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New trailer for Lifesigns: Hospital Affairs DS under the microscope

The DS does brain surgery

New trailer for Lifesigns: Hospital Affairs DS under the microscope

When the DS and its revolutionary touchscreen were first unveiled, everyone tried to think of ways in which it could be used. Drawing things seemed to be a given. And precision shooting by tapping enemies, keyboard 'n' mouse style, of course.

But it was also just crying out for a version of the board game Operation, with the stylus-controlled dissecting and stitching up of patients. Lo and behold, soon came along Trauma Center and its tongue-in-cheek daytime soap-style doctors and nurses game.

And it's not alone. As we reported back in November last year, publisher JoWood is the latest to be climbing aboard the virtual surgery ambulance, with its title Lifesigns: Hospital Affairs.

On the surface, the two games seem quite similar. But as the new trailer below shows, there appear to be plenty of differences in the gameplay – namely, the fact that Lifesigns pulls no punches when it comes to realism. Trauma Center might have turned life-saving surgery into a series of mini-games featuring fictitious viruses. But Lifesigns is going down the squeamishly realistic route. Just check out the skull-splicing brain op and man diagnosed with 'metal rod through leg' here:

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Yes, this is a game that pays attention to the detail of every last layer of skin and muscle. Unlike Trauma Center, selecting the right surgical instrument is done automatically for you and the real test of skill is whether you can wield it with a steady hand.

Promising stuff. For now, though, get yourself on the waiting list – Lifesigns is due for release on the October 19th.

Kath Brice
Kath Brice
Kath gave up a job working with animals five years ago to join the world of video game journalism, which now sees her running our DS section. With so many male work colleagues, many have asked if she notices any difference.