Sunday 17 Sep 2006

Phoenix Wright is a rookie defence lawyer. This game sees him taking on five cases, in which players will defend clients accused of murder. You will investigate crime scenes, cross-examine witnesses in an attempt to find any contradictory statements which you will demand further explanations for and identify applicable evidence to support your conclusions in an attempt to render a not guilty verdict for your client in court.

This game displays a lot of writing but the cunning humour and manga-style feel to the game make it less serious and more entertaining. You can yell ‘objection!’ into your DS when you find something contradictory, but if you are feeling on the shy side, pressing a button will achieve the same goal. However, Phoenix’s wry sense of humour and sarcasm will have you chuckling to yourself anyway, so it is better to throw away any sense of self respect you may harbour and just embrace the game, holding nothing back, because you will enjoy it much more.

Nintendo’s use of the touch screen in this game is amazing. You use it to investigate crime scenes, question witnesses on the witness stand, identify applicable evidence and present this evidence to the court. You even get to piece together evidence using your stylus, as well conduct fingerprinting to further your case. I was playing this game at work one day when I had to tap the screen with the stylus to put the fingerprint powder on and then blow to disperse it and reveal the fingerprint – well, I think I turned a deep shade of beetroot red because my work colleagues were probably wondering why I was blowing at the screen of this little machine.

Phoenix Wright is not like any game I have ever played before. I must admit I was sceptical at first, but the storyline draws you in and you may find yourself putting in a day or two of sick leave to get your client off the hook. The game uses simple graphics but the anime-styled characters, although animated minimally, are effective. The music is unique and I think its original sound added to the gameplay.

I already have the follow up (Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice for all) on pre-order.

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Contributor:	Lisa

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