Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies: The fifth (or seventh overall) entry of the series onto the 3DS platform is a long step from the GBA/DS years. The developers were able to fully take advantage of the system, now with better quality music, 3D character models and backgrounds, voice acting, plus the 3D effect making everywhere you go seem vast and feel like real places. It makes a game have personality compared to the previous titles. The entry hasnt strayed too far from the familiar formula: following a linear path of solving cases, collect as much evidence, interviewing eccentric characters. As a visual novel dont expect much gameplay but playing this its best to keep an open mind as you read the endless ocean of texts if you want to do well in court since you do have only 5 chances to not screw up. The new (Im calling it the mood gadget) is interesting and it does bring more depth into the testifying witnesses. Sound is the fun part of the game: most of the games soundtrack are my favorite themes to listen to. Thanks to the 3DSs capabilities real, orchestrated (?) music are used adding more drama like murder mysteries such as CSI. Voice acting is a big step as well. While not much, with real voice actors does make the game attract a bigger crowd since these voice actors have voiced animes, other games etc. I cant say much about graphics but once again the 3DSs capabilities were a great help to it. Character movements feel fluid and smooth, ditching the sprites which did get very old (in the seriess case) after six entries. Story-wise the concepts are excellent: the theme about the corruption within law, bonds, humanity, results and emotions. Every episode has at least something related to the theme. Plus this game is dark. The game has a M-rating for a very obvious but good reason.Each episode is typical Ace Attorney drama with surprising turns at nearly every corner. The characters are memorable. While Phoenix Wright isnt much around but that means theres more screen time for Apollo Justice and the new lawyer: Athena Cykes. The main prosecutor is by far my favorite...well prosecutor. That stiff and dark appearance, and the honey badger-like attitude and unique dialogue makes him enjoyable an enjoyable character to watch. The biggest complaint I do have with the game is the limited voice acting. Its understandable that the game is pure text but with cutscenes outside the usual Objection! and such it does feel limited, not realizing the potential of immersing players into the courtroom drama. On the cutscenes: its fine in 2D but in 3D, it does feel like a diorama with 2D-animated characters sticking out like a sore thumb. Not much of a bother, but it really sticks out. Finally like most other Ace Attorney games, there really isnt much reason to go back to play the whole thing, but...you can now select any chapter in an episode so players can go back to their favorite scenes (then again we have Youtube...). In conclusion, this game revolutionizes to whole series because of how much is offered to the developers to bring something new to the series. The game truly has personality, almost like a alienated sheep in its own herd, in a good way. Funny characters, great music, interesting story. While players who are not familiar to the series are not drawn by this 3DS title, its still a fantastic game that introduces new players and pleases old fan. Id give it a 4.5/5
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 07:32:07 +0000
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