DS: Phoenix Wright Review

Yes I know this is coming little late. With my recent purchase of my Nintendo DS, I've started working on the DS library of quality titles. A game that came out nowhere and created a big fanbase, even though Capcom didn't think it would catch on, is the Phoenix Wright series. The first of the series, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, came out in 2005 and sold very well making the game a rarity causing prices to climb. Eventually, Capcom gave in and reprinted the original so it's not as hard to find.

The story of the game is about a new attorney, Phoenix Wright, who just joined a law firm and is working on his first case. His boss, the very buxom Mia Fey, will guide you through the first case. The game consists of five episodes where a crime has been committed and Phoenix will have to find clues to prove the innocence of his client. While the story starts very tame at first, it develops into a deep storyline that slowly unravels..

The gameplay is a combination of point-and-click adventure with text-based games that are popular in Japan. Aside from touching the screen or pressing a button, there's not much else you'll be doing via controls. Throughout an episode, there are plenty of dialogs to go through and some details will be needed to be remembered later on in the episode. Along with talking to people, there will be times where you have to examine a room/area clicking on certain items in the room to see if they are important to the case. The true "game" comes in the courtroom. Using evidence that has been acquired through interviews and examinations, Phoenix will need to present the specific evidence during the cross examination of a witness to prove that the witness is lying. With the right piece of evidence, the case will become yours eventually leading to a decision of not guilty but pick the wrong evidence too many times, or at the wrong point of the witness testimony, then the judge will become upset finding your client guilty. This is the only time that you can lose at the game. Picking the right evidence can be obvious sometimes but other times, you'll have to really think outside the box. Even if you don't get the connection, a system of trial and error can work as well although you may have to continue once or twice.

A fan of anime will enjoy the graphics of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney since it uses the same style of most anime. Like anime, the characters go into hilarious facial expressions depending on their emotions. There is plenty of detail in the character's design that can be seen when the expressions change. There is very little fluid animation, unlike an anime, with a lot of still shots with the occasional animation here and there.

Music plays a big part in the game just like it should in any courtroom drama. Depending on the scene, the music will go from slow, sad music when discussing the murder to a very fast, exciting pace once Phoenix has the witness against the ropes proving his client is not guilty. There very little when it comes to sound effects and actual voices being used. The infamous "OBJECTION!" said by Phoenix when presenting evidence, has become a staple of the series and used for a variety of parodies.

For a good time with a good storyline, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney will provide a great gaming experience. It's short time and lack of replayabilty that keeps this game from being perfect but it was never designed to be more than a vehicle for a good story.

Score - 8.2/10

- O.G.