No Objections Here

When I went to purchase my Nintendo DS Lite, I had planned to pick up one or two games for it at the same time, which made sense. The problem was, I had no idea which games I wanted. I had heard great things about Animal Crossing: Wild World, as well as Super Mario Kart: DS. Still, I wanted something original that I had never played before.

When I found Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney on the shelf I asked the nice sales-person behind the counter to see it. She reached into the glass case and handed it to me while commenting, "you're lucky, we never have this one in stock." The only thing I could think was, "really? A game about a lawyer?"

Yes, it's about a lawyer. He isn't even a particularly heroic or intelligent lawyer either. He's a klutzy, immature and somewhat aloof defense lawyer who would sooner take advice from a 17 year old "medium in training" than actually pick up a legal textbook. This could be why he is so endearing. Phoenix Wright is likely the most believable character Capcom has ever invented.

This isn't to say that the game is overtly realistic. The courtroom scenes are somewhat accurate, though the judge is hilariously incompetent and the prosecution seems to have taken some tips from the tyrannical dictator's handbook. This, however, just adds to the charm of the game and it's protagonist. You can present evidence, yell "objection" into the built in microphone and cross examine witnesses whose stories are always full of lies.

Gathering evidence is fun also. Though it can get a bit repetitive if you highly dislike linear, adventure type games, most of the situations Phoenix finds himself in are interesting enough to hold your attention for the duration. There are 5 cases in total, though the first is more of an introduction than anything else. As they progress, they get longer and more difficult to complete. Though some may be able to race through the game in just a few days, the majority should get at least a week or two of straight play out of it. Along with the 'cases', some of Phoenix's own past is revealed. The relationships between the more regular characters often impact the cases and some of them even find themselves as witnesses, defendants and victims. Though it is highly unbelievable that Phoenix would be permitted to defend his old school mate, or even participate in a case in which a close friend is killed, this aspect makes the game more enjoyable and gives a sense of purpose to the colorful cast.

I am giving this game five stars, not because it's perfect, but because it's the only DS game I have found so far where I have actually cared about the characters and storyline. As I worked my way through each case, I genuinely wanted Phoenix to win, and found myself becoming conflicted when more information is revealed about who I thought to be the villains of the piece. It's a great game, and though I can imagine not everyone would enjoy it, I strongly recommend you at least give it a try.