bit-tech Shopping: Atlus Trauma Center: New Blood (WII)

Rating: 6

Time with product:

Strengths: Coop play!

Weaknesses: much harder than the 1st

Summary: the sequel has a chock-full of minigame collections.The only downside to all of this is that some of the surgeries are extremely long and sensitive.Those issues aside, it's fun and rewarding to figure out things for yourself. For instance, an operation on a burn victim is horribly frustrating at first, but becomes rewarding once you figure out how to grow skin grafts, place them in the right spots, drain the blood, and boost the patients vitals in the right order. overall it's a good game but I like the 1st trauma center better.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2

Strengths: +Two player Co-op+It's a new Trauma Center!+Voices

Weaknesses: -Not an easy game, especially during solo play

Summary: Trauma Center: Under the Knife quickly gained a cult following after its release on the DS. It was then ported to the Wii as "Second Opinion." This time, however, is a brand new game. Taking place 10 years after the original, the game focuses on two doctors in Alaska: Markus Vaughn and Valeria Blaylock. Story, graphic, control-wise it is not much different from Second Opinion. Of course, a new threat emerges. Bodies are a mix of the realistic and the tame. The game is divided into surgical mission, where you must complete an operation within a certain time period to pass. Both doctors have the Healing Touch, where upon use grants you a special effect to help you complete the mission. But finally there are voices! You move your tools with the Wiimote and choose your tool with the nunchuck. (You can play without the nunchuck, but not recommended.) Just as Second Opinion changed some of the tools found in Under the Knife, New Blood changes tools from Second Opinion slightly.Basically, this game has the same flaw the original Pokemon games had: You're punished for not having video game playing friends. This game is basically made for having 2 players, unlike the solo gameplay of its prequel. I admit I'm not very good at these sort of games, as I encountered difficulty in Under the Knife and had several problems in Second Opinion, even on easy. But the game doesn't seem to give the single player any breaks. At times I wish I could just recruit somebody off the street and say "here, keep pumping vitals and let me do the rest." Atlus included the option of comparing your score to other players, but strangely neglects separating easy, normal, hard scores.Overall, if you really enjoyed Second Opinion, it's hard to hate this game. Like most good sequels, it keeps the same basic formula and improves it without derailing what made it good in the first place. New users can probably find a copy of Second Opinion cheaper (current MSRP: $30) and get the same type of experience before or instead of the current $50 MRSP for New Blood. If you're never going to have anybody to play with anyway, you might as well go with Second Opinion. 3 1/2 stars.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Nice update for Wii, Fun multi-player play

Weaknesses: Storyline drags, Difficult at times

Summary: This is a pretty fun game for the Wii. The procedures one must perform to save a patient are interesting and at times very difficult to accomplish in time for one player. The storyline in-between procedures grows tiresome. They could have reduced or eliminated that part of the game in many cases. Overall, this is a good game for most ages except the really young ones it will be too difficult. Play with a friend and it really shines.

Rating: 4

Time with product:

Strengths: Great idea for a game, fun initially

Weaknesses: Weak graphics, tiresome dialogue, novelty wears off quickly

Summary: The game kept me interested initially until it became redundant. Easy mode is not as difficult as others may think. You simply have to work fast. The graphics are weak. The acting parts in between levels are on the long side. If you are a person who likes a challenging game, this is not a bad start but it gets boring with continued play.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Weeks

Strengths: Gameplay, voice acting, co-op mode, online leaderboards

Weaknesses: Visuals

Summary: New Blood is a fantastic follow up to Second Opinion and feels like a much better game over all. It features the unique gameplay of the first game that requires fast reflexes and precision, but the presentation is much improved thanks to wonderful voice acting. Since the game has a lot of text, the voice acting goes a long way. The new co-op mode can be great fun, and the online leaderboards can really extend the gameplay if you're the type who loves to compete for high scores. If you liked the first game or are just interested in something original and challenging, give this game a shot. You won't regret it!