17.6.2010

It's nice to see the other side of things!For the last four games in the series, Ace Attorney has followed defence lawyer Phoenix Wright, and then Apollo Justice in their mission to save the innocents accused of dastardly crimes. This time, it's the turn of the key prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, who has appeared in almost all the previous games so far. You guide him through what should have been an ordinary few days, which ends with him becoming embroiled accidentally in murder. Never one to leave things alone, he sets out to solve the goings on around him, helped and hindered by Agent Lang, the new investigator, and his mandatory teenage-girl sidekick Kay Faraday.It's set just after the third Phoenix Wright game (Trials and Tribulations)and several years before the later Apollo Justice. Though it's never explicitly said, some character's ages give this away, and vague references to other characters not appearing in this game. However, it can be played without knowing anything about the other games in the story arc at all. The characters' personalities come to light quickly enough, and you can quickly gauge who's got history with whom. Often, clarifying statements are made by characters to this end - explaining who so-and-so was, briefly. You'll just miss out on that mysteriously pleasing feeling when Miles makes an allusion to Phoenix at rare intervals.The gameplay is as intuitive as ever - point and click in the crime scenes to discover pieces of evidence. New in this game is Deduction, wherein Miles can combine an area he's examining with a piece of evidence in his Organiser. The backgrounds are as interesting and well-drawn as ever, as are the new characters. I could definitely see some of them returning in later games. The main difference is in investigating, where you see a little Miles Edgeworth walking around the scenes in third person, unlike previously, where you don't see Phoenix really unless he's in court. If you've not played the others, you ought to be told that there's a lot of reading involved, as one person pointed out. It's probably closer to an interactive story at some points than a real game.Phoenix Wright had his magatama, and Apollo had his bracelet and Perception, so too does Miles Edgeworth have his Logic. Unlike his defence counterparts, Miles' skill is not in catching out lies in the courtroom, but in putting together seemingly unrelated pieces of information to arrive at a new conclusion. Intermittently, throughout the game, new information is added to his logic screen, and when two pieces appear related, they're joined together to further the progress of the investigation.Once the investigation of an area is over, often Miles argues with another character - sometimes the murderer themselves! This part plays out much like the court scenes from the previous games, though not nearly as long, and without the Judge as the mediator. Testimony is given by another character, and this time, it is Miles who cross-examines, pressing and presenting evidence to catch lies and acquire more information. There's no Not Guilty verdict this time, just the satisfaction of the murderer being carted off by the police.The story line was pleasing, and interesting, with all the intricacies that come together as you'd expect from the other games. There are five cases in total - each in close proximity time-wise to the others, and they're as long as you'd imagine from the others. Definitely not a short game by any standards, and as usual, the last case is the longest.I just... don't think it's as good. I think, like someone else mentioned, it's missing going to court. Even though that part often drove me mental in other games, I miss it. It seems like you've only played part of the game in that sense. I didn't enjoy the cross-examining in the crime scene as much. Even though I loved Agent Lang, even though I loved seeing Detective Gumshoe again in al l his bumbling glory, and the Logic, and walking around in third person in the crime scene... I miss the court! And I found Kay an irritating sidekick.It's a shame, because I think if you'd had the investigation, and then the trial, but from the prosecution's point of view, it'd have been an amazing game. As it is, it's still great, and I'm sure I'll replay it for the story value, like I have with the others. Not the best of the Ace Attorney games, but definitely an excellent play, with lots of intesting new characters, and worth buying.

5.3.2010

The Ace Attorney series returns in a new spin-off that let's Miles Edgeworth take the leading role. He lives up to it well and there are some very funny interactions between old and new characters. Of course the Edgeworth and Gumshoe (or as he gets re-named 'Gummy') team is a winning combination and loses nothing for the addition of Kay (aka The Great Thief) who acts as the typical wacky assistant (see 'The Great Magician' aka Trucy in Apollo and 'The Ace Psychic-in-Training' aka Maya in Phoenix). Kay is a great character who plays off well against Miles and has an interesting story of her own to tell. The other new characters are also a good addition, though feel a little same-y at times.It's the return of the old characters, however, that I felt let this game down. As a fan of the series, seeing the old characters is a big draw for me but at the same time the constant 'reveal' of them seemed to me a lazy way of the game-makers to engage the fans. Some old characters (like a 13 year old Franziska) were really interesting as the use of them in past and present scenes did add further character development; but most of the scrambled in old faces were just a comfortable nod to the old games without really hitting the mark by showing us the only two characters from the Phoenix Wright series we would actually love to see! Yep - yet again there is no Maya Fey and this time even no Phoenix himself. Perhaps these additions would have taken the spotlight away from Miles but it's been a few years now since we've had any mention of the Fey family...I didn't find the cases (which are ultimately all murders) particularly as interesting as previous Attorney games. All the victims are forgettable and the culprits not too hard to spot. Even the big reveal at the end isn't as mind-blowing as plot twists in the Attorney series' usually go. However, if you found it frustrating before trying to work out which evidence to present and when, then this game could be more enjoyable. Miles usually spells out what evidence is needed and the 'logic' is not very difficult to follow. An easier game by far than any other of the series - I didn't so much as look for a cheat guide for any of the five episodes.Though the new gameplay is good fun. I liked the option to deduce parts of the crime scenes and connecting the pieces of logic (though not difficult) was nevertheless a welcome addition.I have to own that I missed the court room battles. There is an episode which lets you enter court (not in the usual manner however) and that was probably my favourite one. Staying at the crime scene somehow made each episode drag on - I wish we had the option to at least go to the Criminal Affairs dept or perhaps if there had been more forensics to do (the minor part of Ema Skye hardly added anything to the investigation - not once did we get to test for fingerprints or blood traces!).Overall, it was a good game to play but unlike the previous ones I don't feel its one I would necessarily enjoy playing again.

2.4.2010

I'm a HUGE fan of the attorney series and here we are, a game i waited a long time for. To actually play the best character ever (imo) Miles Edgeworth. And if i love him so much, why not 5 stars? Well, as much as i loved the game, there were things i missed.So other reviews have covered the game brilliantly so i wont go into it too much, but i really did miss not going to court. And also you dont get to move around much, you basically stay at the scene of the crime, or in that area. One of the best things about the previous games for me was seeing lots of different locations. Of course in this game you get to walk around and look for evidence that way, which worked really well.

7.3.2010

I had high hopes for the latest installment of the Ace Attorney games, and it certainly doesn't disappoint. The game lives up to the legacy passed down from the previous games and is overall a thoroughly enjoyable experience.The graphics are pretty much the same as Apollo Justice, meaning that they are detailed two dimensional profile sprites, which is just what anyone would expect from the game. The investigation parts of the game aren't as detailed in the sprite department, though the backgrounds and environments are very good.Sound-wise, the music featured in the game is of a reasonable standard, someofthe characters themes are spot on, some are a little weak.

23.2.2010

Although it is not one of the best sequels to the Ace Attorney Series but the game team has once again brought us a mind gripping and thrilling story line which brings us days of enjoyment. The gameplay is similar to the previous series with the addition of logic / deduction and re-enactment of the crime scenes.There are some reviews criticising some of the "logic" in the gameplay but if you have played the Ace Attorney series before, you will not find it difficult to solve all the cases.The only downside of this game, well it doesn't affect the five star rating, is the music. However, it will be very difficult for any of the coming installments, if any, to match the background music in Trial & Tribulation.

26.2.2010

A great installment brillaintly ridiculous and funny Ace Attorney series, a return to form after the disapointing (for me anyway) Apollo Justice, sees charismatic Prosecuter Miles Edgeworth at the helm.The new "logic & deduction" system is real improvement, missing out the frustrating part in the earlier games where you inevitably end up stuck and jumping from one location to another looking for another character to talk to / finding a missed clue to click.Despite the moving of this edition from the courtroom to the outside world, the gameplay has stayed familiar, with the testimony / rebuttal phase taking the place of the courtroom cross-examination. The graphics are improved and we even get a few cameos from some old characters,

4.10.2013

A slight change of scene for the Ace Attorney series, but the same charm and enthralling mysteries. Great characters and excellent music make this game a joy to play in long sessions or short stints. It's also refreshing to play as an ace attorney with self-confidence for a change. Miles has developed into a surprisingly deep character over the series and is his first outing as a lead protagonist he does not disappoint.Thanks to the change in main character and the slight shift in tone, this game is perhaps more welcoming to newcomers to the series. While I'd still recommend playing the whole Ace Attorney series in order (they are all good games)

24.2.2010

With a host of new characters making the scene, and five gripping new cases to solve, this Tops the courtroom battles perfectly. The latest game keeps the story upbeat and fresh as apposed to the Phoenix Wright series, where you would work through 12 testimonies, before finishing that virtual "day". This time round, you are examining the crime scene, and challenging the witnesses in order to prove them wrong and declare them Guilty. This has a somewhat shorter challenge, however, for the most part, it is easier to spot where the contradiction is, however the area to find the evidence is much wider. A good game and worth the wait.

1.5.2017

A rather different game from the Phoenix Wright series, this is definitely a spinoff game. You get some interesting movement animation, which is a new thing, as the originals are point-and-click adventures. Pretty decent plot, some zany new pals and villains, good soundtrack which doesn't grate. Not great, but overall certainly not a terrible addition to the series; play it when the hole left in your heart by the completion of the original games starts to bleed.PS. Not gay enough.

9.5.2012

A great spin off of the Ace Attorney Series. Recommend for any fan. Well worth it. It doesn't follow the normal regime of court than investigation or vice versa, which in some ways is good as its that little bit different. Miles Edgeworth as the Main character and given him his own game was a good idea as he was character that did feature alot in the previous games of Ace Attorney, but is seen in a somewhat different light in this game.

5.2.2017

As a huge fan of Edgeworth, I had to buy this game and I loved it from the very beginning. The gameplay is slightly different to Phoenix's games, but I enjoyed the walking feature and the logic connections that can be made between pieces of evidence. The murder mysteries were just as good as any in the Ace Attorney universe and the best part was cameos made by other characters! One of the best games I have played this year!

5.8.2010

This game is absolutely brilliant. I have all the previous Ace Attorney games and it is pretty much the same as those with some variations in game play. I just wish they would turn these games out quicker as I never seem to be able to find anything on the market that comes anywhere near. Highly recommended, but would suggest starting with the first game in the series and working your way through.

5.2.2013

I love these games. They have all been bought for my 10 yr old. He dips in and out of it, and helps me along, but i'm a bit addicted, I wish they lasted longer but I suppose they are long enough. They are quite taxing but not too much. Nothing to be taken seriously. What can I say?Good to wind down with, better than watching mindless reality tv, or endless repeats.

8.3.2014

The fourth installment to the series where you play as the ever logical Miles Edgeworth and introducting a brand new gamplay system, with old and new faces alike, discover the past of our favorite prosecutor in this fantastic adventure XD

29.3.2013

One of the better ones in the Ace Attorney series and has a fantastic interconnected story, fits well in the middle of Trials and Tribulations so i would recommend playing that first.

Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth (DS) - Reviews

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