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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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Best of Series

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 15, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I personally own the whole series (the game got me hooked since the first AA came out), and I believe that this part of the series had the best story of them all. I thought that the other storylines and personalities created in the other three were fantastic, but this one had the most colorful and dramatic characters of them all, imo. Godot with his coffee addiction, Phoenix with his usual goofiness, and just everyone else within the game. You learn a lot more details that were left out in part 1 (Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, and you're practically drawn into a deeper storyline within this one.

I highly recommend the whole series without a doubt. I myself will be looking forward to the new Prosecutor series coming out along with the new Ace Attorney.

i cant believe it's over

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: April 12, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I was so sad to end this game. I made sure i dragged out the 5th case!

So, yes. What can i say? Obviously if you have the other 2 games then get this one too! i think they should definately be played in order otherwise you wont enjoy them as much. Getting to play Mia was amazing, even though her cases werent very long. Getting to play the other character (even though it's been revealed here who it is, i wont say) was even more amazing because that person is my favourite character. And new characters were very funny like the deluded detective 'Luke Atmey' (i liked the play on words with his name) and coffee obsessed Godot. although i wasnt sure of him at first. He wasnt so bad once i learned his story. The 5th and final case was absolutely amazing! It would be easy to get confused with that storyline but because it was so well written, any confusion was short lived and it all became very clear what was going on. And that's the key with the Phoenix Wright games, they are brilliantly written. I hope the Apollo Justice games are the same too. I will be playing that soon enough i'm sure!

Now, never before have i had to use 'walkthrough help' with these games, but on the 5th case, i did a tiny bit. but once i used it, i realised that i should of worked out what evidence needed presenting, so i was peeved at myself! So, at last, the game ended, and i got a bit choked to be honest. I have so enjoyed been in Phoenix's world, meeting Maya and Pearl and Mia and detective Gumshoe (a fab character) and Miles Edgeworth and the one who has been there causing trouble at some point in every game Larry Butz! He creases me up all the time. I shall definately miss all of them, and will enjoy re-playing the games forever! I just hope i can rely on Apollo Justice to bring some more characters i will love. Bye Phoenix and the gang. Thanks for the hours of enjoyment i had in your world. :)

An excellent continuation of the series

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 06, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I have not yet played through all five cases, but so far it's everything that's good about Phoenix Wright: interesting twists and turns, entertaining characters and that great feeling of being on a roll as you poke yet another hole in the witnesses' testimony. In the second game I felt the music was not as strong as the original, but number three is a return to form with much catchier tunes...

If you've played the other two you may feel the first case holds your hand a little too much, but it never becomes genuinely annoying.

No further objections.

Best DS game so far

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: March 30, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This is probably the best DS game I have played so far; here is why:
-A very involved storyline that keeps you continually interested yet not confused
-Easy controls and directions in the courtroom and during investigations
-The anime-type graphics are awesome even if you aren't into anime
-The characters are awesome
-The different cases are so interesting, it almost makes you want to become a lawyer...and i'm serious
Basically this game is very fun and it keeps you guessing but not to the point of confusion. It's one of those games where YOU WILL get stuck, but not so stuck that you'll never play it again because, trust me, you will want so bad to continue. I have gotten stuck three times so far and I am on the second episode out of 5 or 6 (can't remember how many there are). Let me tell you why I didn't rush to a walkthru when I was stuck: You get so into the story that you really wanna figure out which piece of evidence to use yourself because when you do, it feels SO rewarding because it's not an easy game, but it isn't too hard either, it's just right. I did get stuck to the point where I HAD to check a site cuz I was so confused, but this doesn't frequently happen. Usually you can figure it out if you rethink the story and the crime and evidence. The fact that this game has many episodes, each of which is of a rather generous length, is a great point of why it is good for it's money because by the time it's over you probably will want to replay it and plus it takes so long (not in a bad way) to finish one episode that it lasts you a while, unless of course you play it non-stop. It is not addicting, but you will want to keep enjoying it. It is one of the best adventure games I've ever played and the best adventure game I've played on DS. It's totally worth the money and murder-mystery/law game/law tv show fans will love it. It is super fun. I know my review may sound confusing, but trust me, this is an AWESOME GAME!! Anyone with a ds should have it in their collection of games!

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