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Trauma Center: Second Opinion

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8.1 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 49 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 30 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Atlus USA

Developer: Atlus USA

Genre(s): Action, Medical Simulation

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: November 14, 2006

Summary

Trauma Center: Second Opinion is NOT a quick-and-dirty port of the DS title "Trauma Center: Under the Knife." It has new graphics and animation; new surgical implements and operation types; a second playable character with new missions; multiple difficulty modes; and a revised control system that takes full advantage of the Wii Remote. It's a remake (or "Wii-make," if you prefer) with gobs of added content. As with Under the Knife, the voice acting in Second Opinion is presented in the operation scenes to enhance the drama and punctuate the action. [Atlus USA]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Trauma Center: Under the Knife

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Also On The Web: GameSpot Preview(s) Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Nintendojo

Much like "Under the Knife" for DS, Trauma Center: Second Opinion is a perfect demonstration of a game that simply cannot exist on any other console platform. It is both gorgeous and stylish.

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AtomicGamer

Whether you just play the missions to get through them for the story or want to beat them all with an S-ranking, there is tons of fun to be had in this game.

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eToychest

If you’re buying a game other than Zelda with your Wii, make it Trauma Center. The gameplay not only translates perfectly, it evolves, and everything that made Under the Knife great is still on full display.

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GameSpy

A perfect fit for the Nintendo Wii. If you've played the DS title, then you need to play this too. If you haven't, then don't do your new Wii the disservice of ignoring TCSO. It's a refreshingly original game that'll give you a ride well worth taking.

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Games Radar (in-house)

Difficulty is erratic overall, and some of the operations are infuriatingly tough on any skill level, even without your nurse constantly interrupting to point out how badly you're doing. Still, even though we occasionally had to pause to curse at the TV, we couldn't stop playing - we were addicted.

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Console Gameworld

A unique concept executed exquisitely, Trauma Center: Second Opinion is easily one of the strongest Wii launch titles.

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GamePro

Those who loved the original should at least try the game to experience how having the Wii-mote has changed the feel of the operations.

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Eurogamer

I'm completely in love with Trauma Centre: Second Opinion. It's urgent, tense, dramatic, unique, extremely difficult and surprisingly varied, an excellent Wii game and an excellent puzzle game. For anyone suffering from scepticism and uncertainty about the validity of the Wii's control system and doubting developers' abilities to create games to live up to its potential, Trauma Centre: Second Opinion is the perfect remedy.

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Gaming Target

The redesigned gameplay helps the player become enthralled into the world of Trauma Center and definitely shows the potential of the Wii.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

The feel of going back for just one more crack at an operation is amazing and there’s always plenty to go back and improve on even after you’ve waded through the six chapters of story.

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Pelit (Finland)

Good enhanced remake of the DS classic that manages to make full use of the wii-mote. The only downside is the lame audiovisual approach. [Sept 2007]

IC-Games

Only the Nintendo Wii could pull off a game like this with such style and grace.

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GameCritics

Rather than a gimmick or a quick add-on like some other Wii titles, Second Opinion's gameplay feels tailor-made for the Wiimote and clearly displays its potential.

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Gameplayer

Whichever way you slice it, Trauma Center: Second Opinion on the Wii is the definitive ‘doctorb’ experience – the ‘b’ is for bargain!

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GameZone

An incredible and original game of operation.

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Deeko

For what is essentially a remake, Trauma Center: Second Opinion offers up enough fresh, new content to make the game truly stand out. There's even a new surgeon in the game, for crying out loud!

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Nintendo Power

The game is long, challenging, and arguably the most fun you'll have on Wii at launch. [Jan. 2007, p.108]

ZTGameDomain

A fantastic choice for a Wii launch title, and a can’t lose title for a launch purchase. A fun, challenging game which shows off the elegant design and future potential of the Wii and it’s innovative controls.

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NintendoWorldReport

Although the original Trauma Center is a fantastic game, I wouldn't say it's for everyone, due to the extreme difficulty. Second Opinion fixes that issue while providing options to make the game even harder for veteran players.

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Worth Playing

While I'm a bit disappointed in the relatively small amount of new content, the overall gameplay is solid and different enough from the DS counterpart to be worth playing.

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Game Informer

If you're a Caduceus veteran, the new controls, multiple difficulty options, and new surgeries and tools will more than satisfy. [Jan 2007, p.103]

NGamer UK

Always fun, often merciless but never unfair. If you've played the DS version this is different enough to enjoy. If not, a trip to the operating room is a must. Seriously good for your health. [Feb 2007, p.56]

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Gaming Nexus

Even as a remake, Trauma Center: Second Opinion is an innovative, challenging game that is one hell of a lot of fun. The hectic adrenaline pumping surgeries are back with more eye candy and a smoother interface. New difficulty levels make the game far more accessible than its brutally hard DS predecessor, and the new doctor and sixth chapter are the final incentive.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

It's the kind of unique game that the Wii was made for. [Aug 2007, p.94]

GameShark

If working as a doctor ever interested you, this game has it’s moments of fun. It will not give you training for the real world, but it does pass the time nicely.

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Games Master UK

As brilliant on Wii as it is on DS, but it does feel like a bit of a missed opportunity. There's no two-player - we fancied a bit of head-to-head operating or co-op. [Jan 2007, p.77]

GameTrailers

The Wii controls are integrated almost seamlessly into the gameplay, making for a port that’s actually better than the original and worth at least renting for vets of the series. There’s no second opinion needed on this one.

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GamingTrend

Figuring out the pattern and applying a solution is an awesome feeling if everything is done correctly.

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Play Magazine

For those that are new to the world of video game surgery, Trauma Center: Second Opinion is a standout title in the Wii's launch line-up. [Jan. 2007, p.50]

G4 TV

Gamers who crave challenge, plot and the chance to really get their hands dirty with the Wii motion control will respond well to Trauma Center: Second Opinion.

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Gamer 2.0

Despite the repetitive nature of the operations by the end of Trauma Center: Second Opinion, it manages to be a worthwhile single-player experience, and more than any other launch title, it’s a great showcase for the Wii Remote.

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AceGamez

This is without doubt a worthy launch title that deserves a truly Wii-specific sequel… stat!

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Yahoo! Games

This is a textbook example of the power of an interface to make a distinctive and clever game even more distinctive and clever. Quite simply, you haven't played Trauma Center until you've played it on the Wii.

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Kombo

While the presentation is a little bare and there is only support for a single player, there's plenty to enjoy to justify the purchase.

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IGN

Trauma Center has a charming style, decent graphical and audio presentation, but really excels in the control department. The franchise has been given a rebirth on Wii, and it has never been better.

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GameSpot

You don't need a surgeon's patience or precision to appreciate this quirky, inventive, very likable remake of a remarkable Nintendo DS game.

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VideoGamer

Even nine months into the system's life, this 'should have been launch title' is right up there with the best the Wii has to offer, delivering solid controls and a thoroughly entertaining single-player storyline.

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Game Almighty

I was worried how games would be able to translate the new control mechanics of the Wii into gameplay, but this is a very solid example of how it should feel when it’s done correctly.

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Cheat Code Central

If you're looking for a unique experience on your Wii, or even enjoyed the first Trauma Center, TC:SO is a good bet.

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Game Revolution

Trauma Center: Second Opinion may showcase a few beginner's mistakes, but they're nothing to scream 'malpractice' over, and you're far better off mastering the scalpel than any other blade currently on offer for the Wii.

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The New York Times

It’s definitely worth playing, but while I generally enjoyed it, I never fell in love with it. And while the story is somewhat intriguing and the gameplay is certainly unusual, I always get annoyed with games that make things so hard on me.

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games(TM)

Despite high quality, Trauma Center: Second Opinion was outdone by itself earlier in the year. The Wii control method, however adequate, can’t live up to what was achieved with the DS game. [Jan 2007, p.90]

Digital Entertainment News

Overcomes what could have been crippling flaws with the same addictive gameplay, and the controls are what sells this title.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

It's definitely not one for the squeamish. [Jan. 2007, p.64]

Thunderbolt

The 'just one more go' addictiveness is still there. Knowing that, if it wasn't for the hand cramp, you could do better, right? It just requires a little quicker thinking, better planning, more accuracy, risk taking.

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1UP

It reminds me of that college professor who taught a fun class but didn't explain things very well -- in the end, you didn't learn as much as you could have. Second Opinion's fun, but in the end, you feel like you didn't enjoy it as much as you should have.

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Edge Magazine

Engaging, absorbing. [Jan 2007, p.79]

NTSC-uk

Trauma Center Second Opinion feels like exactly what it is: a port of an existing game that should have stayed on its original platform. Lack of extra content once finished also leaves it feeling very lightweight.

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Gaming Age

It's frustrating, often needlessly so, and frequently loses its enjoyable premise behind the guise of arbitrary design decisions.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 30 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

D R gave it a4:
I honestly don't think this game is nearly as good as the score everyone has been giving it. The graphics are interesting and suitable, and I don't usually make that much of a high priority in my reviews. The gameplay is repetitive and boring. After the first chapter, I was astounded that this is how the entire game would play out to be like. The story is cheesy and shoddily put together, and unfortunately, the coolest segment that I have witnessed so far is the interface and the movie in the beginning. *sigh* Maybe it is simply the Wii's minigame madness that really has me down, but I'm not sure.

Rupert A. gave it a6:
Boring story. Some neat puzzles, and the controls are well implemented. Good when administered in small doses.

Dan C. gave it a2:
Boring game with lame cut scenes. I returned it after a day.

Tom G gave it a9:
I played Under The Knife. It was awesome, but the cutscenes annoyed the hell out of me. It felt like an anime soap opera. Now, we take all this, and a bag of chips, graphic improvements, new elements, a brand spankin' new ending, and difficulty options, and you get one hell of a Wii game. But, seriously, Atlus needed to do away with the anime cutscenes, and throw in actual 3D models, and all the modern day cutscene techniques, and show what the Wii can really do. Another downside, is that when millions of lacerations pop open, and the blood and particles load, the framerate slows down. Well, magnificent effects are loading, what did you think would happen? Would a GUILT membrane pop out and bite you in the ass? Would your Wii's SD card slot open up and sing some Celine Dion? The framerate slows down, you idiot! But seriously, go out and buy this game, and for all you who say it sucks, you clearly don't know what a good game is. And you probably have only played up to level 5.

J S gave it a10:
Loved IT! Challenging. But not for those who don't enjoy story lines.

Dylan H. gave it a10:
I would have to say that this is one of the best games I've ever played on Wii. Unlike the DS, every tool you use in the O.R is very realistic. The stylus on the DS was hard to use, but the Wii mote totally changes the game play, and I love the small detail they have done to it. Very exciting game!

Lenny G. gave it a9:
A solid, interesting, fun and innovative game. -1 point for the annoyingly long dialogue.

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Trauma Center: Second Opinion

Game Info

Summary

Also On Metacritic

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

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