Monday 8 January, 2007

Trauma Center is a hell of a game.

I missed the initial release of the game, for the DS, not because I didn't have the console, but because... well, because Pheonix Wright: Ace Attorney and Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! called me with such fervor that I couldn't bear to spend any more money. Not to mention New Super Mario Bros. and Super Princess Peach (which was a good game okay don't make fun of me ;-;)

The point is, this play through is the first experience I've had with this intentionally niche puzzle game, with an exceptionally long, arduous build-up until I got the game. I bought this game and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess at the same time. I played this one first. I've got more hours logged into Trauma Center than to LoZ:TP, and I think the new Zelda game is at least on par with OoT. So I like it.

This Gamelog is going to start with 3:3 - An Explosive Patient. I'm just writing this to preempt the fact that, after the first hour of "homework" I may just write a string of expletives. If any of you have played this game, I feel confident that you'll understand and possibly even empathize (or, for the more caustic gamers out there, laugh at my misfortune.)

Is this a good or a bad sort of frustration? I'm considering this game, although I've heard mixed reviews about it. Also, I haven't been able to get a straight answer on this--are the visuals stylized enough so that a squeamish person like me won't get sick doing the operations?

It's mostly a good frustration. There are moments when the "fuck this I don't care anymore" frustration will get you, particularly on the mission I'm on right now, but for the most part it's a lot of fun.

As for squeamishness, well, I've seen mixed results. People who I thought would be able to handle it no problem were disgusted beyond reason, and people who I thought wouldn't want to even watch an entire mission hopped right up and started playing for themselves.

My suggestion would be to go on some gaming site, like 1up.com, and checking out a few of the gameplay demos. That way you can gauge whether or not you'd be mortified. And then, if you can handle it and you've got a relatively steady hand, I'd highly recommend picking this game up.

Hi!

Is the audio any good...I'm usually pretty good with gross visuals...but if you add too much squelching to that I probably won't make it.

The visuals are very stylistic, so I think the problem most of my friends have with it is more the idea behind the game than what they see.

As for audio, I think the harshest thing you'll have to deal with is the sound when you mess up with shards of glass. That'll give you a nice shake of the controller with a jarring sound that will, guaranteed, make you jump at least twice.

So if you can handle that, as well as some mild sucking sounds from the drain, you should be good.