Publisher Atlus has released screenshots of its surgical sim sequel Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 (NDS).

A direct sequel to the notoriously difficult 2005 surgical sim, Under the Knife 2 marks the return of Dr. Derek Stiles dealing with the aftereffects of GUILT, the plague battled in the first title. The game features a variety of enhancements, new operations and several new difficulty modes.

Under the Knife 2 is slated for release on July 1.

Publisher Atlus has released screenshots of its surgical sim sequel Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 (NDS).

The first true sequel to the Nintendo DS sleeper hit, Under the Knife 2 is slated for release on July 1.

Atlus announced today that Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 (NDS) will hit retail shelves on July 1. The company also released a set of new screenshots and a trailer for the upcoming title.

A direct sequel to the notoriously difficult 2005 surgical sim, Under the Knife 2 marks the return of Dr. Derek Stiles dealing with the aftereffects of GUILT, the plague battled in the first title. The game features a variety of enhancements, new operations and several new difficulty modes.

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Another entry in the Atlus-developed surgical series Trauma Center is headed to Nintendo DS later this year, according to DS Fanboy report citing the latest issue of magazine Nintendo Power.

Currently titled Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2, the sometimes-realistic surgery title will sport a rebalanced difficulty mode for those who found the original too frustrating.

Other discussed features included promise of improved surgical tools and the exposition of several unaddressed plot points.

Though only the second Trauma Center title for the DS, Under the Knife 2 will mark the fourth entry in the series care of the two Wii editions that have arrived since the initial release of the first DS installment.