utopianmachine
09-15-2007, 09:21 PM
This is my review taken from the Nintendo Forums. I'm UTOPIANMACHINE there, as well. I'm trying to write more video game reviews lately, so I hope to post soon.
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http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MXNMqeQcL._AA280_.jpg
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
ESRB: Teen
Release Date: October 23, 2007
Wi-Fi: No
Save Files: 1
First, allow me to state the obvious. Phoenix Wright’s third and final adventure has not yet been released on North American shores. Impatient fans may choose to import the Japanese version of the game, Gyakuten Saiban 3, which contains an option for English language. However, for those with access to Gamestop, you would be well-rewarded to preorder there (http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B180311A), as you may receive a plushie of our favorite defense attorney.
That said, this is a review of Gyakuten Saiban 3. Aside from possible localization and grammatical tweaks, GS3 is for all points and principals the same experience as Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations.
If you’ve played the first two games in the series, Ace Attorney and Justice for All, then you are familiar with the staples of the franchise. The highly successful blend of opposing and supporting characters, masterful dialogue, and engaging situations have created for Capcom a critically-approved license, buoyed by an insatiable fanbase. This third adventures completes Phoenix’s story arc, and fear not; it doesn’t disappoint.
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2007/192/939065_20070712_screen011.jpg
This time, Phoenix's rival is Prosecutor Godot, a mysterious man determined to bring Phoenix to his knees.
When I wrote my First Impressions (http://forums.nintendo.com/nintendo/board/message?board.id=ds&message.id=2947171&query.id=21073#M2947171) of the game, I claimed that you would find nothing new in Trials & Tribulations, and although my initial comment isn’t truly blasphemous, I would like to amend it.
Within minutes of playing the game, you’ll find you’ve entered a flashback to an earlier time when Mia Fey was alive. For the uninitiated among you, Mia Fey was Phoenix’s mentor, and he was involved in a case concerning her death in Ace Attorney. This flashback case establishes the reason for Phoenix’s desire to be a defense attorney, as he himself is accused of murder. Phoenix is younger, then, as are all the characters involved, and this case includes the traditional tutorial-type gameplay found in all of the first-cases in each Phoenix Wright game.
Out of the five cases in the game, three deal heavily with the past and feature flashbacks. Principally, the flashbacks concern one individual who seems to have drastically affected several of the series’ principal characters. As I approached the fifth and final case, I admit I was a little unhappy with the game so far, as the first and fourth case involves no crime scene investigation and take place entirely in the courtroom. Although the dialogue and storyline are always quality stuff, the exploration of the crime scene and adjacent areas has always been a favorite element of mine, especially since Justice for All’s inclusion of Psyche-Locks. Yes, Psyche-Locks have returned, and you’ll be able to whittle away at the character’s secrets in and out of the courtroom.
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2007/102/939065_20070413_screen011.jpg
A new character which will have you constantly guessing.
Any trepidation I had about approaching the game’s final case, however, melted away to nothing promptly on its starting. Like in all the Phoenix Wright titles, the final case is really what defines the game and leaves the most impression. Also, it is the longest case in the game, being at least twice as long as the others. Finally, the flashbacks evolve into an amazingly crafted case, which blends the past with the present, resolves multiple characters’ storylines (including those from Justice for All), and provides a thrilling and satisfying conclusion to Phoenix’s story arc.
While I can hardly say there are game flaws (besides the many, many textual errors in this Japanese translation of Gyakuten Saiban 3), there are a few negative impressions the game leaves. Some of the characters from previous games make appearances in Trials & Tribulations, and while it would be cruel to call these returns ‘cameos,’ their presences really amount to little more than that. Their appearing is sometimes entirely unbelievable, whatever past associations, and it nearly seems they step out of their character roles for the opportunity of being in this final, all-inclusive game.
Because of the nature of this title being the end to Phoenix’s storyline, two of the cases come to feel like diversions from the real matter at hand, perhaps only filler material in between the more meaningful cases. While they are indeed enjoyable experiences, some of the settings and characters receive little development and feel weaker next to the over-arching tale.
It’s hard to believe that Phoenix has been with us as long as he has, and he’s been a friend I won’t soon forget. Although much of the game contains recycled characters, situations, and music and sound effects, the method is fitting as we delve ever-deeper into the fabric of Phoenix’s person. Trials & Tribulations’ experience is overall grittier than past titles, but it feels right and ends as it should. Still, all in all, I firmly feel it entirely appropriate that the next game in this series will not star Phoenix Wright. There’s little else than he can give us, and it’s time to say goodbye.
Rating 8.4
With the inclusion of familiar graphics, sound, and gameplay, there’s nothing that could be considered progressive here. However, fans of the genre shouldn’t overlook this quality adventure.
________________________________________
http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MXNMqeQcL._AA280_.jpg
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
ESRB: Teen
Release Date: October 23, 2007
Wi-Fi: No
Save Files: 1
First, allow me to state the obvious. Phoenix Wright’s third and final adventure has not yet been released on North American shores. Impatient fans may choose to import the Japanese version of the game, Gyakuten Saiban 3, which contains an option for English language. However, for those with access to Gamestop, you would be well-rewarded to preorder there (http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B180311A), as you may receive a plushie of our favorite defense attorney.
That said, this is a review of Gyakuten Saiban 3. Aside from possible localization and grammatical tweaks, GS3 is for all points and principals the same experience as Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations.
If you’ve played the first two games in the series, Ace Attorney and Justice for All, then you are familiar with the staples of the franchise. The highly successful blend of opposing and supporting characters, masterful dialogue, and engaging situations have created for Capcom a critically-approved license, buoyed by an insatiable fanbase. This third adventures completes Phoenix’s story arc, and fear not; it doesn’t disappoint.
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2007/192/939065_20070712_screen011.jpg
This time, Phoenix's rival is Prosecutor Godot, a mysterious man determined to bring Phoenix to his knees.
When I wrote my First Impressions (http://forums.nintendo.com/nintendo/board/message?board.id=ds&message.id=2947171&query.id=21073#M2947171) of the game, I claimed that you would find nothing new in Trials & Tribulations, and although my initial comment isn’t truly blasphemous, I would like to amend it.
Within minutes of playing the game, you’ll find you’ve entered a flashback to an earlier time when Mia Fey was alive. For the uninitiated among you, Mia Fey was Phoenix’s mentor, and he was involved in a case concerning her death in Ace Attorney. This flashback case establishes the reason for Phoenix’s desire to be a defense attorney, as he himself is accused of murder. Phoenix is younger, then, as are all the characters involved, and this case includes the traditional tutorial-type gameplay found in all of the first-cases in each Phoenix Wright game.
Out of the five cases in the game, three deal heavily with the past and feature flashbacks. Principally, the flashbacks concern one individual who seems to have drastically affected several of the series’ principal characters. As I approached the fifth and final case, I admit I was a little unhappy with the game so far, as the first and fourth case involves no crime scene investigation and take place entirely in the courtroom. Although the dialogue and storyline are always quality stuff, the exploration of the crime scene and adjacent areas has always been a favorite element of mine, especially since Justice for All’s inclusion of Psyche-Locks. Yes, Psyche-Locks have returned, and you’ll be able to whittle away at the character’s secrets in and out of the courtroom.
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2007/102/939065_20070413_screen011.jpg
A new character which will have you constantly guessing.
Any trepidation I had about approaching the game’s final case, however, melted away to nothing promptly on its starting. Like in all the Phoenix Wright titles, the final case is really what defines the game and leaves the most impression. Also, it is the longest case in the game, being at least twice as long as the others. Finally, the flashbacks evolve into an amazingly crafted case, which blends the past with the present, resolves multiple characters’ storylines (including those from Justice for All), and provides a thrilling and satisfying conclusion to Phoenix’s story arc.
While I can hardly say there are game flaws (besides the many, many textual errors in this Japanese translation of Gyakuten Saiban 3), there are a few negative impressions the game leaves. Some of the characters from previous games make appearances in Trials & Tribulations, and while it would be cruel to call these returns ‘cameos,’ their presences really amount to little more than that. Their appearing is sometimes entirely unbelievable, whatever past associations, and it nearly seems they step out of their character roles for the opportunity of being in this final, all-inclusive game.
Because of the nature of this title being the end to Phoenix’s storyline, two of the cases come to feel like diversions from the real matter at hand, perhaps only filler material in between the more meaningful cases. While they are indeed enjoyable experiences, some of the settings and characters receive little development and feel weaker next to the over-arching tale.
It’s hard to believe that Phoenix has been with us as long as he has, and he’s been a friend I won’t soon forget. Although much of the game contains recycled characters, situations, and music and sound effects, the method is fitting as we delve ever-deeper into the fabric of Phoenix’s person. Trials & Tribulations’ experience is overall grittier than past titles, but it feels right and ends as it should. Still, all in all, I firmly feel it entirely appropriate that the next game in this series will not star Phoenix Wright. There’s little else than he can give us, and it’s time to say goodbye.
Rating 8.4
With the inclusion of familiar graphics, sound, and gameplay, there’s nothing that could be considered progressive here. However, fans of the genre shouldn’t overlook this quality adventure.