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The Phoenix Wright trilogy ties up the loose ends.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 11, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations does everything right that it has done in the previous two Phoenix Wright games. However, it doesn't do anything new. The game still features Phoenix Wright, everyone's favorite defense attorney, and the return of some of the wacky characters to bring you another series of cases and the conclusion to the ongoing mystery of Misty Fey and the master of the Kurain Channeling Technique. In addition to wrapping of the Fey story, the game also introduces Prosecutor Godot, a very mysterious prosecutor who somehow seems to know Phoenix. While these continuing storylines do a lot to add to the experience, Trials and Tribulations really does expand on the feeling that Justice for All (the second game in the series) left with me: that it was the same game getting recycled. While the sound still does a very nice job at helping to create atmosphere, the graphics all seem to be copied and pasted and the gameplay is still the same point-and-click that has taken us through two games already. I understand that the entire trilogy was originally made for the GameBoy Advance and that it is, by nature, a point-and-click game, but I don't think that excuses the lack of innovation and effort shown. One positive about Trials is that it does bring back the Magatama, allowing you to press witnesses at the crime scene to discover what they know if they're trying to hide something from you.

Please don't get me wrong: in its own right, Trials and Tribulations is a very good game and a score in the sevens out of a possible ten is nothing to be ashamed of. However, I feel that, with a little more work (i.e. gameplay elements, new or improved graphics, bonus content, etc.), Trials and Tribulations could be a great game instead of just a good one. The fourth installment in the series is being developed from the ground up specifically for the DS. This should keep the series from getting stale, which it is, unfortunately, starting to do. Overall, Trials is a game that should not be missed by any fan of the great Phoenix Wright. If you're just looking to get into this fantasy courtroom series, I highly advise you to play the games in their intended order, as getting into the ongoing storyline should increase your enjoyment of this game all the more.

Overall: 7.6
Gameplay: 7
Graphics: 7
Sound: 8
Value: 8
Tilt: 8

One word; Amazing.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 19, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I know most people out there are into the cliche characters in the video gaming industry; Mario, Peach, Luigi, Donkey Kong, and so forth. But the character I've come to favor the most is... Phoenix Wright! To be honest, I bought the first game because it was 1. Cheap (20 bucks!) and 2. Sounded cool. I've always been into law shows so I figured it might be a decent game at best, but what happened on accident has become a complete infatuation with the series. Capcom really out did themselves on the Phoenix Wright series as they allow players to be both detective and defense attorney while interweaving it with truly fascinating and compelling story lines. Trials and Tribulation consists of 5 cases, 2 relatively short ones, 2 normal length ones, and one giant case. Most would think this kind of game would be a breeze, but I liken it to something of an RPG where you have to bide your time to "level up" (in this case, investigate) so you can take on a "boss" (or.. Godot in this game). T.T. took me a great length of time to play and beat, which I couldn't be more pleased because in reality, cases don't just blow by. I though that T.T. was the best in the series because it goes back to basics and returns what made the first two games in the series so enjoyable to play; a charismatic protagonist, interesting supporting characters, fantastic game play, seemingly impossible to defend cases, and so forth. The difference is, this time around, 3 of the cases are tied together, enabling the player to see a greater picture of Phoenix's world and those around him. If possible, anybody with a DS must get this and the other games in the series... hundreds of thousands of people can't possibly be wrong!

The best in the Series!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 21, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Out of the entire phoenix wright game series, this is probably the best game through out (and the most violent). The new antagonist, Godot, can get a bit annoying after a while though. Otherwise, I have no complaints about this game!

Love It ! !

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 23, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Okay I usually don't do this,but if your a fan of the phoenix wright games,I highly recommend this one,this one is my favorite on so far,I just moved on to Apollo Justice,they can be a bit talky at times but it's GOOD,really like the story line.

Best of all!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 13, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This is the best of the Phoenix Wrights, I did love the other 2 as well but this one is just superb. I am not finished just yet, I am still in case number 4 and I believe there are 5 cases total. I am definetely going to miss Phoenix Wright, I ended up purchasing the new Apollo Justice, I just hope is as good as this one. I definetely recomend this game.

4.5; a fun "game"

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 18, 2008
Author: Amazon User

With the Nintendo DS still being a unique handheld found on the market, the type of games can be a little diverse and some range from rhythm (Elite Beat Agents), FPS's (Metroid Prime Hunters), minigame collections (Cooking Mama) or simulation (Nintendogs). Another one that crept up as the more story-based games where it wasn't so much as playing the game but rather having a story unfolded in front of you and knowing how to advance it. Small on gameplay but huge on cutscenes, they're not so much games but more like visual novels and along these lines is the Phoenix Wright series. While still having things to do, it's fairly simple to do and aside from a few gripes, it's still a pretty cool experience.

Story: You play as 2 characters: Mia Fey in the past and 5 years later as Phoenix Wright in the present. Both take on various cases that range from thefts to usually murder and it's up to you to uncover the real culprit behind the crimes.

Graphics: Anime-style with some pleasant character designs and fairly basic interfaces. There isn't a whole lot that's flashy about the look but it easily draws you in. While many complain about Capcom's tendency to reuse graphics and offer little advancements, most using this game as their starter won't have much issue with the graphics.

Sound/Music: The music was quite pleasant and even reminded me of old Gameboy scores with that midi-synthesized type score. The voice acting is incredibly minimal, only offering "objection!", "take that!" and "hold it!".

Gameplay: When I first bought a DS, one of the first games I beat was a game called "Trace Memory" which had a similar story-centered play and while a bit more involved with gameplay mechanics than Phoenix Wright, you could tell the emphasis was more on the presentation of the story than anything. There is a lot of dialogue but the cases are quite intriguing and it's fun being inside your own Law and Order episode. Forgiving the fact that witnesses can frequently perjure themselves without being held in contempt or getting added a new charge, there's plenty of twists to the cases and even in some where you can figure out who the culprit is, being able to lay the proverbial smackdown is a treat.

My gripes are two-fold: some of the evidence you have to present can usually only apply to specific statements (usually around 5) so presenting the bloody knife to statement 2 seems reasonable but you really have to present an autopsy report to 4 even though the knife would've been more than adequate. Some of it is a little vague as well and most of the solutions were usually something beyond what you thought that you kind of go "oh yeah, obviously I would've thought of that". For example, one statement stumped me for a long time and it was only later that I found out that it had something to do with the color of the evidence which wasn't something that even crossed my mind. Another complaint is that during the investigation phase, you might find progress impeded and you can't figure out how to advance and it's only by presenting a certain piece of evidence that something will happen so I found it was just best to present every thing I had to everybody.

Despite many gripes and frequent dead ends, the game became quite addicting and even when I turned the game off in frustration, I always kept staring at the DS in hopes that the next time I'll get it. It's intriguing storyline wise but gameplay wise it's just serviceable.

Highly Addictive

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: September 02, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Excellent game; I actually didn't think it'd be this fun knowing it's a "lawer game" and that you had to read every dialogue. I'm not what you may call "a reader". Each character is very distinguishing so your mind will quickly add voice and you'll know who's speaking without reading the name. This made me read everything at a fast pace, and I don't usually read as fast.

Each game (or volume) is broken into several cases... each are nice and long. It keeps you engaged with very interesting and different characters. You have the ability to roam around to the crime scene, detention center, nearby areas, law offices, police stations, etc.. in order to talk with people and collect clues. You can also examine items closely by riding your gameboy DS pen across the screen to flip and turn it<-- this feature comes in the later games. You can interact with objects and use them, like using a metal detector in the fields or talking to a parrot in order for it to give you the security code.

My two favorite features...
One, you get to choose what to say... you're often given the chance to select what you'll say next (by the choices that pop up on the screen). That can make the person you're talking to feel bad or good (depending on what you say), it can penalize you when in court.. that is if you say or present something you shouldnt've.. god forbid you get penalized too often.. you'll lose the case. And also, many characters are very humorous and witty with what they say, so it's not so blah. I was laughing at a lot of remarks. I enjoyed the bit of comedy they threw in there.
Two, the characters in each case don't just come and go. They'll reappear, mostly because you've had past connection or have created new ones as the game continues. There's like a subplot that follows the actual plot with the case, and that's with the characters personal life. For instance, the defense attorney Phoenix Wright (you, the main character) would defend the accused who would be, coincidentally, Larry.. Phoenix's buddy, an old classmate. Next case, Larry would return to testify as a witness. Renewing characters is a good idea because you'll feel connected with them and end up rooting for a couple and feel like you can count on so-and-so to give you the dish on the suspect,etc.. or like you'll count on the bad guy to do what he always does but there are times where he'd switch it up on you and that shock is sureal and thrilling that you'll feel like you're in the game. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of new characters to keep each case fresh and intriguing. Plenty of new interesting characters.

As for the replay value... Some people say that there is none.. only because you went through turbulence to solve and win the case that you'll remember your steps. (I'm exaggerating when I say "turbulence".) That may be true... if you frickin' replay the game right after finishing it. I joke. It depends on your memory and how long you wait until replaying it and how difficult the case was to begin with... But when you follow the subplots sometimes going back will help you understand the character's story..
I love this game! Get it!

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