Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials & Tribulations (DS)

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Of course, these powers frequently cause complications, making the logistics of already complicated murder plots all the more messy. When the last argument is heard and the final 'Objection!' shouted, a deeply personal, somewhat noir mystery has unfolded -- one that touches the lives of Phoenix and friends. Betrayal and sacrifice surface as major themes, with old enemies and allies joining the battle. Phoenix's rivals Miles Edgeworth and Franziska von Karma turn up, as do a handful of pals and acquaintances, like Wright's old buddy Larry Butz. One of the game's greatest feats is the way it manages to create endearing, frequently funny characters out of even the smallest roles. That's to say nothing of the game's leads, who take on lives of their own thanks to great writing and expressive, though limited, animation. The only blank slate in the entire affair is Phoenix, and even he's got a lot going for him. The guy is fiercely loyal to friends and he stands behind his clients when all the evidence is stacked against them.

While Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations pulls out all the stops when it comes to verbiage, it's downright restrained in nearly every other respect. Part of the reason for the game's simplicity is that it was originally created for the GameBoy Advance. Taking its roots into consideration, it's admirable how much mileage the game gets out of a handful of drawings, sound effects and backgrounds. What's more remarkable is the fact that Capcom hasn't felt the need to pad the game out with enhancements for the Nintendo DS. The game simply doesn't need them. It's arguable that the added interactivity would do more harm than good, mucking up a perfectly polished adventure game formula. Hotel Dusk, another, similar mystery for the DS, gives players more freedom, allowing them to roam the 3-D halls of the titular hotel. All the added mobility really accomplished was to create more opportunities for confusion. In this way, Trials and Tribulations' limitations double as one of its best features. As befuddling as one of the game's puzzles gets, it's clear that there are only a handful of options at the player's disposal.

The game's one weakness is that it occasionally requires players to make leaps in logic or hold back on an angle they know to be true until the story is ready for the revelation. Only then does Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations feel limiting or frustrating. The moments a player feels tempted to reach for a walkthrough are greatly outnumbered by the times they find themselves immersed in the game's funny, touching and soulful story. Videogame writing simply doesn't get any better.

This review was based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.