Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials and Tribulations (DS) Review
The third installment in Capcom’s popular Ace attorney series is one that all fans should be anticipating, Not only is it the final chapter in which Phoenix Wright plays the protagonist, but it’s also possibly the best of that specific story “arc” and the most story driven.
Just like the previous two games in the series, Trials & Tribulations lets the player step into the shoes of Phoenix Wright, a defence attorney entering his third year of practice. We find that Phoenix has gained some new found confidence after defeating a number of top prosecutors, but aside from that, Trials & Tribulations changes little of the original system, with the player battling through five new legal cases. A new twist, seen for the first time in Trials & Tribulations, is that players will be able to play as both Mia Fey and Miles Edgeworth in several “flashback” cases that deal with the characters’ pasts and do a good job of shedding light on several characters’ motives and previous dealings.
Although Trials & Tribulations is the third in a series that has changed little, there’s something that sets this version apart from the other games. That is, its storyline. Trials & Tribulations is probably the best in the series when it comes to the amount of content that Capcom have packed in, though I speak only on a developmental level. From the very first case it is evident that a lot of effort has been put into creating a compelling narrative, which players will persevere with until they can unveil the very last piece of truth.
Trials & Tribulations is also the first time the series has delved into the characters’ past, closing up previously opened plot holes, as well as giving heavy back story to the characters. Being such a character driven series, these additions are welcomed and enhance the experience further
Just like previous games, Trials & Tribulations does not falter in the artistic design department. Throughout your journey you will encounter several familiar faces as well as several new and brilliantly designed characters. Many of the characters are exceptionally quirky and have distinct personalities which add to the character development aspect of the game. In terms of variety though, much like the previous title in the series, Justice for All, there isn’t a lot that is new here, with a number of backgrounds and sprites recycled without any additions,.
Trials & Tribulations plays almost exactly the same, nay, it DOES play exactly the same as the prvious game in the series. Unlike Justice for All, there are no new mechanics, like the psyche-lock, introduced nor are there any adjustments to the main game mechanics. Gameplay consists of an investigation phase and a trial phase. During the investigation phase, players interact with several characters in order to gather information which they will use in the court case that follows. During these parts of the game, players can move between locations, inspect crime scenes, talk to characters, as well as present evidence in order to invoke some kind of response. These sections of the game are notably more mellow than their courtroom counterparts, though they do a great job, especially in Trials & Tribulations, of fleshing out the main story and several characters’ backlogs.
After all possible evidence has been collected, the game shifts to the actual trial itself, which is a faster-paced, more action-packed phase that takes place in the courtroom. Players listen to testimony from a witness and then, through what is known as cross-examination, are given the chance to prove that the witness is lying. During cross-examinaton, players can look through their court record to find discrepancies between what has been said and what actually happened. Once certain that a mistake has been made, an objection can be issued either through menus or by yelling OBJECTION into the DS’s microphone in typical over-the-top Phoenix Wright fashion. Should the objection be correct, the case will move on until a verdict is reached. Rinse and repeat until a confession is made. It’s quite formulaic but still works exceptionally well, even after two games which have employed the same mechanics.
These courtroom sections are definitely the most action-packed in the game, lending thanks mainly to the dramatic choice of music employed. Although the music used in Trials & Tribulations isn’t anything ground breaking, nor does it differentiate itself from the past games in the series, it still works well in upping the ante and making the player feel stressed when they should – when their playable character is. It works surprisingly well, and even though there isn’t anything all that new to brag about in the audio department, if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t need fixing.
Besides the obvious lack of new features, Trials & Tribulation mainly faces the same problem that the previous two incarnations faced, though they aren’t exactly problems per se, but rather cultural differences. The first difference comes from the fact that the defendent is presumed guilty until proven otherwise, a far cry from the opposite system we have here. Secondly, just like Justice For All, Trials & Tribulations doesn’t include any new specific DS-based content like the first game in the series did, which may serve as a disappointment for some fans.
Trials & Tribulations is also one of the longest titles in the series. Clocking in at around 12-15 hours of gameplay, Trials & Tribulations should have the player occupied for quite some time.
All in all, Trials & Tribulations is one of those games that should be remembered by fans of the series forever. It builds upon the succesful narrative formula featured in Justice For All and adds a whole new layer into the fray, fleshing out the characters’ back stories more so than the other games. It’s a shame this is the final game where we will deal with all these characters, though the upcoming Apollo Justice should appease those fans who enjoyed the unique DS features of the original game. Trials & Tribulations is definitely the best game currently available in the Ace Attorney series due to the character-centric story, though it may not appeal to those who haven’t played the previous games.
