Novel and different, but can be dull (Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (DS))

Member Name: pcornall

Product:	Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (DS)
Date:	30/08/08 (6 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You get to play a lawyer! Satisfying gameplay at times

Disadvantages: Gets dull due to heavy reliance on dialogue

I was extremely excited when I first heard about this game; I love a bit of court room drama and the idea of playing a lawyer in a computer game is such a novel idea. Thus, I watched my copy of My Cousin Vinny to get in the mood and fired up Phoenix Wright.

The game consists of several scenarios which gradually build on the story of the last and get ever more complicated or difficult. You gather evidence here and there which you can examine in more detail and helps you think through what may have happened (you're a defense lawyer, normally in murder cases).

Now that all probably sounds quite cool and exciting (it did to me at least). But here comes the disappointment - much of the game consists of just reading dialogue boxes. There is reams and reams of the stuff, to the point whereby you just want to skip through it and get on with something interactive. Also, the dialogue itself is definitely better suited to a younger audience, certainally not lower than teens though.

I wanted to play this game for the cut and thrust of the court room, but instead, most of the time is spent reading and going back and forth in a circular way between locations and crime scenes. When you do get into court, the game hots up a bit. It can be extremely satisfying to figure out what are essentially logic puzzles and win you case, presenting the correct and crucial piece of evidence at the right time. However, if you can't figure it out the game becomes quite frustrating. You end up go round and round trying each and every combination of objections and pieces of evidence you have in order to try and move the game forward.

I also found myself wanting to play the role of a prosecuting lawyer much more than defence, although perhaps that says more about me...!

Overall, it's not an awful game at all and is certainally something different and original. It's just a shame it relies so heavily on the player reading so much dialogue.

Summary: A decent distraction for an hour or two, but you better like reading