It has now been one year since the announcement of “Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator” on December 1, 2023. Following this, the press had to wait until summer, during gamescom, for a closer look at the game. Recently, Nacon organized a 2-hour hands-on gaming session to provide a deeper understanding of the gameplay and future developments in emergency medical services. For most media outlets, it was a remote preview; however, with COVID restrictions lifted and Nacon’s offices located in Paris, I requested to visit for a more comfortable experience. Human interaction is preferable to relying on Discord.
It has now been a year since the announcement of Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator on December 1, 2023. Following this, the press had to wait until summer, during gamescom, to get a closer look at the game. Recently, Nacon organized a 2-hour hands-on session for a better understanding of the gameplay and what lies ahead in the paramedic profession. For most media outlets, this was a remote preview; however, due to the end of COVID restrictions and my location in Paris where Nacon’s offices are situated, I requested an in-person session for enhanced gaming comfort. Human interaction is preferable to virtual means such as Discord.
Ambulance Life is a game that places players in various situations, ranging from simple street faintings to major disasters with numerous casualties, including minor incidents or traffic accidents. The game utilizes a procedurally generated mission system to ensure variety and prevent monotony. Beyond the medical simulation required for each scenario, Ambulance Life also incorporates driving, which constitutes approximately 30% of gameplay. Players are situated in San Pelicano, a city located on the west coast of the United States and heavily inspired by San Francisco. However, it is not an open world but rather consists of three large zones that unlock as players progress through the game. These include a historical district, a business center, and an industrial zone. Each district has its own distinct characteristics, and each location can serve as the setting for accidents or major events. According to the developers, residents in these districts have specific lifestyles and activities that lead to different types of incidents; however, this feature has not yet been observed by us…
During our gaming session, we were able to test two types of interventions: driving the ambulance in standard scenarios and responding to Catastrophic Events. For standard interventions, players must wait for an alert to sound before providing necessary information and proceeding to the scene, activating emergency lights and sirens to ensure other vehicles give way. However, this approach does not always work seamlessly, and I admitted to frequently engaging in reckless driving, such as bumping into other cars, driving on sidewalks, and making sharp turns. While initial missions may seem relaxed, tension quickly rises with occasional severe accidents that require rapid response to save victims from their injuries. Given the often congested streets, finding an optimal route between vehicles becomes essential. In role-play mode, players are advised to avoid hitting pedestrians; however, at this stage of development, some collisions resulted in pedestrian knockdowns without any penalties.
AT VELPOT HOSPITAL!?
Upon arriving at the scene, the initial step is to assess the victim’s condition before transporting them to the hospital. This involves asking several questions to gather information about what occurred, assessing any medical history, and providing reassurance. Next, a thorough examination of the victim’s body is conducted by checking specific points for symptoms such as bruises, wounds, bleeding, or other signs of injury. It is also important to look for additional clues in the environment that may provide context about the situation.Following this preliminary assessment, all findings are recorded on a tablet to document the patient’s medical file and make an initial diagnosis. Once these steps are completed, one proceeds to retrieve a stretcher to prepare the victim for transport in the ambulance and administer basic care. Based on the established diagnosis, appropriate first aid measures must be taken, which include setting up equipment like a blood pressure monitor, finger pulse oximeter, oxygen mask, and using a stethoscope. Bandages are applied through a Quick Time Event (QTE) system, and if necessary, intubation is performed. It may also be required to administer medications such as morphine, ketamine, or insulin; the game zooms in on the injection process for these actions.Players should exercise caution when handling needle insertions due to their realism, which can trigger discomfort in some players, particularly those sensitive to such scenes. This aspect of the gameplay is highlighted within Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator, developed by Nacon and showcased during gamescom’s summer event on December 1, 2023.
Each patient is managed differently based on their condition, situation, and established prognosis, with the game employing procedural methods to avoid repetitive tasks. A minor detail: while administering first aid, patients may be undressed regardless of gender, but there is an option within the game to not see them exposed. This choice is left up to personal preference.
There Will Be Blood
Time is of the essence, and we have 10 minutes to locate all victims, perform quick diagnoses to assess their danger levels, provide first aid, and then transport them to a makeshift medical camp. This is where each patient can receive thorough treatment one after another, be stabilized, and then transferred for further care. Although it lacks dramatic scenes and setup to feel fully immersed at this stage, we do not yet know the game’s release date, but several elements are missing for complete immersion. For example, in catastrophic events, it would be beneficial to see firefighters acting alongside us; however, apart from their vehicles, the disaster site is currently entirely deserted. Apart from the paramedic, there are corpses and injured patients waiting for treatment, which makes the environment feel quite empty and lacking impact. We hope that developers will add more substance before release.
UE 5 POWERED
Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator was announced on December 1, 2023. It wasn’t until this summer’s Gamescom that the press had the opportunity to take a closer look at the game. Recently, Nacon organized a 2-hour gameplay session aimed at providing a deeper understanding of the gameplay and expectations within the paramedic profession. For most media outlets, the preview was conducted remotely; however, due to the lifting of COVID restrictions and the convenience of being near Nacon’s Paris office, I requested to visit their premises for an optimal gaming experience.
