How could a text based game about trial law turn out so good??......TAKE THAT!!!!
Cons: So much text you could probably make a novel out of it; totally linear; too much length between save points
If you could take any elements that would form a terrible game it would more than likely be text......a courtroom....and anime-ish themes. But somehow Capcom has taken these elements and done the exact opposite. In the game you play a defense attorney named Phoenix Wright; where you take on seemingly impossible cases to win but through justice and evidence gathering you reach the truth. Phoenix Wright which had alot of things going against it turns out to be the most charming....and arguably the best game for the DS.
The gameplay for Phoenix Wright is so simple you can pretty much sum it up in a few sentences, but it's how you have to use the gameplay elements that makes it so intriguing. There are basically two parts to the game much like the show Law & Order, there's an evidence gathering period and a trial period. During evidence gathering you will go around to various locations that deal with the case you are investigating, and you will gather physical evidence as well as talk to witnesses and deal with police etc.... all of this evidence gathering is talking is done with a menu that you use your stylus to utilize...when you come to a location you're given 4 options.. (TALK)...(PRESENT).....(EXAMINE)...and (MOVE).....the first and last options are pretty self explanatory...where you press talk to talk to witnesses in the area and gather important clues for their testimony...and when your ready to move to another location... (PRESENT) is alil more complex in that in order to incite certain reactions from certain people you'll need to present some sort of evidence to them to keep the story going...which brings about one of the flaws of the game, in that it's all on a totally linear path...there are no alternate routes to solving the cases....you basically have to sit and figure out what you have to do before you can progress. (EXAMINE) will basically lay out your location flat and you have a cursor that you can run over and spot to examine for physical clues pertaining to the case. The next major aspect for gameplay is in the courtroom. This is where things really heat up as witnesses will take the stand; and you'll find contradictions in their testimony through the physical evidence you discovered or by pressing them and making them explain further to bring out holes in their logic. Testimony is the true heart of the game, as this is where you have to do all of your deductive reasoning to reach a "Not Guilty" verdict. What really makes the game engaging is it's storylines for the cases. The cases will keep you intrigued from beginning to end, there are 5 cases in all....and cases 3-5 will take up most of your time and puzzle solving. Certain gameplay elements in case 5 are exclusive to the cases...like taking fingerprints and examining evidence from a 360 degree angle which are a blast to enjoy. The save system honestly is probably the biggest flaw of the game. If you want to save your progress; especially in the latter cases; you better be able to invest alot of time between save points. Because all of your progress you make will be for naught if you cant make it to the end of a chapter where all of the save points are located.
The graphics for the game are superb...from the wonderfully put together cut scenes at the beginning of the episodes to the characters that are portrayed in the game. The look of the game really draws you in and the colors are well used especially for the lighting in the cutscenes.
The music and sound of the game is where the game falls to mediocrity. While the music and sound really doesnt take away from the game; doesn't as much as the graphics and gameplay does either. Basically when there's intense moments you'll here intense music and when it's laid back you'll hear laid back music. One of the coolest features from this department is the simple yet intriguing dialogue which is three phrases, "OBJECTION"... "TAKE THAT".... "HOLD IT"...when you or the prosecutor presents evidence or presses a witness the phrase will be uttered or yelled and is quite catchy...you'll find yourself running around the house yelling OBJECTION to people...so that's pretty cool
Basically there's no real reason to play through this game more than once. So even though the game is a blast and the cases are incredible after one play you might just put the cartidge up to never be played again. But the game is so intriguing the first time through that it's impossible not to recommend this game to anyone that loves great characters...deductive reasoning ....or a great story...if even 1 of those three elements appeals to you then go pick up a copy today, you wont be dissappointed