Post by Yoh on Oct 3, 2013 14:05:49 GMT -8
This is the review for Phoenix Wright Dual Destinies' Demo that was released just October 1 2013. The full localized game will be on the Nintendo EShop, October 22 2013. As this is a demo, this will be a fairly short review as a result, but I will be going over basic elements of the game, as I can't stop loving it right now.
However, there were two chibis on the main menu of the 3DS, where it showed chibis of the main characters. Sadly I can't find a high resolution picture to show them, so you'll just have to download the demo to see what I mean.
Writing:
As the game's story is very limited with this demo, I won't go into too much detail concerning story. But if you really want the details...
There was a bomb planted in the Courtroom, and your assistant's friend, Juniper Woods, has been accused as the culprit. The game's opening cutscene relays these events well. After that cutscene, we seem to see the person who really did set off the bomb. We then cut to Phoenix Wright, back in his lawyer coat with a new assistant, Athena Cykes. Apollo Justice, a young defense attorney who works with Phoenix is apparently injured.
That detail will be explained later.
Afterwards, court is in session. As soon as we begin, the prosecutor, Gaspen Payne, will lay down the facts of the case, present the evidence that the bomb was hidden in a stuffed elephant and a tail of said animal with fingerprints belonging to the defendant, and a witness will be called up. Compare the witness to the man in the opening sequence, and will seem very familiar...
In any case, the game will then proceed with his testimony. Phoenix manages to find a flaw, as the witness states that the bomb timer could be seen. However, because the bomb was hidden inside a stuffed elephant, it is impossible to see it count down in the first place. Gaspen then proceeds to ask the defendant herself to testify, but she is unable to do it properly...
Until your new assistant, Athena reveals her power, the Mood Matrix. Phoenix uses her power to his advantage, able to bring forth how Apollo was injured from the rubble that was part of the courtroom's destruction, and that the animal that Juniper's fingerprints on were of a different animal!
That detail will be explained later.
Afterwards, court is in session. As soon as we begin, the prosecutor, Gaspen Payne, will lay down the facts of the case, present the evidence that the bomb was hidden in a stuffed elephant and a tail of said animal with fingerprints belonging to the defendant, and a witness will be called up. Compare the witness to the man in the opening sequence, and will seem very familiar...
In any case, the game will then proceed with his testimony. Phoenix manages to find a flaw, as the witness states that the bomb timer could be seen. However, because the bomb was hidden inside a stuffed elephant, it is impossible to see it count down in the first place. Gaspen then proceeds to ask the defendant herself to testify, but she is unable to do it properly...
Until your new assistant, Athena reveals her power, the Mood Matrix. Phoenix uses her power to his advantage, able to bring forth how Apollo was injured from the rubble that was part of the courtroom's destruction, and that the animal that Juniper's fingerprints on were of a different animal!
Unfortunately, that's the entire demo that is playable, which is a basic port of the one that could be found online with Dual Destinies' Japanese website.
Now, with the plot out of the way, the writing itself is charming. It feels right at home with the Phoenix Wright mythos, and is the classic dialogue that the series is known for.
Two particular lines from the demo really sold me however. The first one, made by Phoenix himself is literally:
“Project confidence…like a boss.”
Oh Phoenix Wright, you and your sometimes very subtle pop culture references. Never change.
Another line involves the breaking of the fourth wall, made by the judge:
“A quick verdict won’t be such a bad idea. After all, there isn’t much time in a demo!”
Fan-Freaking-Tastic.
Gameplay:
Compared to many other titles within the series, there really hasn’t been much that has changed from their predecessors, with you presenting evidence for contradictions and pressing statements for information, so I shall go over the two things that they did change up.
The first is how the game is now laid out. You can now play the game with all buttons, as opposed to using the touch screen 75% of the time. For example, you can use the L button to press a statement during a testimony, or you can present evidence or check the court record with the R Button. They also display the impact of your decisions of presenting evidence if you choose to present the wrong one. Either way, the buttons layout simplifies it for newer players of the series, and it does a fairly good job in teaching players how to play the game, especially the Mood Matrix.
Mood Matrix works exactly like presenting evidence, except you have to point out unexpected emotions that come up within a testimony. There are four symbols to choose from, and it is also color coded for convenience.
Green means that the person is feeling happy.
Red means that the person is feeling angry or frustrated.
Blue means that the person is feeling sad.
And Yellow means that the person is either shocked or scared.
Once again, the tutorial to this is done very well, and it feels very easy to play, without it feeling forced.
Presentation:
Oh my goodness, this game’s graphics are just some of the best. Considering the transition from sprites to both 3D models and Animated Cutscenes, it is a welcome addition. The 3D models make everything feel so much more cinematic in comparison to the previous games, and the animations implemented feel so dynamic and whimsical, and that is what Phoenix Wright is known for. Trust me, the animations are just so freaking smooth, and they look so awesome! Bear with me on this one.
Animated cutscenes on the other hand…OH, MY, GOD. They look beautiful, and what else do expect from Bones? Bones is the animation studio that also made animations for Full Metal Alchemist, Star Driver, Liberation Maiden, and the upcoming Ace Attorney vs. Professor Layton, just to name a few.
And if you thought the experience was cinematic already? I recommend turning up the 3D slider all the way up. Trust me, it will feel like blockbuster 3D movie that is actually successful.
Music:
The music is very fitting in the situations that they’re used in, but by far the best pieces of soundtrack in this game is definitely the objection and cornered theme.
Heck, if they orchestrated the entire objection theme from Trials and Tribulations, then they are definitely doing something …WRIGHT!
*badumtss*
Verdict:
For a demo, I can understand why it’s so short, but it really feels like a giant cliff-hanger. On the other hand, it does an excellent job to demonstrate what it is upcoming, and should be exciting to play when the full version does come out. The visuals are stunning, the soundtrack is wonderful, and it will be a welcome entry into the franchise.
Final Score:
8.5/10
Court Adjourned.
