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I know the characters, I know their motivations, I miss them already!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 11
Date: November 07, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I just finished "Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations." The biggest complaint I have so far is how much I miss the characters after 14 episodes!

The first game had 5 cases, including a bonus case made specifically for the DS. After searching many reviews and finding no answer, I feel inclined to tell you this game has no such feature either. However, it does have 5 well written and very suspenseful cases.

The story begins 5 years ago with Phoenix Wright on trial for murder, represented by his soon-to-be mentor Mia Fey. The trial takes a surprising turn and ends up throwing into motion all of the next few cases in the game.

The cases involve the mentioned case against Phoenix Wright as a college art student, a heinous villain known as MaskDeMasque who is terrorizing the city with thefts of precious treasures (done with excellent murder mystery style characters, including a hybrid Sherlock Holmes/Backstreet boy.) and a poisoning with a well loved accident prone policewoman.

You get nearly every character from the previous games here. Maya Fey, Mia's younger sister with the powers of a medium, Pearl Fey, a feisty 9 year old with romantic delusions about Phonix and Maya, Prosecutor Franciska Von Karma with her trademark whip, Wise Mia Fey in her ghost form and younger self, and all the other characters you know well.

I don't want to spoil anything, but if you played the previous two games and loved the characters this game be at the top of your list. Strapped for cash? Take Detective Gumshoe's advice, "Just buy freeze dried noodles and hang in there!" Buying freeze dried noodles would be a great way to save up to pick up this gem, and you'll have hours of time spent with characters you love. You won't want to leave them behind.

Best of the 3 games!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: November 12, 2007
Author: Amazon User

If you are thinking about purchasing this game you've probably played the first two already...if not...go play them immediately. While you do not necessarily have to play them in order, the numerous surprises in this game are much bigger if you do. I don't want to say much as to spoil anything, but I will say that each game is known for its amazing final case- and the final case of this game is the most thrilling case of all. For that alone I would recommend this game. The characters are quirky and memorable, and the script is absolutely hilarious. However, if you like drama, there is plenty of that too.
I'm really going to miss these characters, but I can't wait for the release of the 4th game!

Great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 10
Date: November 15, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I have played the other 2 Phoenix Wright games and loved them and I love this one as well. Alot of reading and figuring out the clues but I enjoy these types of games and cant wait for the 4th game to come out!

One of the DS's Finest

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: November 30, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Most people who look at the Phoenix Wright series smile in an odd way, and brush it off. A natural mistake, but a mistake all the same. There is a certain stigma that comes with being a radically different game- people assume that because it tries something new, it is only a gimmick, without a solid game behind it.

They could not be more wrong. Likeable characters, simple yet great gameplay mechanics, and superb writing make this a DS must-own. In this third installment, everything is brought to closure. Characters you remember from the previous games will pop up to add warm nostalgia, and proving just as clever and entertaining as when you first met them, if not more so. The trials are even better than before, and the new prosecution attorney is amazing, and an absolute joy to match wits with.

Though it isn't absolutely necessary, you should try to get the original two first. Not only are they excellent, but the little inside jokes and nostalgia will make Trials and Tribulations all the more sweet.

I highly recommend this to anyone with a DS. Unique, fun, and clever.

A magnificent finish

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: December 04, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations is the third game in the Ace Attorney series. As it is the final game to be ported from the original Gameboy Advance games, not to mention the fact that the next game will feature a new lawyer as the ace attorney, this game serves as a closing point of the original trilogy. Here you will meet all the familiar faces of the series, including Maya and Pearl, Detective Gumshoe, and Miles Edgeworth. You'll also meet some new faces, most significantly the mysterious new prosecutor, Godot. An added bonus is that two of the five cases allow you to play Mia in her rookie attorney days. Additionally, you'll get a chance to play a third attorney late in the game (although I won't ruin the surprise and say who it is).

This game plays like the other two; you'll need to question witnesses, break through their lies, and then find the truth on the stand to clear your client of guilt. While the second game introduced the innovation of the psyche lock - a feature that is available again here - Trials and Tribulations focuses mostly on story innovations, specifically the chance to play as Mia in a shifting narrative. The cases are more heavily connected than before, to the point where you'll be finding clues for the final case in the opening scenes.

As with the other games of the series, the defining feature of Trials and Tribulations is its unique style of storytelling and presentation. Over the top characters and situations abound, and Phoenix will find himself constantly over his head as you yell "Objection!" into the microphone out of blind faith alone. As it advances, though, Trials and Tribulations gets a touch more serious than previous installments. Almost all of the loose ends from previous games come together here, as we get a final send-off to the original group of games that became a cult phenomenon. There's still a tutorial for new players, but those who are familiar with the series will get the most mileage here. As a stand alone game, Trials and Tribulations is excellent. As a wrap-up to the series, it is an epic finale to one of the best video game franchises ever. The only problem is bidding farewell to the characters that likely won't make the jump over to the Apollo Justice line of games. Fortunately, by the time you've finished playing through this third game, your memory of the first one might just be fuzzy enough to make it worth going back to the beginning...

Phoenix's Last Stand

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: December 06, 2007
Author: Amazon User

First off, let me start by saying how much I love Phoenix Wright -- and not just the series, but the character as well. He's somehow wormed his way into my affections and I love him to death; I'm so very sad that this is his last hurrah.

And what a hurrah it is. Filled with long (long, long) cases, this game is no light-weight. It's overflowing with storylines and plots which are much more personal than any other case before, except for maybe the Edgeworth case.

You learn about Phoenix; you learn about Mia; you learn about Mia and Maya's mysterious mother. All secrets are told, here in this last, epic game. You get to play, for the first time, as other people -- both Mia and Edgeworth (though his playability is limited)! Mia, I had expected, but Edgeworth? Now that was pretty awesome!

The storylines are very twisted; so complex and well-thought out! There are 5 cases this time around, though still no special DS case like Ace Attorney gave us. While this may be disappointing to some, I found that I could really care less.

Some old characters reappear, though many of them are new. They're just as lively and unique as the others, however, so you have nothing to fear.

The game is relatively the same in general, however. It still has the same flaws, in that it's pretty easy to get stuck and not know where to go from a certain point. If you're stubborn like me, and refuse to look up for a guide, then you may be messing around for a long time.

Also, there's the old grudge of sometimes presenting the wrong piece at the wrong time, despite knowing what you want to say. Yes, it's annoying. Yes, it can suck. Yes, it can make you want to pound your DS into the floor, or something of the like.

The cases, as I mentioned before, take on a much more personal meaning to Phoenix this time around. Like in Ace Attorney, where the evidence in the first case comes back to haunt Phoenix in the second, three of these cases are connected and linked. It makes for a very interesting story altogether and keeps you pulled in more, I think.

In all, this game was great. I played it happily and sadly, knowing it was the last game with Phoenix as its protagonist. If you've played any of the other two games, you should DEFINITELY purchase this one as well. It follows the same guidelines, but doesn't just bring new cases to the table. It really gives you a feel for the characters you've gotten to know and love over the past two games.

Give it a shot; this game deserves at least that much, if not your total adoration.

Same graphics, same sounds...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: December 11, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Nothing has changed. If you've played 1 & 2, you've seen it all already. When a company like Capcom can blatantly use rehashed graphics, sounds & music and still make a game that, IMHO, is one of the most entertaining experiences ever on the DS, that tells you what a great writing team they have at the helm. Puns, name play & inside jokes galore. I'm not even going to mention the French chef.
I'm sorry to hear that this is the end of the "Phoenix Wright" series, but I have faith that the new group coming in No. 4 will be a host of all new characters to warm, entertain, enlighten and annoy the living hell out of us for years to come. Long live Phoenix Wright!

From a Mom's perspective

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 20 / 21
Date: December 16, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I am actually reviewing the whole Phoenix Wright series here. My son loves these games and I have to say they are the most involved and interesting games I've seen yet. He'll spend hours going over 'cases' and has even gone online to research law. It's sparked his interest in having a career in the criminal justice field as well. I can hear him saying "object" into the mic on the DS sometimes! I've taken a look at the game myself and really think the graphics are sharp and characters well developed. He'll also listen to just the music sometimes as well. If your child is interested in law, or if you want something more than the usual video game, this may be it. Very clever and I think it's a great mind-expander!

Speechless

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: December 31, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The whole series was unbelievable. I will miss it so much, but still craving for the fourth game. The final case in this game was the most suspenseful of all. I defiantly recommend this series to your DS game library for it is one of the finest!

More of the same (and thats a GREAT thing).

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: January 13, 2008
Author: Amazon User

If you've never played a Phoenix Wright game before, I suggest you start with the first one if possible, and works forward to this. I say that because the story is kind of a wrap up to the series, and its more enjoyable if you know what all happened in the previous two games.

For those not in the know, you play a defense attorney in murder cases and you spend half the "game" investigating, and the other half in the courtroom defending.

I say "game" cause its more of a choose your own adventure book/point and click adventure game hybrid and you spend most of your time reading than doing anything else.

If that sounds incredibly boring to you, well... it very well might be. But I urge one and all to give it a chance anyway because what could be the dullest sounding thing in the world is saved by some of the best writing in video game history.

Simply put, this games script is pheonomenal.

The characters and situations are all interesting, charming, and incredibly funny. There are so many laugh out loud moments in this game whether it be the Canadian Judge who isn't sure how he feels about ANYTHING, or the extremely effeminate but incredibly big and muscular French Chef who constantly refers to himself as a woman, or the always hilarious Larry Butz. So many great parts with Larry, I can't even begin to describe all of them (wait till you see his "art"). You also get references to Midi-Chlorians (Star Wars), celebrity tabloid couples, and that stupid "Milkshake" song.

Don't get me wrong, the game is NOT at all loaded with pop culture references, but there's just enough hidden in there that every one of them takes you by surprise and makes you burst out laughing.

I don't know who's responsible for the script, whether the Japanese original has all this or if it was just the work of an INCREDIBLE localization team, but I can say without hesitation that this particular game is by a HUGE margin the funniest one of the three. And those other two games were riots.

All of it makes for one heck of a great read.

If you're looking for a game with action, there's always Contra 4. If you're looking for something thats nice to relax to and will make you laugh out loud, Phoenix Wright is your man.

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