Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

The resurgence of adventure video games and the easy-to-use touch screen interface of the Nintendo DS have created a match made in heaven, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is one of the first titles born from this singular love nest. Japanese gamers have received a flood of similar games, but for the rest of us, the selection has been quite limited. Nonetheless, if you are still looking for innovative games on the Nintendo DS, and you still have not caught up with Trauma Center: Under the Knife or Lost in Blue, I recommend that you take a trip down legal lane, and experience how fun a court room can actually be.

Facts and Features:

• Surprisingly addictive court-room drama!
• Unique use of the Nintendo DS’s features.
• Phoenix’s first US appearance!
• Innovative gameplay.

All Rise!
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a sequel/remake hybrid of the Japan-only Gyakuten Saiban, and while this is only the first game of the series to reach the US market, this is actually the third installment in Japan. The first two games were released on the Game Boy Advance, but there is little – if any – chance of seeing these titles released in the US.

The game puts you in the shoes of rookie attorney – yeah, you guessed it – Phoenix Wright, as he prepares for his first real life case. No more books to read, no more “fake” trials as practice, just the real deal. This is actually a great way to start up the game, because unless you are an attorney yourself (no, we are not looking at you, Thompson), you are most likely a newbie when it comes to legal actions.

However, this is not a game about murder; this is a game where you have to help your client – whoever they may be – get a “Not Guilty” verdict, even if they are indeed guilty as charged. Each of the game’s cases is divided into two parts: the investigation sequence, where mysterious evidence hides behind every corner, and the other is the most fun part of the game: the Court Phase.

Phoenix’s first assignment is to defend his old friend Larry Butz from a murder accusation. The chapter serves as a tutorial of sorts, in which you start with a brief cut-scene where you can see some of the events that occurred, ultimately leading you into the trial at hand. Each level starts in a similar way, so you will never start a trial without knowing at least part of the story behind it. Coincidentally, most of these cases have some kind of connection to Phoenix himself.

Before each case, you will have to analyze every crime scene, search for clues that can help you in the outcome of your trial, and interview witnesses. The intuitive control – thanks to the touch-screen – fits like a glove, and you will have no problem highlighting anything in the game with the “examine” command. The game’s cut-scenes are composed of still shots that are scarcely animated, and yet have such clever and humorous instances that it is hard not to pay attention to what goes on outside the courtroom. In these “investigation” cut-scenes, you also get a chance to visit and interview neighbors, and even police-officers, to gather more necessary information.

The characters are… colorful.

As the trial begins, you will have to listen to the witnesses’ statements, analyze each of the answers, and find mistakes in their testimonies. You do this by looking at many dialogue boxes that will give you “multiple choices” — one of them being the correct answer. After listening to the witness, you will have the option to present evidence you have found in the investigation sequence (proving them wrong, if that is the case), cross-examine each statement (line-by-line examination), or simply proceed to the next step.

It is not as easy as it sounds, though. Sometimes the witness will throw something at you that is perceptibly not quite right, so what do you do? Why not shout a loud “Hold it!” to stop it? Just give a good old shout into the microphone. It is extremely satisfactory, and somewhat of a stress-reliever. After that, you can examine each of the witness’s lines to see if there are any discrepancies between the accusations, the evidence you have gathered, and even their own testimonies.

All evidence is very specific, so do not expect hard-to-crack mysteries when it comes to deciphering the importance of each piece of data. For instance, each item you acquire for investigation purposes will have a picture, and a brief, but to the point description that will always give you a little clue about the importance of said article, and how it relates to the overall case.

But what happens if you present evidence that has nothing to do with the trial, or that was simply not meant to be presented? You better pay close attention to every single move you make, because presenting erroneous evidence will result in a penalty, courtesy of the judge. It is something that you will definitely deserve for not paying attention, and unfortunately, it also means that you are one step closer to losing the entire case. You have five shots, and each mistake costs you a part of your “power bar”; but why would you risk any of them? You do not want that in your record now, do you?

Something interesting about this game is that it does not take the law seriously. This is okay, as I was expecting something that was not grounded in reality, but this may annoy anyone who was probably expecting an ultra-realistic mystery/court room experience. For instance, the judge‘s actions can be a bit frustrating at times (particularly because he likes to take sides; hint: not yours), but after a while, you will get the hang of it.

Cross-examining is so fun!

All flaws aside, the game is a quirky-but-fun title that will surely entertain you most of the time. Because it is not an entirely-realistic experience, it is a great way to tackle on legal subjects while still retaining the fantasy we are used to in our video games. Even though the game has a linear design, which restricts the replayability aspect, the first play-through will definitely be an enjoyable ride.

Graphics and Sound
The game’s engine is pretty, although this should be expected coming from a point-and-click game. Even though most of the story will be told through still shots, the great artwork and character designs are welcome features. For example, each of the characters will convey the personality that defines them, from the nervous-but-likeable Phoenix, to each of the game’s multiple witnesses – some are mean, others are sexy, some of them are even, well, animals, but the point is that each of them has a unique, different personality.

The music and sound effects are also well done. Each of the game’s themes will sound accordingly to what is happening on-screen. If Phoenix is nervous, the music speeds up. If Phoenix is investigating something, the music slows down. And if Phoenix finds an item that will surely help him win the case, the music is full of joy. Each sound effect is distinctive, and it gives a unique personality to the game, one that will help it stand above others.

What’s The Verdict, Your Honor?
I am glad that Capcom took a chance and brought Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney to the US market. It was a new and entertaining experience for me, and it is certainly a welcome addition to the DS library. With its unique premise, and funny script, I hope this is only the first of Phoenix’s crazy adventures on the DS, or on any other console.

Linear as it is, it still features remarkable writing, and great use of the DS’s unique features; making it a definite must-get title. So if you are still wondering whether or not Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney should be in your collection, and if you are starting to think that you would probably be better off with any other generic title, there is only one thing I can say to you:

I object!

— Miguel YanezBully: Scholarship Edition takes place in the fictional New England boarding school of Bullworth Academy, and tells the story of 15-year-old Jimmy Hopkins as he experiences the highs and lows of adjusting to a new school. Capturing the hilarity and awkwardness of adolescence perfectly, Bully: Scholarship Edition pulls the player into its cinematic and engrossing world. Universally acclaimed upon first release, Bully: Scholarship Edition is a genre-crossing action game with a warmth and pathos that is unrivaled.