Review: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials & Tribulations
Point-and-click adventure games have always been a favorite of mine, and with its touch screen, the Nintendo DS would seem to be the perfect platform for them. Hence, the joyous glee I enjoy every time Capcom releases another game in the Ace Attorney series. Next year will bring us an all new Ace Attorney in Apollo Justice, but what about Phoenix Wright? How does everyone's favorite spiky-haired legal eagle fare in his swan song? The trilogy comes to a smashing close in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials & Tribulations, with details after the jump!
Story
Trials & Tribulations starts out a little differently than the other games in the series, with Phoenix Wright in court... but as the accused! In between solving cases as Wright in the present, you will try cases as the late Mia Fey in the past. And in the end, all the plot threads from all the cases are tied together in a grand finale that brings a fitting end to the trilogy. Also, characters from the previous games make cameo and featured appearances throughout the cases, offering a bit of fan service to loyal players.
Audio
Sound effects are limited to gavel bangs and the occasional "Objection!" or "Hold it!" from the attorneys, but as always, the music is fantastic. Themes from the earlier titles are back, plus great new tunes. My favorite would have to be the sexy jazz riff that plays when Godot has something saucy to say as he sips his coffee.
Graphics
It's a point-and-click adventure game with still screens, firmly set in the two dimensions. But backgrounds are nicely detailed, and there are some clever tricks used during cut scenes to give them some more motion. Although character animation is again limited, it's still expressive, and the character designs are terrific. In fact, Gumshoe has been replaced in my heart by the sexy Diego Armando. I'd be his "kitten" anytime! Rowr! (But the less said about French chef Jean Armstrong the better. I mean, the Ace Attorney series has always had some feminine-looking guys in it, but he goes above and beyond!)
Gameplay
As with the previous titles, gameplay is divided between investigations and trials. While investigating, you move from location to location, interrogating witnesses and suspects, breaking psyche-locks on those who refuse to come clean. There's really nothing new at all, aside from a brief scene where you use a metal detector. Still, if it ain't broke, I guess you don't have to fix it. The only sticking points come when you know what the problem is with a testimony, but can't seem to find the right combination of statement and evidence to produce the contradiction and move the story along.
Final Thoughts
No, it's not even remotely realistic as far as a representation of any kind of legal system, and infusing supernatural elements into the cases can make them even harder to figure out, but the hallmark of a Phoenix Wright adventure is how much fun you have solving the mysteries. Trials & Tribulations blends intriguing plots, hilarious comedy, touching moments and a heaping helping of fan service to bring the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney trilogy to a fantastic close. Now we'll just have to see if the new guy can measure up!
Wootini
Posted to Hot Stuff, Video Games on 12 November 2007
· Comments (3)
Other stuff like this: ds, nintendo, Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations, review
I also loved this game, and I'm sorta sad that I won't be in Phoenix's shoes anymore, but anyways, awesome game! Oh yes, the sexy jazz riff is sweetness.
If you're looking for the sexy jazz piece, I found an album of songs from Gyakuten Saiben orchestrated. Godot's song is featured as a sax solo and it is wonderful.
If you want a copy of the song, e-mail me and I'll send you one.
crap, I forgot to include my e-mail addy. it's willi335@potsdam.edu