18.5.2008

The Ace Attorney (Phoenix Wright) series is back, but this time with a new protagonist: the entertainingly named Apollo Justice. If you're thinking that's a sign that the game takes itself too seriously, fear not: one of the first things the game does is make fun of the titular character's name.So, this is pretty much in line with the rest of the Phoenix Wright series: a bit of point-and-click graphical adventure (investigation) alongside a logic/mystery game (court), with some arbitrary wackiness thrown in. Also like its predecessors, all the cases are tied together (albeit somewhat flimsily) in the last one.If, like me, you really wanted to see the characters from previous games,fret not: an older Phoenix hangs around in the background throughout, and you actually do get to play as him (bumping into Detective Gumshoe along the way - but sadly not Maya, Pearl or the spectral Mia) in the last case. However, overwhelmingly (the exceptions being the judge and Ema Skye) the characters are all new. This is actually a good thing, as the new bunch seem to be better drawn and more interesting. The music is mostly new, but not the best in the series.The gimmick this time round is the ability to read body language in some sections to detect lies (for the plot, this makes no sense, but it's still interesting): this manifests as a "focus" on an area you can select while the testimony continues in slow motion. Once you spot the aberrant behaviour (fiddling, sweating, whatever), you tap a button, and Apollo crows about his new discovery, somehow resulting in the witness telling the truth. It's both a fun mechanic and a frustrating one: it's enjoyable to spot the giveaway, but it can be rather time-consuming to find it in the first place.Like the extra case tacked on the end of DS "Phoenix Wright" 1, you get to play a bit with forensic tools, though it always seems like arbitrary gameplay, as you pretty much have to discover the evidence in question first. Other than that, the DS' features seem rather underused: the primary UI is still rather GBA-like.The last (of four) case in this game is a bit special: in a fancy computer-like interface, you get to go through some "past" and "present" areas in a kind of investigation phase. For this, the navigation UI at least seems much nicer (no travelling to one location to allow travel to another), and you get to interactively explain what Phoenix was doing in the intervening seven years, albeit with some Back-To-The-Future style logic flaws. Though this section of the game is relatively short, it's heavy on the exposition, which makes it pretty pleasant if you've been trying to work out what had happened.The game definitely has its flaws: there are the usual bits where you can pick to cite some evidence which you know is relevant but the game doesn't want, however the game is more forgiving of this in general than its predecessors. There are also a few stumpers which require you to know something that the game has not clearly conveyed - for example, a word in blood which has actually been smudged rather than sloppily written. Finally, of course, there's very little replay value.Overall, the game is quite well-produced and eminently fun to play. If you like mysteries or graphical adventures at all, it's worth a go; just be prepared to google for a walkthrough in case you need it.

1.2.2009

If, like me, you're a loyal fan of the Phoenix Wright games, you may be hesitant to try this game, but after playing it, I can say, don't let preconceptions put you off. It's true, that this game is just like a new Phoenix Wright, but that seems to be the point, and it's not a negative thing, as there are differences to the original games.Apollo Justice is a rookie defense attorney, taking over where Phoenix left off. His clients are people who always appear to be overwhelmingly guilty, yet somehow, as the game progresses, Apollo is able to turn around the evidence in order to get a 'not guilty' verdict (hence the fact that each episode begins with 'turnabout'- like the Phoenix Wright episodes).Your time is spent investigating,searching for crucial pieces of evidence and then, when you have your evidence, you proceed to the courtroom (don't worry if you think you've missed a piece of evidence, as the game will not let you proceed to court unless you find all that you need. This means that you will have what you need in court, you just need to figure out how, and when, to use it).The difficulty level of the game varies. At times you may be convinced that a piece of evidence is relevant, but it is dismissed in court, andyou are awarded a penalty (too many penalties in court equals an instant 'Guilty' verdict from the judge). If you are truly stuck (which, I'll admit, I was at times) you can always search for an online walkthrough, but try not to do this often if you want to get as much enjoyment out of the game as possible. There is a great deal of satisfaction in working out 'who did what, and why' on your own, without help.Most of the characters are new, but there are familiar faces from the earlier Ace Attorney games, which definately makes thegame more enjoyable (the first case in particular re-introduces a popular character in quite a shocking turn of events).The new characters are interesting, in particular, the addition of Klavier Gavin, rockstar/ prosecutor, is a welcome one (although, for me, Miles Edgeworth is still the best prosecutor!) :)If you've played the Phoenix Wright games, you'll remember the 'Magatama' and the 'Psyche-Locks,' which Phoenix sees when someone is lying to him.Apollo Justice, however, offers a new spin on this, as Apollo is able to use his bracelet to detect lies through the nervous habits of witnesses. This is particularly interesting, as a witness' testimony can seem water-tight, but the subtle body-language casts doubt on what they are saying. The nervous habits are usually very difficult to 'percieve,' and in order to spot them, you are given a close up, slow-motion view of the witness, which you use to search their body for the nervous habit, as well as when it is displayed (in particular, what they are saying when they give away their discomfort).This game is great fun for anyone new to the Ace Attorney franchise, as well as those suffering from Phoenix Wright withdrawal symptoms!Even if you have never played the other games, the game is very easy and fun to use, and I guarantee you'll be revisiting the earlier games! Enjoy.

28.2.2014

Well, what can i say. This game was effectively Made For Me. It just has that feeling about it.After playing most of the Ace Attorney Games, I decided to purchase Apollo Justice. I was a bit worried at first as it felt rather different waiting for this, As i knew Phoenix Wright wasn't the Lead character. I can safely say though that this was without doubt, The Best one i have played. I know others will have they're opinions on which Ace Attorney game is best, and they are all excellent game, I would put Apollo Justice right at the top of my list.The first point I want to make about this game and why i feel its the Game made for me is, The Music Soundtrack. I was blown away by it.

18.11.2008

I am by no means an expert on the DS or the Phoenix Wright series; in fact this is the first DS game I have bought on my first handheld console, but for what it's worth, I found it to be a very engaging and enjoyable game.The graphics are slick and (compared to the flash-back play scenes) much better looking. For each trial you gain quite a large amount of evidence, some pieces more useful than others. In fact, some pieces are all but red herrings, which can be a bit irksome but only adds to the realism of the game.Unless you cheat, there is some emphasis on using your brain to get through the cases as it's not always obvious where it's heading, which leads me onto the main flaw of the game.

13.3.2009

I finally got around to playing Apollo Justice after my beloved Phoenix Wright had left the building. And i can confirm it is a brill game!Ok, to be honest i was going to give this 4 stars because i wasnt mad keen on the 1st case and the 2nd case, although good, wasnt gripping me until over half way through. but the 3rd and 4th cases were bloody brilliant! Although i did get slightly confused in the 4th case, i got my head around things soon enough. And in the 4th case you realise that the 1st one means much more under the surface! i also will admit here that i used a walkthrough 3 times to progress in the game, something i didnt do in the PW games! so i think this one is slightly more challenging.

7.12.2009

I was bought this game for my holiday and really enjoyed it, although it has a fairly simple structure it really holds your attention and keeps you entertained. The simple animations don't complicate the game and keep it simple.To sum the game up as a whole I would say that it pretty much consists of two main parts; investigations and trials. In investigations you examine murder scenes and surrounding areas linked with the crime. You will alsoquestion suspects, witnesses and killers. Ema Skye, a forensic scientist, is also involved somewhat in later cases, she will help and allow you to perform forensic investigations with the stylus like fingerprinting,

22.8.2009

The Best!!! I really enjoyed this game and found it hard to put down. There's a lot of play time, so you get your money's worth. Yes it's the same format of searching for clues and then the courtroom, but injected are some fun forensic science games, finding finger prints and other things. I'm so glad the mystic ones have gone! Pheonix may not be the atttourney but he's around and you might find the magnata pops in a bit. However, Apollo has a different way of finding the truth and it can be quite hard at times. I admit I had to cheat a couple of times but generally it's not so hard that you can't enjoy it. Trucy is cute and it's nice to see Pheonix with some responsibility.

16.5.2008

If you enjoyed the three Phoenix Wright games you'll enjoy this. It's more of exactly the same - investigation followed by trial, followed by further investigation and more trial. There are the usual infuriating moments when you can't work out what to do next, but that's all part of the fun.I don't want to give too much away, but you might get a shock from the opening couple of cases. Don't worry, because everything is resolved in the end, and you learn to like the new characters as much as the old ones. I really liked the fact that each of the cases is linked together - it all forms one coherent story (in a way that the PW games only partly managed to achieve)Only complaint is that,

26.12.2014

BUY THIS GAME YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!!I loved the Phoenix Wright games, they were all fantastic and I was worried that this game would be terrible. There tends to be a bad vibe surrounding this game, I'm assuming because you don't play as Phoenix himself, but he is there throughout the game so you do still see him. I was very hesitant about buying the game but I caved especially since I didn't want to play Dual Destinies without playing all the former games first. I was wrong about this game, it was amazing, every story leads up the finale (similar to the other games) giving you a stunning ending, I was bouncing out of my seat by the end as everything wrapped up beautifully,

4.10.2013

Continuing court dramas in a Japanese interpretation of a near-future American legal system. This is probably the most outrageous entry in the series to date. While the new main character, Apollo Justice, doesn't really stand out in terms of his character, the insight into an older Phoenix Wright, the new sidekick Trucy Wright and the new rival Klavier Gavin are all brilliant. The psyche-lock mechanic has been replaced with time-dilated eye-balling system that allows Apollo to notice subtle cues that reveal a character is lying. The mechanic can be laborious at times, but is commensurately rewarding when completed successfully.As with the rest of the Ace Attorney series,

16.9.2009

I had a lot of fun playing Apollo Justice - I've played one of the Pheonix Wright ones, and this is very similar with one or two new things that Apollo can do that Pheonix couldn't. It took me quite a long time to play (partly 'cause I got stuck a few time and had to keep trying every piece of evidence with every witness until I got a good reaction, but usually when I did I thought I should have figured it out myself 'cause it made sense). The stories were interesting and sometimes funny and I loved the arc that ran through them all and how everything came together at the end.

1.5.2009

Well, after playing the first three games in the ace attorney series, I just had to get this game, and I was far from disappointed. Apollo Justice has sharper graphics, more intense music, and an amazing storyline with no end to twists and surprises to top it all off. This game also brings back the fingerprint identifying feature from the first game, along with footprint identifying and 3D crime scene reconstruction. With a brand new lively cast and a couple of familiar faces, Apollo Justice lives up to the high Ace Attorney standards. Would definitely recommend!

10.6.2008

i have followed all of these games and was a bit dubious when i seen a new title but hey am amazed different characters, harder trials, and a lot more intresting ,and as the chapters go on it does test youre skills !and abilities! but well worth the effort will be sitting in anticipation for the sequel, graphics great and twists and plots intriguing!! huge enjoyment and some frustrtion trying to piece it all together but you will understand when you play!!!!!!! happy gaming

22.7.2009

Apollo Justice is a truly outstanding game, but compared to its predecessors, that shiny gleam doesn't look quite so shiny. Some of the things it says have happened in the 7-year gap between T&T and this require a large suspension of disbelief, as the actions of some characters are completely different to how we knew them. Great as it is, it's just not *quite* as good as the previous three. Well, the first and the third. Von Karma Jnr is still extremely annoying.

12.3.2016

Playing this time as Apollo Justice, this is another brilliant game from the creators of the Phoenix Wright games. The chap pops by later, but you won't play as him. Don't want to give any plot away, but this is a super instalment in the series: it's more of the same action-packed courtroom drama, humour and brilliant character design. With characters and intrigue, what's not to love? Klavier and Apollo are a cute couple.

Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice (DS) - Reviews

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