Another one of the many new game concepts that the DS is the home of, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney places you as a 24-year old Rookie Defense attorney known as, hmmmmmm, let's see here....Oh yeah! Phoenix Wright! This was actually a GBA launch title in Japan 7 years ago, and while it's a little late to the US, or the DS, it came here and it's very, very good.
Gameplay
As I stated earlier, you take on the role of Phoenix Wright, a rookie Defense Lawyer. But this isn't some lame, 3-month long trial that makes you want to beat yourself to death with a shovel when it's done. Instead, you get a fast-paced, cartoon-style trial where tempers flare in the courtroom as you try to prove the defendant's innocence and expose the guilty party in 5 cases (1 of which is exclusive to the DS version, and puts the touch-screen to good use). You will have to listen to witnesses' testimonies and shove the evidence in their faces to expose the truth. In addition to the work in the courtroom, you must work outside of the courtroom as a detective to find anything that the prosecutor and police missed. The storyline is masterfully done, by the way, and it will keep you hooked to the bitter end. Also, while the game is great, it's text interfaced, so RPG and Fighting game junkies might not like it. A few complaints are that the game is only 1-player, and the touch-screen isn't put to good use at all (except for the 5th case) The 4th case is particularly difficult, awesome and sends the storyline flying high (in a good way), but you'll have to find that out for yourself:)
Graphics/Sound
The 2 bitter weak points of the game are, without a doubt, graphics and sound. Since this is a GBA port, and a GBA LAUNCH GAME port at that, the graphics and sound don't measure up as well as they should. The game is completely 2D, and the music, while compelling, is a little 8/16 bitish for me.
Phoenix Wright's first run on the DS is great. Everything from the concept to the storyline is magnificent. But a more updated look would've enhanced the experience.
