The Ace Attorney Series is a fantastic series that started in the year 2001 with the fantastic first game. Phoenix Wright a young lawyer in the year of 2016 is out to save people through the power of law, and while he’s new he’s full of gumption. Phoenix Wright is thrust into the world of the courtroom for the first time after his boss is killed. In a twist, Phoenix’s first trial becomes a murder trial and he never would have expected that.
Phoenix Wright is a young lawyer who might not always have everything on his side. He is constantly treated as if he knows nothing because honestly, he doesn’t always seem to know anything. It’s almost like at the beginning of each game he loses a little bit of what he learned. Though that is quickly tossed aside if someone has played the series before. Which is a good thing because while players should play these games in order this game is great in whatever order the player chooses to play it.
The Ace Attorney Series is a visual novel series and one that tells outrageous stories. Set in what they want players to believe in America, Phoenix is out to help those he finds need him. These people usually know someone he knows or he stumbles into things and is often reluctantly brought into things. It’s humorous seeing how these events occur, even when it comes to murder.
Players will walk around crime scenes, uncovering clues and talking to people involved in the case. Some might be red herrings, others might be next up to stand at the trial. It’s all about discovering the facts and learning about how the place would have worked before the crime occurred. While the scenes might be mundane, the mundanity of it all can often hide things right under the player’s nose. All it takes is some good sleuthing and things should be clear.
The writing is also hilarious, and that is a good thing for a visual novel. The lines are often punny and a little tongue in cheek. There are even references hidden in the details if players are willing to really read the story. It definitely helps set up the rest of the series and its good for the player to remember the details.
Phoenix is joined by a bizarre bunch of characters in this first game, from the sweet hamburger loving Maya to his prosecutor foe and childhood friend, Miles Edgeworth. The criminals are all certifiably insane as well, and it might take a little work to break them. Though when they do finally crack the results are hilarious.
The characters all have their own little tells that players will eventually figure out. It might take a little work but it should be relatively simple to figure out who is the criminal. Each case does start out with a small cutscene depicting the crime that the court is discussing.
These opening scenes are where the stories begin, and they are often rather shocking. Player’s do need to pay attention to these scenes as they often hold little secrets that will be great for the player’s tool belt. While Phoenix will never be prepared for a case the player will always have a little something in their arsenal and that is a good thing.
This game is one that makes players solve a puzzle in a way. Find all the pieces of the crime and then push testimony and present evidence to make the baddie blow their top. When the villain finally admits they did it watch out, they will have a meltdown and show their true colors. These villains really can go off the handle and it is always a treat to watch this happen.
The game might not truly be a puzzle game, but players will need to think clearly. Every wrong move will result in a penalty. If players are penalized too much the judge will end the trial. This can cause other events to happen and those might be even worse than Phoenix simply losing the trial. Watch out, save often, and don’t make foolhardy decisions!
The music in this game is superb, especially when Phoenix is turning things around. There is an electrical charge that seems to flow through the courtroom at these moments. The prosecutor will often flip out and show that they aren’t as perfect as they originally let on. It’s just a moment that always is probably the most powerful at least to me in every court case.
Ace Attorney is only the tip of the iceberg, as the game series just continues to get better and better. Phoenix might just be a rookie in this game but his historic career is going to take him to weirder and weirder places and cases. I’ve always been a fan of this series ever since I first saw the game in the stores. If the player is up to face the long arm of the law, Phoenix needs some help, is the player up to figuring out whodunnit?