Trauma Center: Under the Knife

Trauma Center: Under the Knife, known in Japan as Chōshittō Caduceus (超執刀 カドゥケウス, Chōshittō Kadukeusu, lit. Super Surgical Operation: Caduceus), is a simulation game developed and published by Atlus for the Nintendo DS and is the first entry in the Trauma Center series. The game was released in Japan on June 30, 2005, in North America on October 4, 2005 and in Europe on April 28, 2006. An enhanced remake for the Wii, titled Trauma Center: Second Opinion (Caduceus Z: Futatsu no Chōshittō (カドゥケウスZ 2つの超執刀, Kadukeusu Zetto Futatsu no Chōshittō, lit. Caduceus Z: Two Super Surgical Operations) in Japan), was released on November 19, 2006 in North America, December 2, 2006 in Japan, and August 10, 2007 in Europe. The DS version was followed by a direct sequel, Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2, released in 2008.

Gameplay

Trauma Center is a surgery simulation game with visual novel elements, in which players play as a rookie surgeon named Derek Stiles. The game is divided up into several chapters, many of which involve an operation that the player must clear in order to progress through the game. During each operation, the player will be tasked with completing the operation's objective within a time limit, whilst making sure to keep their patient vitals up. The operation will fail if the patient's vitals drop to zero, the time limit runs out, or a certain objective is failed. At the end of each operation, players are ranked based on their performance, such as speed and accuracy. Clearing the main story campaign can unlock additional challenge missions.