Really good game just came out at a bad time

Reviewed by kngzmexican on November 22, 2007  |  report this review

During the Wii launch nearly a year ago, publisher Atlus brought one of its larger Nintendo titles to the table with Trauma Center: Second Opinion. Essentially a remake of the DS version, Trauma Center took the stylus-based gameplay of the DS debut title and reformed it for Wii, adding in full IR control, updated graphics, but retaining the same basic missions and characters that players experienced before on the dual screen format. Regardless of its "Wii-make" nature, the game was still a huge hit, reviewed by many critics extremely favorably, and instantly achieving the same cult classic status that its DS counterpart did back in October of 2005. Now releasing one day after its one year anniversary on Wii, Trauma Center again comes to Nintendo's unique console, and again it sets standards for engaging, entertaining Wii gameplay.

While Second Opinion was based entirely on the original game's story and characters, New Blood brings just that to the Trauma Center world: New Blood. The game hosts all new characters, an entirely different plot, another crazed sci-fi based disease - known as Stigma - and even more intense procedures. As far as presentation, gameplay, and flow, New Blood is nearly identical to what Second Opinion brought to the table (though it has been improved in some areas as well). Essentially what you're getting is the same Trauma Center world, this time with a whole new experience.

New Blood follows two doctors this time, including the male surgeon Markus Vaughn, and female Valerie Blaylock. The story opens with the team working in Alaska with a remote hospital in a tiny ski town, and from there opens up in to a much larger drama. Each doctor is equipped with a different "Healing Touch" ability - which is essentially a one-time use special move in the surgical world - and each are playable during every chapter of the game. Essentially you're getting the same mission each time, but with a different move at your disposal. Each mission will also end with a rank based on difficulty - easy, medium, and hard - and doctor, as well as full co-op support, for a total of nine ranks per challenge. Right off the bat New Blood offers more ranking and replay value than its predecessors.

Anyone that played the previous Trauma Center will fall back into their old habits immediately, as the core gameplay goes unchanged - and for good reason. Select the tool you need with the nunchuk controller, and use either A, B, or a combination of both to pull off the intended action with the Wii IR as your guide. Everything is done in an arcade-like style, so you won't actually be seeing blood or grotesque organs, but instead be working in an anime-inspired world where high scores are determined by a quick and steady hand, as well as a "do the right thing" combo system. The idea may be mature, as you'll be treating real-world health problems and have all the stress and intensity that comes with the actual operation and bedside ma