Not too long ago I reviewed a game by the name of Trauma Center: Under the Knife for the DS. More than once I made a reference to Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, a game that is similarly trying new things to make the DS library more noticeable. I'm glad to say that both games have succeeded and if you picked up a DS to play unique games that you don't find anywhere else, then you'll be mighty pleased with this.

Unless perhaps there is a very slim chance you've imported and played a series of Japanese-exclusive GBA titles called Gyakuten Saiban, because Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is essentially a remake of this title, which is the first in a line of three (soon to be four). However, the DS version adds the usual touch screen support (though you can play the entire game with the buttons as well), voice support and a completely new fifth chapter.

As Phoenix Wright you play an up-and-coming defense attorney who hasn't even had his first case yet. As such, you're aided by specific supporting characters, all of which play a crucial role in the game. The way the supporting cast intertwines with the story, as their history is unveiled, is really quite enjoyable, even if the twists in the story are very convenient and Hollywood. You're always defending someone who you believe to be falsely accused of murder and your job is to collect evidence to use against the prosecutors who will do anything in their power to get a guilty verdict, including forging evidence and simply lying.

First off, I must warn some gamers that this is an image-based adventure game that features an abundance of text. In fact, the game is nothing but text and images, and the gameplay consists of doing little more than tapping buttons to make specific decisions. Fortunately, Capcom has an outstanding translation department and the writing here is top-notch, full of wit and snappy comebacks, as well as some very intriguing mystery cases to play through. The images on the screen, while not animated, change constantly to match the text on the screen. Like the writing, the facial expressions and body language of all the characters you run into is a real joy to watch, particularly if you're a fan of Japanese anime. A warning though - Capcom had a lot of fun with the character names here, so don't be surprised when you meet characters like Redd White, head of the Blue Corp., Lotta Hart, Detective Dick Gumshoe, Jack Hammer, Sal Manella, and April May. As serious as courts of law and murder are, Ace Attorney loves to make you smile as well.

The main objective of Phoenix Wright is first to investigate the scene of the crime (and the evidence, but only in the final chapter unfortunately), as well as question various detectives and witnesses. Each of the five cases is very well devised and though you could perhaps figure them out by just guessing, actually writing out details and thinking about the evidence is a lot of fun as you try to put together the case. It can be frustrating however to have a lead that you think is correct, only to either never get the chance to use it, or try to use it and have Phoenix say something that you didn't plan instead. Each case seems to have a lot of possibilities, but only one will work in the end. In the court room you'll be cross-examining witnesses to find contradictions to the evidence. You can pick apart each sentence and question them on it; sometimes you get results, and sometimes you get a bollocking from the judge and prosecutor for badgering the witness. At any time during a cross-examination you can present evidence to prove that the witness testimony is fake, but be careful, because if you present five pieces of evidence that don't lead anywhere, the judge will declare a guilty verdict and you begin the trial day all over again. This is beyond frustrating, because that's a lot of text to sit through again… luckily you can save at anytime. Hint hint. If you just think about the cases and really put your mind to it, they aren't too difficult to solve, yet that's one of the big selling points of this game: actually figuring out the cases instead of randomly shouting "Objection!"

The lack of any voices will be a problem for a lot of gamers who don't want to sit and read through Ace Attorney, and though most people won't mind it, there is also an issue of repetition. Indeed, playing Phoenix constantly and burning through the first three cases will make the game feel a bit tedious (especially since the cases are not short) and the replay value after completing everything is excruciatingly low... but it's hard to resist finishing Phoenix, due to some great mystery cases, snappy and often times hilarious dialogue, and a great overall presentation full of memorable characters and fitting music.

Compared to Trauma Center - a game with a graphic style that's almost identical - Phoenix Wright takes the anime slideshow style to a level way above it. The characters have some really great artwork and their facial animations, though repetitive, fit the dialogue extremely well and are pretty amusing most of the time. The colours are bright and inviting, while the scenery is well designed and memorable. It may not be a 3D masterpiece, but for what it is it's very good, especially considering that this was a GBA game at one point. The final chapter, designed exclusively for the DS, even includes some fluid cel-shaded animation and lets you look at objects up close, something that would have been really nice to have throughout the entire game.

You wouldn't think Capcom could do much with the sound in a game like this, but they really have nailed it. There're all sorts of great effects during trials that sound like they belong in a cheesy Eighties action show, but fit perfectly here. The music will make you feel both upbeat and worried, depending on what's happening. In court cases the dramatic tones will keep you on edge and the music during the scenes in your office will have you bouncing along. Capcom has also made great use of not having music at very critical times, such as a huge revelation in a trial, and then it slams back in.

Though at the core Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a GBA game with adapted touch screen and voice features (neither of which you really need to use - the voice support is also a bit iffy), it's such a refreshing game. The cases are really well thought out and will get you thinking, the sound effects and graphics are top notch for a 2D image-based handheld adventure, but introducing some great new elements in the final case makes you wish that they had done it for all of them. It isn't for everyone, but it's a great introduction to what could be a unique series of handheld games for our shores. Here's hoping that Capcom brings the other two Japanese titles over and adapts them even further to the DS - and we can always hope the in-production DS version makes its way over here too! If you're looking for a great story adventure you definitely should pick this up, but those looking for more gameplay out of their DS may want to stick with Trauma Center or Lost in Blue.

Reviewed by Christopher Martin for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).