By nestlekwik
Capcom aims to please Gyakuten Saiban fans in the United States as Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations concludes the Phoenix Wright trilogy. Before the torch is passed and Apollo Justice takes the stand in Gyakuten Saiban 4, players will get one last taste of the classic Game Boy Advance formula on which the series has garnered much success, but with very few changes made from part two to three, is Trials and Tribulations still guilty of being fun?
Not originally published for the DS, the game hits the United States for the first time in this best-selling reprint of Gyakuten Saiban 3. Again, players are going to have to take the port at face value as the title carries its GBA graphics and sound, but anyone who has played through the first two installments know the true nature of the game lies in its gripping storytelling and mind-bending logic-based game play.
Everything found in Justice For All makes its way into Trials and Tribulations, presenting little difference between the two titles aside from new cases and characters. Part three is served up to dish out fan service to its returning customers as a number of characters and elements from previous games resurface in the new title and at certain points in the game, players will actually be able assume the roles of different characters in the series as they also defend clients from murder charges and investigate crime scenes.
Thankfully, though, Trials and Tribulations extends the game play from Justice for All a little bit thanks to an extra, fifth case. For the most part, all five cases tie together as they piece together the history of Phoenix Wright’s career and the past that has been troubling him since he was student. The conclusion of the trilogy wraps up nicely in the title, detailing what exactly has happened to a number of characters through the course of Phoenix Wright’s career before he becomes enshrouded in mystery in Gyakuten Saiban 4. While five cases might seem short at first, the length and detail required to go through each case provides for a deceptively long title that takes quite some time to finish.
As par with the Phoenix Wright titles, the graphics and sound, although a straight port of the Game Boy Advance quality presentation, both do their job to supplement the quality game play of the title. The characters are presented in huge, vivid sprites that convey the anime-inspired nature of the title and the sound and music, while recycled quite often and are mostly directly from past titles, cue in at appropriate times to set the current mood of the situation. And, of course, who can forget the series flagship igairi battle cry? Objection!
Admittedly, if you haven’t enjoyed the previous two titles, there is no added incentive that will change your mind for Trials and Tribulations. The game is a massive book of text and logic, which will drive away any gamer who doesn’t like to read or think. Also, much like Justice for All, there is little incentive to play through the game multiple times as there is nothing new to do after all of the cases are completed. Hopefully, the U.S. will see the specialized encyclopedia made available with the Japanese Gyakuten Saiban 4 that unlocks gallery content with game progress.
Overall, Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations provides yet another break from the norm with a play style that is perfectly suited for the Nintendo DS. Taking the game with you on the go is much like bringing along a great mystery novel for one those long trips. While the game is another Game Boy Advance port, it in no way hampers the aspect that truly matters - Trials and Tribulations will take you on a ride of its own, engrossing players in an extensive storyline that is hard to put down and sticks in your mind even after you put the DS down.
GemuBaka Final Review Score: 4 out of 5
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