Phoenix Wright is an interesting series. There are plenty of games where you assume the role of an investigator, but I don’t really know any others where you assume the role of a defense attorney.
As a defense attorney, the core gameplay revolves around courtroom trials. These are the highlights of the game and feel really satisfying to get right. You have to match testimony to contradictory evidence and you don’t have infinite tries to take a naive combinatorics approach. I won’t say that they’re especially challenging, but they are at least rather fun, not least because of the cast.
The game shines in its dialogue and characters. Now, I’m not going to pretend like the characters are particularly deep or multifaceted. Pretty much all of them are sort of one note, but it’s not a bad note! They’re quirky little archetypes that move in strange animated ways. Phoenix himself is really quite entertaining to watch. He’s constantly losing his mind internally while presenting himself professionally, which is probably how a fresh defense attorney would feel.
I think the animation for such an old game is also superb. None of the game is voice acted (does Objection! count?) and so it’s pretty incredible how “alive” the characters feel when all you’re doing is reading texts. Most emotions on display are wildly exaggerated, but with most of the characters not being particularly serious anyways, it fits really well. That’s not to say the game can’t get a bit serious when it wants to, but I think its strength is when its being zany.
(i think he’s guilty)
Something that astonished me was that the game was made by only 10 people! It’s a rather pretty game. The stylized art style means that it holds up pretty well visually.
I do find the investigation segments prior to the trials to be a chore. Each trial (I played the first three) is really enjoyable but I find myself rapidly losing my weak zoomer attention span in the periods in between. Maya was about the only bearable part of those portions.
Lastly, the sound of this game brings me back to being a kid on the gameboy advance, and that makes sense since it was a gba game! It’s a really nostalgic soundfont to me that’s hard to judge past “haha 16 bit is fun!” But its really memorable! The objection theme that plays has been stuck in my head all week.
Overall, fun game!
I’m glad you had fun with this game! Also your choice of top/featured image is sending me. You are not a clown, you are the entire circus. We really are.
I have to agree, I think the game feels the freshest and most engaging in the trial + when it’s embracing its zaniness. That’s not to say the other story beats aren’t good, but it simply isn’t focused on telling a dramatic world-ending murder mystery like that. Love that its focus is so uniquely true to itself in that way.
I agree that other design decisions felt a bit rough around the edges, as there were also sections I found myself kind of drawling through, but I was never really having an unpleasant experience with the game. Except for the dialogue-clicking sound design initially, which we’ll have to disagree on. No nostalgia, just ear pain to me! But beyond this, the game really is pretty for its age, and all around holds up really well.
I’m glad you enjoyed the game! I totally agree about the investigation portions feeling like a slog sometime… I feel like the courtroom portions and more interactive dialogue segments are where the game really shines, whereas the “navigate between menus and click on a still background until you find something” portions feel bare-minimum functional at accomplishing what they need to. I would be curious to see what you’d think of the later Investigations games, which I have not personally played but which I understand have a more interactive overworld! I also love your point about the characters feeling alive– I agree that while the animation is minimal and the voice acting is essentially non-existent, there’s a presence to the characters and a flow to their interactions that (in my opinion, at least) feels real in some way, like they really are existing in the same space together despite mostly being front-facing sprites floating on a static background.
It’s great to hear your thoughts on the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney series! It’s indeed unique in its approach, casting players as a defense attorney, which is a fresh perspective compared to the typical detective roles in many games.
Your appreciation for the courtroom trials highlights what many fans love about the series—the thrill of matching wits against the opposition, using evidence to contradict witness testimonies. It sounds like the gameplay strikes a good balance between being fun and offering a satisfying challenge, even if it isn’t particularly hard.
The characters and dialogue really seem to be a standout aspect for you. It’s interesting how you describe the characters as one-note yet charming, which aligns well with the game’s light-hearted, often humorous tone. Phoenix’s internal monologue versus his professional demeanor is a relatable and endearing part of his character, adding depth to what might otherwise be a standard legal drama.
The animation quality impressing you despite the game’s age shows just how well the design and visual storytelling were executed. The developers managed to convey a lot of personality and emotion through the characters’ exaggerated expressions and movements, enhancing the text-heavy interactions.
The fact that such a stylized and engaging game was created by a small team is indeed impressive. It speaks volumes about the creativity and efficiency of the developers. However, it’s understandable that the investigation phases felt a bit tedious compared to the dynamic courtroom scenes. Balancing those investigative segments with the more exciting trial parts can be challenging in any narrative-driven game.
Your comments about the game’s nostalgic sound bring a nice personal touch to your review. The music and sound effects in games often leave a lasting impression, and it’s clear that Ace Attorney has done just that for you.
Overall, it sounds like Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney has left a positive impression on you with its unique gameplay, memorable characters, and charming aesthetic. Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s always exciting to hear from players who appreciate both the fun and the quirks of such a distinctive series.