Trauma Center: Second Opinion (Japanese: カドゥケウスZ 2つの超執刀, Caduceus Z: 2 Healing Touches lit. Caduceus Z: 2 Super Swords) is the second release in the Trauma Center series, being a Wii remake of the first title, Trauma Center: Under the Knife. The game was released in 2006 as a launch title for the Nintendo Wii in both Japan and North America, making full use of the Wiimote and Nunchuck. It was later released in other regions in 2007. The game was a commercial success, selling 400,000 copies in Europe and North America by October 2008.[1]
Players once again play as Dr. Derek Stiles, as well as a new doctor, Dr. Nozomi Weaver in the fight against GUILT. Dr. Weaver also possesses the ability to utilize the mysterious Healing Touch, albeit in a different manner to Derek. The game features two new chapters, Chapter Z and a new, revamped Chapter 6.
See Also: Episode List for Trauma Center: Second Opinion and Plot of Trauma Center: Under the Knife
The plot between Second Opinion and Under the Knife remain almost entirely unchanged between Chapters 1 through 5. Second Opinion, however, introduces two new chapters to the story, namely Chapter Z and a new Chapter 6, with Under the Knife’s Chapter 6 being summarized in 6-1.
Chapter Z introduces Dr. Nozomi Weaver, a doctor on an exchange program with St. Francis Hospital in Santa Balboa. The events run parallel to the main storyline, and reveal Dr. Weaver’s true identity as a member of the bioterrorist group, Delphi, treating patients that are infected with GUILT in order to keep them alive for further experimentation. It also reveals her connections to Professor Blackwell, and introduces Navel, acting as her liaison with Delphi. This chapter’s storyline culminates in the raid on Delphi’s American Cell, where Naomi and Blackwell discover Savato in a patient’s Small Intestine. After this operation, she, along with Navel, are released from their obligations with Delphi, where Naomi then uses her Savato samples as a bargaining token with Caduceus Europe.
Chapter 6 takes place after the events of Under the Knife, and begins with an invitation for doctors from Caduceus USA to attend a medical conference hosted by Caduceus Europe in the aftermath of the takedown of Delphi’s Base of Operations. This also revolves around latent GUILT infections present throughout Europe after the fall of Delphi. Derek and Angie accept the invitation on the behalf of Caduceus USA, with Director Hoffman arriving later for the conference. During their time in Europe, Derek meets again with Director Miller, and meets Naomi Kimishima for the first time. After an unusual Tetarti operation, Derek collapses, and is quickly confirmed to be infected with two strains of GUILT. Naomi then operates with Angie’s assistance to save Derek’s life. Director Miller then reveals to Derek the true nature of Caduceus Europe’s new research; namely that it is derived from cells from Adam’s body.
The controls for Second Opinion were entirely revamped after Under the Knife, as the series transitioned from the Nintendo DS to the Wii. Tool selection is now down with the nunchuck’s joystick, allowing for a more seamless playstyle. The pointer is operated by the Wiimote’s IR motion sensor, integrating motion controls in the game’s playstyle. The menu system was also entirely reworked from Under the Knife, providing for multiple difficulty options and an easier way to replay operations and their cutscenes. All sprites and textures were also reworked, using a more abstract style than Under the Knife. The game also features an autosave system, as well as introduces the famous XS rank.
See also: List of Characters in Second Opinion/Under the Knife
Second Opinion features virtually the same characters as Under the Knife, albeit with a few notable differences.
New characters include: