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Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2006)

Certificate 7

Average rating

(72%)

Developers:	CAPCOM
Genres:	Adventure \| Role-playing
Number of players:	1
Released:	July 07, 2007

You play the role of Phoenix Wright, a young lawyer straight from the bar. Mr Wright's first case is a murder trial in defence of his best friend, Larry Butz. This part of the game is basically a tutorial which guides you through various courtroom procedures by law firm chief Mia Fey. Each of the game's five cases begins in the same way. You are treated to a cut-scene that shows both the events of the murder and also the actual killer. The idea of the game is not just about finding out who the murderer is, it is also about how you bring him or her to justice. The events surrounding the case always end up leading to the false accusations of innocent witnesses, and so, as a defence attorney, it is up to young Phoenix to get a not guilty verdict. There are various obstacles in your way, which include: lying witnesses, crooked prosecutors and a judge who at times makes up his own rules.

Many of the visuals appear on the top screen of the DS, which works well. For most of the gameplay, the lower screen finds itself used for text. You have to tap it at the end of each line to get to the next one. The touch screen is also used to select answers from multiple choices, to find locations and scroll through menus. You can also use the DS microphone in certain situations. One example is when pressing a witness during questioning, this is done by shouting "Hold it!" into the microphone. This is both enjoyable and effective. The graphics throughout the game are simple but efficient. It is clear to see how the characters are feeling and the way they are depicted is realistic (for example, the movement of mouths and bodies).

Overall, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is game that really does make the most of the DS touch screen and its microphone functionality.

Screenshots

Highest rated reviews

6 out of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4 stars
Surprising

MissHYip from from London, 27th May, 2008

I agree with the previous review, I was sceptical about how fun this could be, but after my sister raved about it and had played all four games, I decided to give it a go too. It's surprising how fun being in court can be! This should be seen more as a puzzle/ mystery game because you have to also go around different locations looking for evidence that may help in court, and then choosing the right piece of evidence at the right time can be frustratingly difficult! There can be too much pointless dialogue at times, but the characters are really fun and inventive. I found it a very good game to play on the tube to and from work! Also, it's deceivingly longer than you anticipate, which is always good!

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3 out of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4 stars
Bizzare!!!

Kags from from Lancaster, 27th September, 2008

I enjoyed this game. If you like to have to think a bit in a game then this is one to try. I would recommend that you save your game as you go along, if you have made the correct presentations that is. If you dont, then you may find yourself at the beggining of the chapter, which could mean that you forget what you presented and where. My only problem with this game was it can get a bit tedious when reviewing the witness testimonies, this can be very wordy at times. However, I will be trying out the other games in this series.

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2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4 stars
Spiky-haired lawyer...fun...!!?

daftdracula from from Glasgow, 3rd March, 2008

Truly bizarre adventure game in which you play the role of Phoenix Wright, rookie lawyer in an effort to prove your clients not guilty and other explosive and socially inept characters guilty for crimes they so obviously DID commit. I was dubious about how much fun a game about law could be and while at times it can seem tediously long-winded and very linear, the amount of enjoyment you'll experience using the collected evidence to sway the court is frightening. Maybe I should go into law and get my rocks off that way.

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Most recent reviews

Rated 5 stars
It changed my life!!

Ditto9 from from Sunderland, UK, 3rd February, 2010

The Ace Attorney series of games was one I wasn't too bothered about to start with. I enjoyed Capcom games as a whole, but had not bothered to look into their DS series about a spikey-haired lawyer. But when I finally borrowed this game, the first of a current series of 5, I was hooked immediatlely. I could hardly stand to put it down, and when I finished it, I was straight out the door looking for the second installment, Justice for All. It's an amazing mystery game, with some great plot twists, amazing characters, beautiful sprite animation, fantastic music and despite an incredibly linear storyline, one of the most addictive games I've played. I would suggest buying or renting it whilst you can. Any fan of the series will tell you how hard the games are to obtain, myself included. It took me around 7 months to get the first three, and then another three months on top to acquire the fourth installment - Apollo Justice Ace Attorney. Rare games, but well worth the money. I give this 5 stars on account of how it is now on of my favourite games of all time.

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