The role of the courts makes for fascinating television and movies, but they don’t get their due in video games. Thankfully, Phoenix Wright is here to raise a firm objection to that notion. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, from Capcom, finally brings the first three games to home consoles. Can these games stand the test of time? Let’s look at the evidence.
Phoenix Wright is a rookie defense attorney who has to defend his innocent clients from an overzealous court systeme. Cases are decided in three days. so Wright must find the evidence that proves his client’s innocence. The players must talk to witnesses and find the clues to point to the real criminal. Then it is time for the courtroom battle, where Wright and the player must present evidence at the right time, press the witnesses to expose their lies and make sure the client goes free.
This format is like the old television show Perry Mason. It is the defense attorney who uncovers the true criminal. These games are so well written and mixed with just the right amount of crazy that the cases never get boring or repetitive. There is a definite anime influence, such as one prosecutor wielding a whip during trial. The cases are hard, but fair. The player might miss a key bit of information, but the solution always plays fair.
The game looks amazing, as the cutscenes were just given a little polish and then set free. The sound will get you pumped up as Wright argues his case. The only negative is that the screens sometimes go by a little too fast. In a game where everything is important, it is easy to miss that one sentence that could win the case. One of the improvements is that the player now can read the dialogue at their own pace.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy should be played by old fans of the series as well as newcomers. The game is simple to play, but takes time to master. Putting the games on the modern consoles will make this game much more accessible to people, and that is the correct verdict everyone can agree on.
9/10
Available on PC, PS4, Switch and Xbox
