are thrown at you for successfully completing procedures and the more points the better your final ranking. With a time limit in one corner and a vital display in the other (either of which hit zero and you lose the patient) you will perform a variety of operations. What is great is how much they range and differ. You’ll start off extraction glass and stiching lacerations but later be required to transfer a kidney and eliminate differing strains of GUILT. And that’s what a majority of the game is about. Eliminating GUILT. These are evil man-made viruses that turn the body against itself, each having its own characteristics and weak points in which you must exploit. Throw in some interesting twists such as using a camera flash for light and you have a fairly varied game.

The way the game controls is so original with the nunchuck acting as your tool selector (move the analogue left for the scalpel, up for antibiotic gel and so on) and the remote as the actual tool selected. How each one works varies slightly with scalpels, gels, injections and stitches simply a matter of point and click but forceps actually involving squeezing both A and B button. The defibrillator also deserves a mention as flat lining patients will need this to restore their heartbeat. Simply use both the nunchuck and remote as handles and move them forward pressing Z and B at the correct times to shock the patient.

There are a few disappointing things about Second Opinion but none to upset you too much. For one the only thing on offer here is the single player mode. You can repeat any operation to best your scores but that’s it. No multiplayer or online mode. Not even online ranking. It’s a shame as competitive or cooperative surgery would be extremely fun. Owners of the DS version will also notice that not much has changed here. Sure you have the new controls, a few missions and a new defibrillator but that’s about it. What is there is great but a bit more would have been nice to tempt DS owners slightly. If you’re keen for a challenge you’ve found it but it can be a little daunting at times, even more so for younger gamers.

Second Opinion isn’t going to win any awards for its looks but what you have is clear and bold and works well enough. Considering the game is based around an operating room you’d expect it to be fairly gory and bloody however Atlus have created a very tame and stylish looking title. There isn’t too much blood and you won’t really find anything to make your stomach turn. As for the music it’s okay. The tunes that play during cutscenes are cheesy but suit the whole soap-like storyline and I have to admit the music during operations does build tension and a sense of danger.

The game consists of around fifty or so operations so which will take a fair while on easy alone. Then if you’re up to the challenge you can replay everything on medium or hard difficulty. And challenge may be an understatement as even on medium the game is unbelievably hard. Throw in a ranking system where you are graded for your performance and you have a pretty lengthy game.

Oddly enough Trauma Centre Second Opinion is just as fun to watch as it is to play. Getting a few friends round (two of which hate gaming) we took it in turns to play each operation. Even when failing they all loved it and even more impressive, they enjoyed the storyline. Even though it is a shame there’s no multiplayer, competing for a high score or simply playing and watching one another is still great fun. This is definitely a game to impress those non gamers.

The Wii has offered a game that simply can’t be done on Microsoft’s or Sony’s console with its immersive controls and unique gameplay. It took its time to get over to Europe but it was well worth the wait. A great game that will tide you over till Mario and Samus.

82%
Thu 23/08/07 at 18:03
Regular
""none""
Posts: 320
It's good on the DS, but sucks on the Wii. It's just a tacked-on port.
Sat 18/08/07 at 17:02
Regular
"Ghosts Can't Die!"
Posts: 774
A game where you can operate on people? How will it work? Surely it can’t be? Fans of the DS game will already know this has been a long time coming. With both Japan and the US receiving Second Opinion on release of the Wii it looked like Europe were never going to see it with dates being pushed back again and again. Finally though Atlus and Nintendo have pulled their finger out and launched a great surgeon game.

You play as Dr. Stiles, a young surgeon learning the ropes at Hope Hospital. He starts out as a slacking, laid back youngster not concentrating when he should and generally not giving it 100%. However as soon as you grab the scalpel and start operating on patients, Dr. Stiles turns everything around. Later you discover you can slow down time with your mind and are snapped up by a research company where you learn of a new strain of virus called GUILT. It’s now your job to eliminate every form of the virus thrown your way. The game plays out in episode form with new twists and turns around every corner much like a soap. It all plays out without voiceovers and in still image form which may seem a little dated but its fine. It’s very over the top but in a good way.

Obviously this isn’t a realistic game and focuses more on a “quick as you can” approach. Points are thrown at you for successfully completing procedures and the more points the better your final ranking. With a time limit in one corner and a vital display in the other (either of which hit zero and you lose the patient) you will perform a variety of operations. What is great is how much they range and differ. You’ll start off extraction glass and stiching lacerations but later be required to transfer a kidney and eliminate differing strains of GUILT. And that’s what a majority of the game is about. Eliminating GUILT. These are evil man-made viruses that turn the body against itself, each having its own characteristics and weak points in which you must exploit. Throw in some interesting twists such as using a camera flash for light and you have a fairly varied game.

The way the game controls is so original with the nunchuck acting as your tool selector (move the analogue left for the scalpel, up for antibiotic gel and so on) and the remote as the actual tool selected. How each one works varies slightly with scalpels, gels, injections and stitches simply a matter of point and click but forceps actually involving squeezing both A and B button. The defibrillator also deserves a mention as flat lining patients will need this to restore their heartbeat. Simply use both the nunchuck and remote as handles and move them forward pressing Z and B at the correct times to shock the patient.

There are a few disappointing things about Second Opinion but none to upset you too much. For one the only thing on offer here is the single player mode. You can repeat any operation to best your scores but that’s it. No multiplayer or online mode. Not even online ranking. It’s a shame as competitive or cooperative surgery would be extremely fun. Owners of the DS version will also notice that not much has changed here. Sure you have the new controls, a few missions and a new defibrillator but that’s about it. What is there is great but a bit more would have been nice to tempt DS owners slightly. If you’re keen for a challenge you’ve found it but it can be a little daunting at times, even more so for younger gamers.

Second Opinion isn’t going to win any awards for its looks but what you have is clear and bold and works well enough. Considering the game is based around an operating room you’d expect it to be fairly gory and bloody however Atlus have created a very tame and stylish looking title. There isn’t too much blood and you won’t really find anything to make your stomach turn. As for the music it’s okay. The tunes that play during cutscenes are cheesy but suit the whole soap-like storyline and I have to admit the music during operations does build tension and a sense of danger.

The game consists of around fifty or so operations so which will take a fair while on easy alone. Then if you’re up to the challenge you can replay everything on medium or hard difficulty. And challenge may be an understatement as even on medium the game is unbelievably hard. Throw in a ranking system where you are graded for your performance and you have a pretty lengthy game.

Oddly enough Trauma Centre Second Opinion is just as fun to watch as it is to play. Getting a few friends round (two of which hate gaming) we took it in turns to play each operation. Even when failing they all loved it and even more impressive, they enjoyed the storyline. Even though it is a shame there’s no multiplayer, competing for a high score or simply playing and watching one another is still great fun. This is definitely a game to impress those non gamers.

The Wii has offered a game that simply can’t be done on Microsoft’s or Sony’s console with its immersive controls and unique gameplay. It took its time to get over to Europe but it was well worth the wait. A great game that will tide you over till Mario and Samus.

82%

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