Trauma Team Review for Nintendo Wii

System: Wii	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Atlus	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Atlus	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: May 18, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Last but not least, you'll handle diagnosis and forensics with the darker Dr. Gabriel Cunningham and Dr. Naomi Kimishima, respectively. These game modes are more similar to a Phoenix Wright or a CSI title than the classic Trauma Center gameplay, though they have a style of their own. By questioning patients, Gabriel uses his abilities to diagnose ailments and discover injuries that are affecting them. In order to diagnose a patient's problems, a simulated computer system is used to find links between symptoms and diseases, and looking at CT scans and X-rays is also helpful to figure out the diagnosis.

Trauma Team screenshot

Naomi, the forensics doctor and investigator helps to unravel mysteries. The FBI likes her approach and handiness, so she works with them side by side, exploring crime scenes and collecting evidence cards you have to analyze. This investigation-oriented gameplay style is very different from the rest of the game, but it is fun and clever, as long as you're okay with mulling over information for a while and using your reasoning to solve the mysteries.

The presentation in Trauma Team is detailed and updated when compared to previous installments. The anime-inspired visuals are very attractive and help players get immersed into the story. The stories told in Trauma Team are not overly deep, but the animated graphics help to tie things together, making you sympathize with the characters. Also, the polished 3D visuals employed during surgery segments make the game much more realistic and appealing. As far as the Wii goes, it probably couldn't get a whole lot better.

The sounds are good as well. Voice acting is professional, and also what you'd expect to hear in an anime-themed title. The music during surgeries is soothing, but it'll keep you active. It's probably what you'd hear in any hospital-themed TV series you can think of. Since I followed it for a while, I can't help it but think of E.R. Even some of the character dramas in this game are reminiscent of that show!

All in all, Trauma Team has what most previous players were looking for, and it's also unique enough that some new players might want to take a peek at it and see if it's something they'd enjoy. With six different gameplay styles, unlockables, and co-op support for some of those gameplay modes, Trauma Team has a lot more to offer than any of the previous titles, so $40 is not a huge price to pay, as long as you're into sim-style gameplay and winding storylines.

By Maria Montoro
CCC Site Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.4

Graphics
Manga/anime-inspired visuals are very detailed and help to immerse players into the story. Same with the surgery segments.

3.9

Control
Controls are basically the same as in previous installments, though they do feel a bit more accurate. Stylus-based controls on the DS are still my favorite, though.

4.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Like the visual presentation and the gameplay, the sound presentation has received an upgrade. The voice acting sounds professional, and the background tunes work well with the medical / anime theme.

4.0

Play Value
This game offers a more powerful presentation than previous installments, and it's also more complete as far as gameplay modes are concerned. In addition, co-op gameplay lets you share the experience.

4.2

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Six specialists, six gameplay types-Try your hand at general diagnosis, where a keen, analytical mind comes in handy, or put yourself on the edge as a paramedic, where every ticking second could mean the difference between life and death! Tons of variety means everyone can find a specialty they like.

Incredible, dynamic story sequences-Taking inspiration from Japanese animation and comics, each dramatic chapter comes vividly to life with a style seen nowhere else! Hand-drawn art, innovative animation, and quality voice acting perfectly capture the intensity that sets medical action apart!

More realistic, more balanced, more fun-Taking years of experience and tons of user feedback into consideration, the Trauma Center team elevates the medical action experience with cooperative play, unlockable rewards, and selectable difficulty levels.