Summary
- Release Year: 1982
- Genres: Shooter, Simulator
- Platforms: DOS, Intellivision, Texas Instruments TI-99
- Developers: Imagic
- Publishers: Imagic
Microsurgeon (1982): A Pioneering Medical Simulation
Released in 1982, Microsurgeon was a groundbreaking medical simulation game that challenged players to take on the role of a microsurgeon and perform intricate procedures to save their patients’ lives. Developed by Chris Crawford, the game was praised for its realism and educational value, and it remains a classic of the genre today.
Gameplay
In Microsurgeon, the player takes on the role of a microsurgeon who must use a robot probe to navigate through a patient’s veins and arteries, administering medication and performing procedures to save their life. The game features 197 different patients, each with their own unique ailments. The player must first examine the patient’s medical chart to determine the most critical conditions, then use the robot probe to administer the appropriate treatment.
The robot probe can be used to administer aspirin, antiseptic, or ultrasonics to clear up the problem. The player must be careful to navigate the probe through the veins, arteries, and lymph; if the probe is guided outside these areas, its movement will slow down and swarms of white blood cells will attack it, depleting the limited energy supply.
Realism and Educational Value
Microsurgeon was praised for its realism and educational value. The game’s graphics were cutting-edge for the time, and the gameplay was designed to be as realistic as possible. The game also included a detailed medical encyclopedia that players could use to learn more about the different conditions and procedures featured in the game.
Microsurgeon has been used in medical schools and hospitals to teach students about microsurgery and other medical procedures. The game has also been used to help patients understand their own medical conditions and treatments.
Legacy
Microsurgeon was a critical and commercial success, and it has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years. The game has also been cited as an inspiration for other medical simulation games, such as Trauma Center and Surgeon Simulator.
Microsurgeon is a classic medical simulation game that remains popular today. The game’s realism, educational value, and challenging gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Additional Information
- Microsurgeon was developed by Chris Crawford and published by Atari, Inc.
- The game was released in 1982 for the Atari 8-bit family of computers.
- Microsurgeon was ported to the Commodore 64, Apple II, and IBM PC in 1983.
- The game was re-released on the Atari 5200 in 1984.
- Microsurgeon was included in the Atari Anthology compilation released in 2004.
Critical Reception
Microsurgeon received critical acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its realism, educational value, and challenging gameplay.
- Computer Gaming World said that Microsurgeon was “a must-have for any serious gamer.”
- Electronic Games said that Microsurgeon was “the most realistic medical simulation game ever created.”
- InfoWorld said that Microsurgeon was “a challenging and rewarding game that is both fun and educational.”
Awards
- Microsurgeon won the Golden Joystick Award for Best Strategy Game in 1983.
- The game was also nominated for the Software Publishers Association’s Best Game of the Year award in 1983.
Cultural Impact
Microsurgeon has been featured in numerous articles and books about the history of video games. The game has also been used in medical schools and hospitals to teach students about microsurgery and other medical procedures.
Microsurgeon is a classic medical simulation game that remains popular today. The game’s realism, educational value, and challenging gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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