Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Review (no fat)

Game Description

It's murder mystery and intense courtroom action time for the Dual Screen. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney brings back elements of text based games that used logic and a linear format to arrive at solutions.

Although point and click games have embraced heavy duty graphics and animated sequences to negate the monotonous approach of this genre, Phoenix Wright sticks to the basics and relies on static images and plenty of text to carry the tale forward.

The game has Phoenix Wright, a lawyer who has just earned his license to practice law, taking on his first case - a murder. The initial case acclimatizes you to the legal ways. Here you have to crack a case with the law firm supremo, Mia Fey, educating you. The game has five cases to solve and each one is rich, diverse and capable of testing logic and reasoning.

There are a host of characters that Phoenix interacts with and the touch screen provides all possible options that Phoenix has at his disposal at the time. Being a defence attorney, Phoenix has to investigate and interrogate a lot of people on his way to protecting his client from wrong court judgements. There are plenty of obstacles in the form of lying witnesses and corrupt lawyers who can complicate your case, so you better watch out.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Gameplay

The Dual Screen displays anime style art in the top window and these sequences and scenes are used effectively to narrate the tale. The touch screen is where questions and options pop up and you select appropriate options with a tap. Animation is minimal and is restricted to limited character movements. The game also employs the services of the DS' microphone as you can use your voice to issue commands. A sweet addition to an intriguing game.

Trial sequences have all the courtroom elements that make them intense. Witness testimonials are biased and need to be cross-examined and put through the shredder. Cracking a case requires a bit of reasoning, negating false statements and investigation. While objecting to statements, be careful though, you get penalized for factual errors and unwarranted obstruction in the flow of justice. Get penalized five times and you've lost your case.

As Phoenix Wright, it's your duty to be firm in your cross-questioning and to use every means at your disposal to get a witness to break down and admit that they've given a false testimony. Witnesses don't give in that easily and you'll have to be extra cautious not to succumb to frustrations and end up objecting to the wrong statements. You'll have to take the courtroom scenes with a pinch of salt at times, as the action sometimes drift towards fantasy rather than courtroom reality.

The game's strong point is the innovative use of the touch screen to supplement the format of the game. The minimalist approach, which might have destroyed many a game, works well for this one.

To sum up the gameplay, its all about getting a case, doing your investigation, gathering evidence, heading to the courtroom for a trial sequence, cross-questioning, arguments and counterarguments and all the trials and tribulations that one can endure within the four walls of a courtroom.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Graphics and Sound

The game employs manga style stills and sequences with a minimalist approach to animation. The lack of cut scenes is compensated for by the well thought out story line and the sequences of images that act as the narrative. The game doesn't test the DS' graphics capability but it makes full use of the touch screen and voice capabilities to provide an intuitive user interface that simplifies the gaming process. The sound effects are sweet and perfect for the game.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – the Verdict

The game utilizes a long gone genre of gaming that was popular during the pre-graphics computing era. The linear approach to problem solving is implemented well and the rich storyline guarantees that the game will not bore the socks off a player. The murder mystery elements and courtroom sequences are implemented well and the game's graphical elements add a touch of humour to an otherwise serious game. The fact that you can yell out simple orders like HOLD IT to get an action done, is sweet.

Although the game is originally intended for a Japanese audience, the developers have successfully ported and packaged it for an international audience with the pendulum swinging more towards the West than the East.

This will not be a title that a gamer might rate high on the repeated play factor but for those gamers who love logic and mystery and don't mind a point and click approach to gaming, this game has some value.

Cost

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney retails at $29.99