Published by: Atlus Software
Developed by: Atlus Software
Genre: Simulation
Rated: T (Teen)
Release Date: October 4, 2005
Written by: Zach2387







Trauma Center...Trauma Center...A very ingenious idea to say the least. The title says it all; you are a new doctor in Hope Hospital, straight out of your residency. Wow...I just read the Prologue to this bad boy and apparently, there is some new biological disease striking called GUILT...hmm....hmm....Well, I must not be that far yet, but that is besides the point. The point is, you are a new doctor and must treat several patients in multiple surgeries. And trust me, it is no cake walk; this is some difficult stuff. Now, allow me to give you a synopsis of the situation so you can understand what you're dealing with here. Please, wash your hands and put on your scrubs. *I know...it was lame, but I had to.*

The look and feel of Trauma Center is what really encompasses the player into the experience, as well as the tension of feeling like you are the doctor and you are trying to save a patient's life; you are between what is life or death...Are you up for the task?



The graphics are well done. All the characters are anime-ish and come in in stills, no real animation there. They will just slide in from dialogue sequence to the next, showing emotion on their faces and stance and so forth. Here is a semi-problem because there is a LOT of dialogue and story development for a story that really does not matter that much. It is not the best, especially when you have entire stages dedicated to story building and no operation. Basically, you are a n00b doctor and have not taken into full account what being a doctor is about and are not completely responsible and so forth, although later you discover that you possess a remarkable ability known as the Healing Touch, which can allow you to do things no other doctor can...well...no doctor without the ability that is.



Anyways, the in-game graphics are nice. All the little meters and what not on the top screen are very nice and sleek, however all the action occurs on the bottom screen, since the game is completely controlled by the stylus and touch screen. But yes, the graphics are very good, and you can sometimes, if you have any knowledge of such things, tell what part of the body you happen to be working on. There is not blood and other fluids all over the place or anything, but when you expel a tumor or use your scalpel to cut into something, there will be some blood spraying here and there, all of which is done very nicely; if...uh...if you're in to that sorta thing...

The controls are key to making this game what it is. Like I said, everything is done with the touch screen. You select the appropriate tool to use by simply clicking on its icon. There are 12 tools in all, however there are only 10 icons on-screen, the other two of which can be accessed when needed, so do not fret. These medical instruments include a laser, antibiotic gel, drain, forceps, hand, scanner, scalpel, stitches, syringe with multiple vials, and bandages. It is very important that you familiarize yourself with all of these instruments and verse yourself in all of their various abilities. For instance, the antibiotic gel not only sanitizes areas, which should be used before making an incision and after the stitches, but can also heal small cuts without the use of stitches.



The tools, in conjunction with the touch screen, are used quite brilliantly when speaking of the controls. This leads into the games difficulty, which is extremely high, for you must work very speedily while being excessively accurate. So, go play this game and then get your doctorate. Also, you have to remember all the little steps to take or you will not get very far. Anyways, if there is glass in a patient, you must excise it using the forceps, but always remember to pull in the correct direction, away from the cut; you cannot just pull upwards to pull it out, oh no. Then you must be precise when doing stitches and other such cutting. Also, when you use the drain, you must move the stylus upwards to create the needed suction. When you are using a syringe, you must also move the stylus upwards to get the medicine in the syringe itself. And the syringe has many different vials to choose from, so knowing what each does is vital. One decreases swelling, which can be very useful, and another stabilizes and returns a patients’ vitals, which is very, VERY useful. Also note that all of these tools are limited, so be stringent with the way you use them. But do not worry too much, for if you do "run out" of a tool, it will slowly replenish.

The first couple of operations are fairly easy. The nurse tells you everything to do and how to do it, step by step, however, as you progress, the nurse is very little help, merely telling you the situation and status of the patient and not telling you what or how to do it, so I hope you were paying attention on that first surgery. At the beginning of each surgery though, you will have a briefing with the nurse or other doctor who will tell you the situation and what you will be doing in the surgery and what your goals are. Again, these briefings get less and less helpful as you progress.



You are graded on each surgery in various ways. Firstly, you are given a minor rating on every move you perform. You either get an "ok" or a "miss" merely for doing a correct step. Also note that there is a certain amount of missing you are allotted, so if you miss too many times, you will fail that surgery and have to replay it. From there, you are given a "cool", "good", or "bad" rating depending on the speed and accuracy of the move performed.

At the end of the surgery, if you are successful, you will receive Vital, Time, and Special Bonuses depending on how well you did. When these points are combined, you will receive your ranking for that surgery, from C, B, A, and S, S of course being the best.

After you have completed a surgery in the Main Story mode, you can redo it for a better score or for more practice whenever you like in Challenge mode. Good luck getting all S's...trust me...you'll need it.



That is about it, gameplay and everything wise. The sound effects and everything are good and fill you with tension. Even though it is merely a game, you feel tense and nervous, trying to save somebody's life...It gets pretty intense, and you have to be very quick and precise its ridiculous. The game is not easy by any means. Unfortunately, I believe there are only 15 operations to perform in all, which is disappointing, however the shear difficult will have you playing some surgeries over and over again, and it is always fun to cut people open and what not...<_< But yes, it is a pretty cool game, and if you want it, you better hurry up and get a copy before you cannot find one because I believe the game has been discontinued...tsk tsk tsk. It is a nice and welcomed challenge and change from the monogamy of other video games.

9/10

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