HOLD IT! QJ’s verdict on Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

First off, I am not a big fan of courtroom drama. And I do admit, I feel as if sitting through courtroom scenes in movies is just about as engrossing as watching a fresh coat of paint dry up on the wall. I’ve always found it boring. So what happens when a copy of Capcom‘s Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney finds itself lodged in the court record of QJ blogger Gino’s DS slot-1? Addiction, that’s what. (Oh, and new video game character crushes, too)

Prior to actually getting to play the game, I always thought Phoenix Wright was a total joke. Lawyer-sim; who’d’ve thunk? Japan is known to come up with the silliest games anyway – with a certain few of those titles actually sending waves of interest in the market. This game is one of them, leaving throngs of gamers clamoring for more in its wake.

The object[ION!] of the game is simple: use your head. You play as the ace attorney himself, Phoenix Wright (“Nick” as some would fondly call him) and go through cases to prove your client “Not Guilty.” Every case in the game (with exception to the first one, where you’re shown the ropes of lawyer legalese and courtroom jargon), will start with investigation and will lead up to the the actual court scenes of witness testimonies and cross-examinations.

So, what is the verdict? We talk more about proverbial boxes, addictions and obsessions, pwnage by an oldbag, pop culture, frying pans, l33t sp3ak, and a certain Dick. Check out more of the evidence right behind the “Full Article” link!

First off, I am not a big fan of courtroom drama. And I do admit, I feel as if sitting through courtroom scenes in movies is just about as engrossing as watching a fresh coat of paint dry up on the wall. I’ve always found it boring. So what happens when a copy of Capcom‘s Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney finds itself lodged in the court record of QJ blogger Gino’s DS slot-1? Addiction, that’s what. (Oh, and new video game character crushes, too)

Prior to actually getting to play the game, I always thought Phoenix Wright was a total joke. Lawyer-sim; who’d’ve thunk? Japan is known to come up with the silliest games anyway – with a certain few of those titles actually sending waves of interest in the market. This game is one of them, leaving throngs of gamers clamoring for more in its wake.

The object[ION!] of the game is simple: use your head. You play as the ace attorney himself, Phoenix Wright (“Nick” as some would fondly call him) and go through cases to prove your client “Not Guilty.” Every case in the game (with exception to the first one, where you’re shown the ropes of lawyer legalese and courtroom jargon), will start with investigation and will lead up to the the actual court scenes of witness testimonies and cross-examinations.

Gather the clues you need, speak to people for more info, and put the puzzle pieces together during investigation. Once you’re in front of the judge, you use every ounce of evidence you have to throw the witness’ testimonies out the window like yesterday’s flower pot water.

Each case is different, all requiring you to think things through from out of the proverbial box and from different perspectives (watching episodes of “Detective Conan” or “CSI” might help though). Along the way, you’d also be introduced to certain new things that could help you in your investigation – the finger print powder and luminol solution are a dead-ringer to spice up the gameplay and open up possibilities that’ll throw you deeper into the story.

You can get through the game by just following your instinct and listening to your logic. This is one game where using walkthroughs is actually frowned upon, because when you think about it hard enough, you can still manage to get yourself out of the frying pan (and into the fire, as in most cases).

It’s immersive, how the stories in each case unravels and how the truth finally becomes apparent. Heck, “immersive” would actually be a bit of an understatement. I often found myself sitting hours on end, trying to solve just one case.

The cast of characters (e.g. Dick Gumshoe, FTW!), dialogue (e.g. Sal Manella’s l33t sp3ak), and references to pop culture (e.g. “TRUTH? HE CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!”)  will keep you glued to the screen. Chuck in some humor and highly climactic banters of OBJECTION!s flying left, right, and center, and you’ve got yourself pretty addicted to the phenomenon that is Phoenix Wright. Plot twists will hit you straight right out of left field and have you reeling in shock, not to mention the immediate moment of revelation that follows after (i.e. “Jeezus Christ, I’ve been pwned by an oldbag; why didn’t I think of that?!”).

So I guess you can say I ended up eating my own words after playing the game. Yeah, I could clearly see Edgeworth’s accusatory finger pointing directly at my face. Phoenix Wright, a total joke?

Clearly, my prior testimony doesn’t hold water, and it’s easily botched up by the clear sound of OBJECTION! ringing across the court room of the QJ blogosphere. And quite frankly, I’ve already been known among the bloggers as a convert and one who would suddenly spout HOLD IT!s and OBJECTION!s out of no where. Addiction, obsession; I definitely find myself guilty. I find myself with a guilty pleasure, that is.