Surgeon Simulator 2: Access All Areas Review - A Game In Rude Health
The original Surgeon Simulator became a viral hit when it launched in 2013 , and the combination of wacky humor and purposely obtuse controls made it an instant hit, something that the second game in the series hopes to expand on. Developer Bossa Studios makes Surgeon Simulator 2: Access All Areas bigger and better than ever before rather than simply doing the same thing again with new content. In that respect, this game is a roaring success as it returns to Steam and comes to Xbox consoles for the first time.
The first thing that players of the original game will notice is that it is now possible to move around in Surgeon Simulator 2. This was not the case previously, with the first title sticking the characters into fixed positions rather than allowing them to move around freely. This adds an entirely new element to the experience, giving users the ability to come at surgeries from different angles and also complete puzzles in the training facility. Yet, the gameplay still feels like it stays true to the series’ formula even with this new mechanic.
The basic premise of Surgeon Simulator 2 is pretty much exactly the same as it was the first time around. Players must use their arm to pick up objects and perform procedures on patients, with the thumbsticks rotating and moving the arm in every possible direction and the triggers controlling the grip. It can seem complex at first, but with some practice, it is possible to get to grips with most of the functions, although it will still require some extra thought to do more elaborate movements.
The one major issue with the console version of Surgeon Simulator 2 is that there appears to be a lack of precision when it comes to using a controller rather than a keyboard and mouse. This is more a limitation of the hardware but it can make precise tasks harder than they should be, so it can prove to be a bit frustrating for those used to playing on PC. Another gripe is the fact that not much is done with the ability to move around other than trying to find items for surgery or ID cards to get through doors to the next area. With surgery being by far the most fun and engaging part of the gameplay, it is strange that so much emphasis is put on these rather grating puzzles.
This time around, the game also has a proper story mode, with each mission linked together in a plot that can get quite dark in places, even if it retains an off-beat sense of humor. The training facility is filled with other surgeons and secrets, all of which players will get to know as they advance through the story. It soon becomes clear that not everything is exactly as it first appears, and it adds a bit more motivation to get through the different puzzles to find out what is really going on.
Outside of the main campaign, Surgeon Simulator 2 offers a variety of extra game modes and content, including the ability to go through the main missions in four-player co-op. Perhaps the best addition, though, is the ability to create and share levels, with the community already having created some rather inventive and fun modes that use the gameplay mechanics in interesting ways. For those who want to customize their experience, the sequel also offers lots of cosmetic items and accessories, meaning it is possible for every surgeon to be unique.
Like its predecessor, Surgeon Simulator 2 can be a whole lot of fun, and there is certainly a lot more content this time around to keep players entertained for a long while. There’s some great comedy moments that can be had when performing the medical procedures, usually by accidentally pulling off a limb or attaching a body part in a place it shouldn't be. This is magnified during multiplayer, as the chaos of multiple people working on the same patient is very enjoyable. A few players might find the console controls a bit too frustrating and the puzzle segments are not entirely compelling, but it certainly gets a lot more right than it does wrong.
Surgeon Simulator 2: Access All Areas is available now on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A digital Xbox code was provided to Screen Rant for the purposes of this review.