Trauma Team: A Not-so Traumatic Experience
Company: Atlus
Trauma Team had a pretty big showing at E3 2009, even though we really didn't get to see much more than a trailer. Since then, much of the game has remained a mystery beyond the premise of following six doctors into action instead of one or two. Last week, Atlus pulled back the veil on Trauma Team during a special press-only online demo. In addition to reiterating Trauma Team would follow six specialists, Atlus emphasized that Trauma Team is a completely redesigned experience from previous games. While I'm typically in the "if it ain't broke" camp, the overhaul is welcome. One of the company's bigger aims is on making the game accessible to more players. Though popular, the Trauma games have a bit of a rep as being really hard. Though Trauma Team will still offer plenty of challenge for veteran doctors, much of the game has been tweaked. Instructions during operations are much clearer and, with the exception of a few specific operations (mostly in the first responder missions), untimed.
Without the timer, more emphasis is placed on precision and keeping the patients' vitals up. The demo offered a look at an endoscopy mission, a non-invasive internal microsurgery for those not up on their medical lingo. The procedure involved feeding a tube through a patient's throat (at least I think is was his throat) using the Wii-mote to push forward. The process involved looking for growths in the stomach. Although Trauma Team sticks to the series' more stylized look, the simple procedure offered a great example of the reworked graphics engine, particularly the new lighting system. Poking around in someone's stomach may not sound impressive, but it actually looked really cool. Getting back to the surgery, once a growth was identified, the next step involved draining it by selecting a drain tube and pointing a plus-shaped cursor at a small circle overlaid on the tumor. Most of the game's tools use the IR sensor, building on the idea of precision over timing. This proved to be slightly trickier than it sounded. Throughout the entire mission, the patient's vitals were always in danger of dropping, and even the smallest of errors could send them plummeting. For example, holding the forceps too tightly would hurt your patient.
Another type of surgery on display involved setting bones on a patient after a botched suicide attempt. Although the mission isn't drastically different from the multiple bone-repairing missions found in past games, Trauma Team's repairs introduced a new step - creating new bones to replace missing pieces. After fixing the patient's leg, it was determined a large section was missing, prompting a mini-game in which our demo driver has to skillfully follow a pre-determined line on a metal rod to cut out a replacement. The bone replacement was followed by another step, screwing metal plates to secure the section. Again, this required precision maneuvering using the Wii's IR sensor to pull the drill/ screwdriver into place without going too deep and damaging the bone.
The plot of Trauma Team will follow six doctors through their own individual missions. Instead of an overarcing threat, such as a super virus, each mission will focus on individual plotlines and the stress that comes with each job. The focus this time is on realism, so things like "Healing Touch" are gone, but you can still expect to see an array of futuristic surgical tools. Each doctor's job will involve different operation types. For instance, the First Responder missions will involve quick-paced, on-the-spot procedures, while the Forensic Specialist's missions are more akin to adventure games. Although doctor's plots likely won't spill over into each other's stories, expect to see one or two patients go between specialists. Trauma Team still has a ways to go until release, but based on an early look, it is certainly headed in the right direction and should give both rookie and veteran doctors something to look forward to when it ships next Spring.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Related Links: Game Vortex's Review of Trauma Center: New Blood on Wii Game Vortex's Review of Trauma Center: Second Opinion on Wii Game Vortex's Review of Trauma Center: Under the Knife on DS Game Vortex's Review of Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 on DS Trauma Team -- Official Site Atlus
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