User Reviews (1 - 11 of 27)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

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 I understand that the entire trilogy was originally made for the GameBoy Advance and that it is, by nature, a point-and-click game, but I don't think that excuses the lack of innovation and effort shown.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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

Review Page: 1 2 3 Next 

Actions