Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 - first screenshots

Last week a sequel was confirmed to Atlus's hugely popular first Trauma Center DS game. Today the company has released the first screenshots, and also told us the game will be released in the US on July 1st. Unfortunately, there's no firm date for Europe.

Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 rejoins original characters Dr Derek Stiles and and nurse Angie Thompson after the threat of the GUILT virus is over. Unfortunately, the hospital emergency room still hasn't been able to return to more straightforward procedures, such as fixing broken bones and extracting foreign bodies from dodgy places, because consequences (unknown ones at present) have sprung up in the aftermath of GUILT. Once and for all, the pair must fight to put an end to the mystery behind the disease. Hopefully this won't mean zapping about four hundred of the things against a three minute time limit again.

Anyway, expect more scalpelling, stitching, probing and hammy acting in the style of a US medical drama for the sequel. The screenshots don't seem to indicate any major overhauls to the original game's formula, but Atlus promises improved tool utility, clearer directions, a new easy-play mode and all new operations. Which should be just what the doctor ordered if you were a fan of the blood and gore first game.