Lawrence.com

While it can at times be laughably unrealistic, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a solid addition to the ever-growing library of good DS titles. The game is essentially a text-based adventure with a point-and-click interface (with some minor use of the DS microphone). This is "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego" in a courtroom, and it works well for Nintendo's portable.

Input almost exclusively involves the stylus, but this isn't one of those games that could only be done on the DS. It could have been pulled off on the PSP or any home console, substituting a D-pad selection system in place of the stylus. You start the game with Phoenix Wright's first trial, in which you represent your best friend Larry Butz in a murder trial. Your job is to collect and analyze the evidence that witnesses present in an effort to prove your client innocent. The prosecution will bring witnesses to the stand that claim to have evidence against your client, and it's your job to spot inconsistencies in their testimony. Going to the Court Records sub-menu will let you look at all of the acquired evidence. If you find a piece of evidence that contradicts the witness' testimony, you can either click Present or hold the Y button and say "Take that!" or "Objection!" into the microphone.

Here's where one of the games weaknesses comes into play. You can find several pieces of evidence that clearly show that the witness is telling a bold-faced lie and the judge will constantly give them the benefit of the doubt. At this point, the judge will let the witness go over their entire testimony again, changing very important facts. Obviously, no respectable court system in the world would allow something like this to occur. If you're going to play Phoenix Wright, make sure you put any expectation of realism aside before you start.

The first trial is almost exclusively set in the courtroom, but later chapters will involve traveling to different locations. You'll go to the scene of the crime, and you'll visit important figures in the case and try to get important info out of them. All of the later chapters are significantly longer and more involved than the initial Larry Butz trial. As you progress, you'll be revisited by several characters you've met earlier in the game. These characters are almost always interesting, and well-designed, and their dialogue at times can be genuinely funny. One of my favorite aspects of the game is the Street Fighter-esque "VS." screen that pops up when you cross-examine. It's funny to see this in a courtroom setting, considering it's almost exclusively used for Japanese fighting games.

It's important to note that the game is entirely linear, which may be one of its biggest faults. There are really no alternate routes you can take in terms of collecting evidence and defending your client. In this regard, there is very little replay value, despite the fact that it's a lengthy game. Despite this complaint, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is worth checking out if you're even remotely into text-based adventure games.

Graphics: B

Sound: B

First Play: B+

Last Play: B-

Gameplay: B

Overall: 83% B