great
The breakthrough game was preceeded by Trauma Center: Second Opinion. In this game, we got a new 6th chapter, a new character, improved controls and graphics, and we learned our hero, Derek Stiles, could talk. Even though it was the same game, it was just as entertaining, if not more, pushing the Wii to it's capabilities.
Now, we have Trauma Center: New Blood we follow the story of two new doctors, Markus Vaugh and Valerie Blaylock. Markus and Val are already accomplished surgeons who are just striving to reach the top of their career. But, there are some road bumps along their career. The game starts out fairly simple. You start by reconstructing bones, extracting tumors, and saving nuns who were crushed by collapsing churches. However, each doctor has the "Healing Touch" which helps them overcome some difficulties in surgeries. Mark's Healing Touch slows down time, while Val's prevents the patient's vitals from falling. Early on in the game, you encoutner a new disease called Stigma, like the previous installments' GUILT. There are numerous strains that require different treamtments. This disease takes you to many locations and hospitals in order to knock it out once and for all.
That's all I'll say about the story. I really don't want to spoil much more, especially one huge secret that players of the previous installemnts will be very happy about.
The game plays very well. There are a vast array of surgeries to go through. Unlike the previous installments, there are many more life like surgeries instead of focusing all of out energy on the terrorist disease. You are doing skin grafts in one operation, and appendectomies in another. There is just a great variety this time around. The controls are tight as they've always been and the surgeries are just tons of fun to perform. And the directions from the nurse/s are fine. The reason why the big time reviewers can't get their way through an operation is because they're too good for text and hit the skip button. I'll grant that there are one or two operations with rough directions. Other than that, the instructions are fine, and the game is just loads of fun. I can't judge co-op, because I haven't done it, and I'm the only one who's halfway decent at video games in my house. But it does seem entertaining. Occasionally the game mixes it up by making you unlock a toy lock so that you don't drown. Whoops. I didn't say that. wink The game plays just as well if not better than under the knife and second opinion.
The sound and graphics are nice too. They're not stunning, but they're good. The best graphics are during the cut scenes where the characters and backgrounds have beautiful detail and texturing. More motion from the characters would be nice, and maybe a few organs could be more realistic. There is an interesting soundtrack with some remixed tunes from UtK and SO and it's own new operation songs and cut scene tunes. Also, there is some nice voice over work. Your nurse's voice makes you want to slap her across the face at times, and sometimes characters are emotionless, but for the most part, there is some nice voice over. The graphics and sounds are overall successful.
Presentation is crisp and clean. The open cinematic has the feel of House, and that whole thing just made me laugh because the relevance is just so strong. Other than that, there are simple menus with a nice look and feel. With the occasional glitch where the A button doesn't respond, the presentation is very nice. Oh. The box art just flat out sucks. Sorry Atlus. You can do better, and you have done better. Lastly, replay value. There are three levels of difficulty. Hard, Super Hard, Incredibly Hard, and you've gotta be kidding me. Oh. Sorry. I mean easy, hard, and medium. The difficulty drives you to keep playing and it's so much fun, you'll want to go through the game numerous times. There are also challenge missions which are extremely tough and intense, that any player will get a kick out of.
Overall, this game is amazing, no surprise to me. I had palpatations when this game was announced, out of excitement. I'm pleased to say that the game delivers in every aspect. The WFC ranking are an interesting addition too, to keep you pulling for the top spot. This game is not gross, so don't worry. An absolute must buy for any Wii owner. Don't wait for Christmas, or whatever you celebrate. Get it now, love it, hug it, use it as a teddy bear when you go to sleep. Easily one of the top three Wii games so far. An absolutely incredible achievement. Fantastic job Atlus.