It has taken quite some time but at last I have finally turned my attention to Trials and Tribulations, the third game staring ace attorney Phoenix Wright. Again still using the same formula, this game still stands out as it ties up all the loose ends from Ace Attorney and Justice for All all the while providing colourful and unique characters with ever challenging puzzles.
Overview
Being the third game staring Phoenix, one can easily think that it is ‘just another day at the office’ for our spiky haired attorney. This could not be further from truth. Everything hinted at or left open in the first two games is brought into the open. As well as defending his clients, Phoenix also has to draw to a close past events.
Game Play
As I have said before, this third game still makes use of the same formula as the first two. Players still alternate between investigation (look for clues) and trial (defend and uncover the truth) modes, still use a point and click interface and still use a special item, the magatama, to further press characters for further clues to support the current case.
The only change is the difficult with the puzzles. For the most part, the puzzles are simplified thus the contradiction to a witness testimony is easily uncovered using an obvious piece of evidence. However, some are still outright annoying – especially where the contradiction is obvious but the player has disprove other contradictions before being able to use the obvious.
Despite this, the mechanic behind the game are still sound and they provide plenty of challenge without getting repetitious.
Story
Story wise, Trials and Tribulations has the largest and complex story of the three. Like the previous games, players proceed through a collection of episodes and all contribute to a larger story which is brought to a close in the final episode.
Unlike the previous games, Trials and Tribulations alternates between multiple characters. Beside Phoenix, the player also acts as Phoenix’s mentor, Mia Fey, and at one point plays as Miles Edgeworth as Phoenix recovers in a hospital. This can only be described as ironic comic relief. Miles is Phoenix’s opposite in the previous games – Phoenix defends clients while Miles tries to convict them.
Overall, the story is well rounded and deep, the characters are well detailed and there are moments when one simply has to sympathise with them as events unfold.
Graphics and Sound
Again, like the first two games, Trials and Tribulations is a port from a Japanese only release on the Gameboy Advance. As a result all graphics are 2D. Despite being a port, there has been plenty of attention to detail with all characters, new and old.
The sound is much the same as the preceding games – the effects are simple but the soundtrack is extensive. Every character presented in the game has his or her own theme, practically no two characters had the same theme.
Besides character themes, the game is also backed (as usual) with an extensive musical score. Each environment has its own theme. During times of peace and clam, the music is smooth and pleasant. During moments of action, the music is full of beat and brings forth a sense of urgency.
Overall
When I review each game, I try to evaluate individual and treat each game as standalone. When it comes to installments, it is not easy and the Ace Attorney series is no exception. The formula in terms of game mechanics has been pretty static with only a single addition in the second game. Despite this, each game has been a good experience and Trials and Tribulations proves that tried and true can still work.
Closure has been brought at last, all lose ends from all three games have been tied and everyone moves one. Colourful characters with their own nature, theme and style, an extensive soundtrack and mind challenging puzzles all blend together in what would have to be the best of the Ace Attorney series so far (including Apollo Justice).
The only problem is copies of this game are hard to come by. For those looking, the Japanese ‘best value/hits’ version has both a Japanese and English track.
Overview
Being the third game staring Phoenix, one can easily think that it is ‘just another day at the office’ for our spiky haired attorney. This could not be further from truth. Everything hinted at or left open in the first two games is brought into the open. As well as defending his clients, Phoenix also has to draw to a close past events.
Game Play
As I have said before, this third game still makes use of the same formula as the first two. Players still alternate between investigation (look for clues) and trial (defend and uncover the truth) modes, still use a point and click interface and still use a special item, the magatama, to further press characters for further clues to support the current case.
The only change is the difficult with the puzzles. For the most part, the puzzles are simplified thus the contradiction to a witness testimony is easily uncovered using an obvious piece of evidence. However, some are still outright annoying – especially where the contradiction is obvious but the player has disprove other contradictions before being able to use the obvious.
Despite this, the mechanic behind the game are still sound and they provide plenty of challenge without getting repetitious.
Story
Story wise, Trials and Tribulations has the largest and complex story of the three. Like the previous games, players proceed through a collection of episodes and all contribute to a larger story which is brought to a close in the final episode.
Unlike the previous games, Trials and Tribulations alternates between multiple characters. Beside Phoenix, the player also acts as Phoenix’s mentor, Mia Fey, and at one point plays as Miles Edgeworth as Phoenix recovers in a hospital. This can only be described as ironic comic relief. Miles is Phoenix’s opposite in the previous games – Phoenix defends clients while Miles tries to convict them.
Overall, the story is well rounded and deep, the characters are well detailed and there are moments when one simply has to sympathise with them as events unfold.
Graphics and Sound
Again, like the first two games, Trials and Tribulations is a port from a Japanese only release on the Gameboy Advance. As a result all graphics are 2D. Despite being a port, there has been plenty of attention to detail with all characters, new and old.
The sound is much the same as the preceding games – the effects are simple but the soundtrack is extensive. Every character presented in the game has his or her own theme, practically no two characters had the same theme.
Besides character themes, the game is also backed (as usual) with an extensive musical score. Each environment has its own theme. During times of peace and clam, the music is smooth and pleasant. During moments of action, the music is full of beat and brings forth a sense of urgency.
Overall
When I review each game, I try to evaluate individual and treat each game as standalone. When it comes to installments, it is not easy and the Ace Attorney series is no exception. The formula in terms of game mechanics has been pretty static with only a single addition in the second game. Despite this, each game has been a good experience and Trials and Tribulations proves that tried and true can still work.
Closure has been brought at last, all lose ends from all three games have been tied and everyone moves one. Colourful characters with their own nature, theme and style, an extensive soundtrack and mind challenging puzzles all blend together in what would have to be the best of the Ace Attorney series so far (including Apollo Justice).
The only problem is copies of this game are hard to come by. For those looking, the Japanese ‘best value/hits’ version has both a Japanese and English track.
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