For over 20 years, Capcom’s Phoenix Wright series has been a diamond in the rough for Nintendo and the newest entry in the series, “Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies” on the 3DS may be the most charming of all.
Regardless it doesn’t change the problems that have plagued the series since its birth.
Simply put, if you loved this series before, your affection for this game will be more passionate than a fox with nine tales or a killer whale with a moustache (if you don’t get those references, you haven’t played the game yet). Regardless of several aesthetic and gameplay improvements, if you weren’t a fan before, this title won’t change your mind.
Like a great TV drama, the Phoenix Wright series requires you to fall in love with both the story and the characters. More an electronic and immersive graphic novel than a fully-fledged video game, the series isn’t for casual button mashers. Just like some gamers prefer first-person shooters over RPGs, the group that prefer this hybrid title will instantly fall in love with “Dual Destinies.” Those who would rather spend their time looking through a sniper’s scope, than reading a plethora of text can’t and won’t appreciate what the series has to offer.
That doesn’t mean that they can’t appreciate the look of the game though. For the first time in full 3D, there’s more than the signature story telling that makes “Dual Destinies” shine. The courtroom and the characters look beautiful, as well as the many cinemas that help put the pieces of the story together. You won’t expect the game to look this good. Considering its narrative-heavy diet, it certainly doesn’t need to either. Nevertheless, it’s easily one of the game’s biggest selling points.
The story continues the game from the plot developments of the last game in the series and has Phoenix Wright and Apollo Justice team up with a new lawyer, Athena Cykes, who can use a device around her neck and her unique skills to see into the hearts and souls of those on the witness stand, in order to find discrepancies in their testimonies you wouldn’t normally have been privy to. While it’s certainly a cool addition to the title, it also forces the gamer to use their stylus a bit more, breaking up the monotony of reading for most of the gameplay, Capcom has integrated the new gameplay elements seamlessly, allowing veterans of the series to quickly feel at home with them. The end result is a breath of fresh air in a series that for a long time feature scare new gameplay improvements.
Like previous games in the series, the stories are laced with anime-styled story elements and pop culture references. The characters aren’t perfect. Phoenix bluffs his way through cross-examination, a prosecutor keeps tapping his hairpiece on his head and the judge is as aloof as ever. This bizarre, yet completely enthralling environment is anything but a realistic interpretation of an actual courtroom. But that doesn’t mean it won’t lock your hands on your 3DS for hours at a time. With a cast of eccentric but relatable characters, “Dual Destinies” quickly wins you over.
Much like “Dungeons and Dragons” and even “Pokemon,” the Phoenix Wright series is a niche game and in this case, a very small one. That shouldn’t deter gamers looking for something new or fans of the series from “Dual-Destinies”, especially since so much has been added visually and from a gameplay element to make the game current and worthwhile. Overall, it’s a polished title with a strong narrative that continues to add credibility to a cult-favorite series.
The Good:
Tons to do: Each case can take around three hours and with five of them and one via DLC, there’s plenty to do and experience.
Attachment to Characters Still the Game’s Strongest Feature: All of the characters, from Phoenix, to Apollo and even the judge are silly, quirky and endearing. You’ll often forget you’ve been mostly reading and pressing a button or two here and there. Like a TV sitcom, “Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies” hits the player in the chest in terms of plot and character development.
Awesome Anime-Esque Cut Scenes: The 3DS visuals make the already brightly colored characters pop that much more. Seeing the courtroom in 3D is also a cool experience. The short cinemas that play in-between, before and after cases is a nice reward for continuing the story. It’s some of the best looking video work on the system to date.
Rewarding Gameplay: Finding clues and solving a case is still a blast. Between the attachment to the characters and the deep story, the payoff at the end of every case is still there.
The Bad:
Drawn-Out Stories Lose Casual Gamers: Even though the stories are well-written (aside from a few missing words and typos), they develop at the speed of a novella. Younger gamers looking for action will not get their fill here. The same thing goes for impatient button-mashers who want their fix quickly. Simply put, “Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies” is a game that will captivate those who appreciate it’s storytelling style, but will bore more “casual” gamers.
Less Skill and Critical Thinking Needed than You Might Expect: The first playthrough, “Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies” forces you to think, but after a while you’ll realize that can make mistakes and simply use process of elimination to solve the more complex cases. Incredibly linear, there’s no way to move your questioning in another direction. This robs the game of some of its authenticity and allows you to get through extremely challenging segments by simply replaying them until you find the right answer.
