The Retro Review.

This review is going to be extra fun, since it's a game very relevant to my interests. I present to you, my dear readers,

Life & Death 2: The Brain.

Overview:
A sequel to the original Life & Death, which was a pretty detailed simulation of being a general surgeon (who specializes in abdominal surgery), the second outing has you venture into very, VERY sensitive territory, the human brain.

Graphics: A very clear step up from its predecessor, LND2 has colorful, well done graphics. The detail is very intricate, especially during the surgery sections, which I'll cover later. Patients blink, when you put your gloves on the hand icon changes, and if you have a weak stomach, the surgery parts might not be for you.

Sound: Sadly, I can't really tell you anything about the audio. While DOSbox is a wonderful piece of software to use to play old games, it can't always do everything. The sound, at least on my machine, would always be broken and annoying. A solid beep isn't good when you're trying to watch the EKG.

Gameplay: With any good game, this is where the real meat is.

At first you'll be in an overhead view of the hospital. Here you can ask the receptionist for help, visit the cafeteria, visit the different labs, or even the morgue, where you can view the names of patients you lost, and why.

The gameplay has two modes. First, diagnosing what's wrong with your patient.

The diagnosis mode is pretty straightforward. First, you read your patient's chart. Then, you run through all the basic tests, including sensory loss tests (Poking them with a needle to see if they feel it), speech ability, muscle weakness or strength, reflexes, and eye dilation and tracking abilities.

After you poke and prod your patient, if you're still unsure, you can do a number of diagnostic tests, such as an X-ray, angiogram, CT scans, and MRI scans. However, there's a catch. If you were a good little intern, and read the chart, you might notice your patient has a pacemaker. Naturally, using the MRI machine would be a terrible, terrible idea. So, CT scan it is. On the flip side, your patient may have an allergy to shellfish. This might indicate other allergies, such as contrast dyes, used in the CT scans. So no go there. Angiograms, however, are always safe. (The contrast dye necessary is much less.)

So, now you've got enough to make a diagnosis. They may just have migraines, so write up a codeine prescription. They could need psychiatric help for a cocaine or morphine addiction. But they may have something a little more serious, one of three possible diagnoses that require surgical intervention. And guess who's the surgeon?

The first of the surgeries you'll likely face would be the fixing of a sub-dural hematoma, aka bleeding in the brain. Now, this is the "easiest" of the surgeries. So, off you go to the OR. This is where the depth is. Even the slightest error or missed step will probably cost you the patient. Just a small sampling of things you have to be aware of and watch for:

Breath rate.
EKG.
Kidney Function
Blood Loss.
IV fluid level.

And there are procedures you must follow. Scrub your hands, put on the gloves, inject antibiotics, turn the head (in the PROPER direction!) wipe down the head with antiseptic, drape the surgical site, and then, only then can you begin the incision.

I won't provide a walkthrough, (they can, however, be found) but while the hematoma is "easy," I've yet to even work up the courage to attempt the other two surgeries. Those would be brain tumor, and aneurysm. I've seen videos of people completing them. Kudos to those cats.

The detail is pretty graphic, when you make the incision, your patient WILL bleed, you have to use bone saws and drills (VERY CAREFULLY!) and various other tools.

I have great respect for surgeons and neurosurgeons, and if this simulator is even a fraction of what the real thing is like, they're truly amazing people for what they do.

Naturally, I should also echo what the game tells you upon exit, that NOTHING you do in the game should be attempted in reality WHATSOEVER. Unless, y'know, you went through the residencies and all that.

So, the final score: 8/10. If you want a challenge, pick it up. It's more accessible than the predecessor was, but it's not easy. Go forth and save someone!