Log Status
Played
Playing
Backlog
Wishlist
Rating
Time Played
--
Days in Journal
2 days
Last played
December 24, 2007
First played
July 17, 2007
Platforms Played
Library Ownership
This review contains spoilers
What a fantastic start to a franchise.
Well mostly.
In this world, trials are only given 3 days. There is no Jury, only you, the judge, and the all powerful prosecution. You're the new lawyer in Toky-LOS ANGELES, Ryuichi Naruhod....Phoenix Wright, taking on his first case to defend your friend Larry Butz and overcome the ROOKIE KILLER HIMSELF, Winston Payne. But to win in Ace Attorney, you can't just prove your client's innocence, you also have to find the real perp. A huge task, but thankfully they're usually a witness or close to the courtroom. Your tutor, Chihiro Ay-sorry Mia Fey, is also a great help.
It's really fun to press witnesses to get that little bit more out of 'em and pressure them into slipping up, at which point you shout OBJECTION! and slam the evidence in their face, rub it in real good. Catching the first killer and freeing your friend isn't the best case in the series, but as far as introductions to a franchise go it's a really solid one. The villain even has a satisfying breakdown. Of course, this is just the first case.
Soon later Mia's murdered and her sister is accused of doing it. This case introduces Investiagtions, the point and click compliment to courts. They're alright, at best a really neat way to interact with the world and cast while finding key clues and at worst pixelhunty and confusing where to go next, but a fun addition to spice things up. It's your first interactions with Gumshoe and Maya, who are both fantastic in their own rights, playing off of Wright and each other really well. The trials introduce Edgeworth, Phoenix's childhood friend and a great rival who does all he can to win at first to maintain the "perfect" philosophy brought on by his mentor. But thanks to your clues and TURNING AROUND THE RECEIPT (and also some magic spirit possession bullshit, admittedly one of this series about laws and mystery's weaker points) you catch her killer.
The third case's a bit of a weaker point and is the major flaw of the three day system. It always exists, but this game is the only one to use all three days, and for good reason: They really, really drag. Not much memorable so I'll just move on to the finale.
It's a hell of a finale, Edgeworth accused of murder, and his mentor, Manfred Von Karma, takes the case as prosecutor. And he's an intimidating bastard. Good thing he's also the killer and also was the killer of this conspiracy a long time ago around his only penalty, his Perfect philosophy doing everyone more harm than good. He has a fantastic breakdown, is a grand antagonist, and beating him feels amazing.
There's this bonus case that takes advantage of the DS features and it's a pretty fun mystery. Gant is great, investigating with the touch screen is fun (mic's okay too I suppose), and most importantly it gives us the best girl in the series, Ema Skye.
The first game feels relatively underappriciated which is why I went into so much depth about it. The whole series is great, but I cant think of a better game to start it all.
Well mostly.
In this world, trials are only given 3 days. There is no Jury, only you, the judge, and the all powerful prosecution. You're the new lawyer in Toky-LOS ANGELES, Ryuichi Naruhod....Phoenix Wright, taking on his first case to defend your friend Larry Butz and overcome the ROOKIE KILLER HIMSELF, Winston Payne. But to win in Ace Attorney, you can't just prove your client's innocence, you also have to find the real perp. A huge task, but thankfully they're usually a witness or close to the courtroom. Your tutor, Chihiro Ay-sorry Mia Fey, is also a great help.
It's really fun to press witnesses to get that little bit more out of 'em and pressure them into slipping up, at which point you shout OBJECTION! and slam the evidence in their face, rub it in real good. Catching the first killer and freeing your friend isn't the best case in the series, but as far as introductions to a franchise go it's a really solid one. The villain even has a satisfying breakdown. Of course, this is just the first case.
Soon later Mia's murdered and her sister is accused of doing it. This case introduces Investiagtions, the point and click compliment to courts. They're alright, at best a really neat way to interact with the world and cast while finding key clues and at worst pixelhunty and confusing where to go next, but a fun addition to spice things up. It's your first interactions with Gumshoe and Maya, who are both fantastic in their own rights, playing off of Wright and each other really well. The trials introduce Edgeworth, Phoenix's childhood friend and a great rival who does all he can to win at first to maintain the "perfect" philosophy brought on by his mentor. But thanks to your clues and TURNING AROUND THE RECEIPT (and also some magic spirit possession bullshit, admittedly one of this series about laws and mystery's weaker points) you catch her killer.
The third case's a bit of a weaker point and is the major flaw of the three day system. It always exists, but this game is the only one to use all three days, and for good reason: They really, really drag. Not much memorable so I'll just move on to the finale.
It's a hell of a finale, Edgeworth accused of murder, and his mentor, Manfred Von Karma, takes the case as prosecutor. And he's an intimidating bastard. Good thing he's also the killer and also was the killer of this conspiracy a long time ago around his only penalty, his Perfect philosophy doing everyone more harm than good. He has a fantastic breakdown, is a grand antagonist, and beating him feels amazing.
There's this bonus case that takes advantage of the DS features and it's a pretty fun mystery. Gant is great, investigating with the touch screen is fun (mic's okay too I suppose), and most importantly it gives us the best girl in the series, Ema Skye.
The first game feels relatively underappriciated which is why I went into so much depth about it. The whole series is great, but I cant think of a better game to start it all.