Case #2 done on Phoenix Wright 3, Zvarri!

[Julius Seeker]

Does anyone know what Zvarri means anyway?

Either way, I do think that so far this game is the best of the trilogy, the intro case was easily the best of the game. The second case is also probably the best of the series of cases not involving a core character (such as Edgeworth or Maya). Though it is hard to say, I quite enjoyed the bonus case in Volume 1 as well.

Speaking of the bonus case at the end of #1, a lot of people kind of brushed that one off because it was not a part of the main Phoenix Wright story. Though, it is a case that should be played before the next The next Ace Attorney series as it is more than just an introduction to some of the new play mechanics that will be appearing in the DS exclusive series.

On the difficulty level, I am finding this one to be easier than the last, overall. The last game stumped me at some locations; this one seemed to be a little more obvious, I found that I knew a lot of how I was going to use the evidence in court a long time before actually using it.

Prosecuter Godot is better than Franziska from the last game

[Lox]

I'm enjoying the game a lot. I like Godot. The coffee drinking is hilarious. haha

I am close to the end of case 3.

I have not had as much trouble with the cases so far either, but I don't know if it's easier or just that I've gotten better to figuring out what is going to happen. The truth behind the cases still surprises me though.

And I have no idea what zvarri means!

http://objection.mrdictionary.net/go.php?n=2316888

[SineSwiper]

I still need to get the other two for the DS. Are they hard to find now?

[Chris]

I still need to get the other two for the DS. Are they hard to find now?

shouldn't be. I regularly see the first around town nowdays.

[bovine]

I ordered 3 off of the capcom store as a preorder at the end of august and they still haven't sent it to me. I emailed in a cancellation on thursday, but have not heard back from them yet. YARG!

[Julius Seeker]

The original was impossible to find for under $100 for the longest time, but since the release of the second game they have kept up with retail demand.

I really hope to see more games of this type on DS. I am wondering why more companies have not decided to take a stab at this genre? I would really like to see a game with a medieval plotline, a vegas plotline (doesn't matter if it is along the lines of Casino or Ocean's 11), or some sort of an adventure. Capcom is trying on Console with a game developed here in North America called Harvey Birdman, being released for the Wii. Though while Harvey Birdman looks like it could be entertaining, particularly with the funny voice acting, it doesn't look like it flows nearly as smoothly as Phoenix Wright by the videos. The ui also isn't as attractive as Phoenix Wright's. Though, at least it's a start, and it might be one worth picking up if it comes out for under 30 dollars a pop.

[SineSwiper]

A Harvey Birdman legal game? Awesome!

Seeker, I guess you haven't seen the show on Adult Swim.

[Julius Seeker]

I don't even know what Adult Swim is, I have heard of it mentioned on this site before.


As for the word zvarri, I think I have figured out its meaning, though I think this may just be speculation by Maya because I am not sure if even she knows what it means.

[Lox]

Beat Case 3. That one was pretty good. Poor Detective Gumshoe.

I can't wait to find out who Godot is!

[SineSwiper]

You don't have Cartoon Network in Canadia?

[Julius Seeker]

You don't have Cartoon Network in Canadia?

No idea, I don't really pay attention to these things.


Anyway, case 3, I walked into a restaraunt and Big Gay Al walked out!

[Lox]

He gets worse as the case goes on. Trust me. hahaha

Though, isn't the music for the "Tres Bien" location somehow annoyingly catchy?

[Eric]

You don't have Cartoon Network in Canadia?

No idea, I don't really pay attention to these things.


Anyway, case 3, I walked into a restaraunt and Big Gay Al walked out!

Mia/Maya Fey fan service inc.

[Lox]

Case 5 adds an awesome little twist, I must say. Can't wait to finish this baby up!

[Julius Seeker]

I wonder why there has been a complete lack of flat jokes throughout the series in regards to Maya, particularly when it is so obvious with Mia =)


I have found that the Phoenix Wright trilogy has given me a stronger attachment to the characters than any other game I can think of. I mean, in games where characters like Aeris dies (sorry if I spoiled it) it didn't really matter, but if Maya died I'd heartbroken! =(

[Lox]

Yeah, I love the characters in these games. Every time Pearls shows up, I get all excited because she's so cute. haha

In the 5th case, I got nervous because I thought something bad was going to happen to Maya or Pearls!

[Julius Seeker]

It really angers me that reviewers dock points from the final score of this game based on its graphics. As though having advanced 3D graphics or something would somehow improve the quality of the game. How many people found Final Fantasy the Spirits within incredibly interesting, much more so than say Family Guy or South Park because the later two were completely destroyed in terms of graphics and animation? =P

They also attack the fact that there isn't any action in the title, as though action is somehow supposed to be there =P

Yet in these same interviews they call the title a must have based on how well it all comes together, the amount of fun, its story, the fact that the art involved is excellent, the characters are some of the best in the history of videogames, etc... Though these don't seem to factor into how they are scoring the game.

As a result of this, the game's popularity has to spread very much on word of mouth, as when people read the reviews, they will pass over the game even if it does sound like a very interesting concept. I almost passed over the original Phoenix Wright myself because of the initial review score I read on IGNDS, though I remember reading a positive review somewhere which did sell me on the game; of course, based on the concept I was more or less just looking for a excuse to buy the game... The game blew me away when I played it as I found it to be even better than what the best reviews had reflected.

So yes, the Phoenix Wright trilogy is the definition of "underated". I do feel that any of the three have as much value as a lot of games getting in the mid-9 range by the same reviewers. particularly the last of the series which has received lower review scores than the previous two, despite (in my opinion so far) being the best of the three. IGN for example, Elite Beat Agents is an interesting game, and a very good game at that, but to players who have played Phoenix Wright and EBA, which game did they come away with the better experience? Much of the reason why I liked EBA was because it was a fresh concept, though if an EBA 2 and 3 came out, I would probably have to think about whether I want to get those games or not (If they brought out an 80's themed one, I would buy that right up, but generally the concept won't be fresh for #2 or 3). Phoenix Wright on the other hand, if 10 more volumes were available today, I would buy each of the 10 volumes today, and would consider it one of the best purchases I have ever made.

I remember some of the comments by people saying "Well, I would buy the game if it had like 100+ cases in it or a random case generator in it. Why didn't they put a random case generator into the game?" Which is just plain ridiculous, the quality of the game would be much lower if they resorted to this sort of thing. In addition, asking for 100+ cases is the same as saying "Well, I would buy Lord of the Rings if it had 100+ different volumes instead of just 6."


Either way, I guess it all breaks down to that the general review scores are an injustice to gamers. These are 9.0-9.5 games, not 7.5 games. the play experience of any of these games is WAY out of the league of any of the other games for DS that are scoring in the range of 7.5. The second game I consider overall the weakest of the series because of Big Top Turnabout which I found to be not on the level of quality of any of the other cases; though due to how awesome the final case was I would score the second game a 9.0, the first and third games higher than that.

I should note that I am focussing on IGN/Gamespot reviews for the most part, both gave part 3 in the region of 7.5 while scoring games like EBA considerably higher.


You could agree with my post or just say **** reviewers =P

[Lox]

Have you gotten to case 5 yet, Seeker??? It is the pinnacle of all cases in all 3 games, imo. It brings everything that has happened in these games to a head.

It's awesome.

[Julius Seeker]

Have you gotten to case 5 yet, Seeker??? It is the pinnacle of all cases in all 3 games, imo. It brings everything that has happened in these games to a head.

It's awesome.

Nope, still on case 3, I am on the second day. I usually play Phoenix Wright on my spare time at work or when I'm in bed, but am playing Mario Galaxy otherwise; and I have a large line-up to play on console right now, so it's slow going for Phoenix Wright; but I don't mind at all since I enjoy it all the same =)

[Julius Seeker]

1337aZnPrInceSz =P

[Lox]

Just beat the game.

What an awesome final case. I'm going to miss Phoenix, Maya, Pearls, Mia, Edgey, and the rest.

I hope Apollo Justice comes out soon though.

[SineSwiper]

Just started playing the first game. Highly addictive. Shellie's been bitching about it the whole way. Just finished the third case, the one about the samurai movie star. The dialogue is great, but sometimes I find myself just poking around to get past the case.

[Julius Seeker]

I just got into the fifth case of the third game, I am to the first trial section and without spoiling anything: this case I already foresee being the best of the series, Phoenix Wright has a tendency to have me thinking about the game more than I actually play it, and I can tell you that this one has me sucked in so much that I have to finish it!!! Already the case has solidified the Phoenix Wright trilogy (viewing it as a single game, because it really is) as my favourite game of all time.

Just a note on the first game though, the fifth case you can play at any time, even after the end of the third volume (in fact I plan to replay it as soon as I am done this), as it doesn't fall into the main storyline. It is a preview to the gameplay additions that are going to be made for Apollo Justice; which will be the fourth volume of the "Ace Attorney" series. Apollo Justice will share some characters with the first game, but will be the beginning of a new story; so it is essentially like the beginning of the sequel if they plan to make it a trilogy like Phoenix Wright.


I remember Capcom talking years ago about an episodic RPG series, I wonder if this series became the final product of that?

[SineSwiper]

Yeah, I'm playing the fifth case right now. Again, it's really great, but I wish that I didn't have to poke around for shit a lot. I'm not saying to give me the answers straight up, but often I'm just looking lost at what the hell they are talking about, and I get down to my last life before I just look it up on GameFAQs. The days before the trials are like that sometimes, too.

I have my share of nitpicks, but overall, the game is great, so far. Having a hard time putting it down.

[Lox]

I just got into the fifth case of the third game, I am to the first trial section and without spoiling anything: this case I already foresee being the best of the series

Told you! Yeah, that case is awesome. And you've barely scratched the surface of how awesome it is.

Yeah, I'm playing the fifth case right now. Again, it's really great, but I wish that I didn't have to poke around for shit a lot. I'm not saying to give me the answers straight up, but often I'm just looking lost at what the hell they are talking about, and I get down to my last life before I just look it up on GameFAQs. The days before the trials are like that sometimes, too.

I don't know if it was just me, but I definitely got better at noticing the small details that would point in the right direction the more I played the series. For instance, in the 1st game I had a lot of trouble, but with the 2nd, I was able to move through the story a lot easier without poking. And by the 3rd I only got stuck a few times total.

[Julius Seeker]

I got stuck once in case 4, but figured it out after maybe 20 minutes. I think there may have also been a point in case 3 with one of the psyche-locks. I usually don't think about being stuck when I get stuck (if you get what I mean), I just try to solve the puzzle and get through.

One thing I learned throughout the series is how to look for parts of testimony that can be contradicted, and also that the one to pay most attention to is usually the last page of the testimony or a statement that arises when asked to press harder when pressing each bit of the testimony. Also to pay close attention to detail when looking at evidence. The game does require a lot more memory work than most.

I can say that sailing through volume 3 has been very smooth. I actually think that it is true that part 3 may not be easier, it's just that the player really has a lot more practice in actually solving the puzzles. Hard to say though, it seems like there's a lot more obvious stuff.

[Julius Seeker]

I just finished the first day of court, without spoiling anything: Absolutely fantastic segments for Investigation part 1-2 and Court Day 1, something I have really wanted to happen in this series since the first volume. I am at the save point now just before investigation Day 2. Episode 3-5 is really quite excellent.

[Fea]

Yeah, I'm playing the fifth case right now. Again, it's really great, but I wish that I didn't have to poke around for shit a lot. I'm not saying to give me the answers straight up, but often I'm just looking lost at what the hell they are talking about, and I get down to my last life before I just look it up on GameFAQs. The days before the trials are like that sometimes, too.

I have my share of nitpicks, but overall, the game is great, so far. Having a hard time putting it down.

I've just started the fifth case too. As far as the difficulty goes, I've been finding this series the hardest but that might be because I don't have long sessions of play. At the moment playing for 30mins or so before I go to bed makes the game much more difficult than if I were playing in one long session.

[SineSwiper]

Yeah, most of my difficulty not being able to predict that a bad situation will end up progressing the story. The game is really linear in that aspect. Or I realized that you can't except point out a contradiction on any phrase, like I originally thought. Or sometimes I know a piece of evidence to point out, but I realize that I can't exactly bring it up now. (Almost like a order of operations thing.)

[Julius Seeker]

Just a note from Capcom, I think this indicates that the third game sold far better than they expected, Capcom better stop underestimating the growing popularity of the series =)


To our loyal Capcom Store customers:

Capcom would like to sincerely apologize for the confusion and troubles caused by the recent shortage of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials & Tribulations in our online store. Please accept our deepest apology; We were caught off-guard by the strong fan reaction to our offer and stumbled. We are taking this very seriously and promise that we will not have issues like this going forward.

Our pre-order total for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials & Tribulations was more than double our pre-sale estimates. We found similar enthusiasm for the game throughout our retail partners which immediately created a shortage of the product. As a result, many of our loyal online customers did not receive the game until a month after it was released. We also offered a Phoenix Wright plush toy to all those who pre-ordered the game. Some of you did not receive the plush toy when the game finally did arrive.

We want to do what we can to remedy this situation. We have more Phoenix Wright plush toys in our warehouse now and all customers who placed their order before 10/23, but did not receive the Phoenix Wright plush, will be receiving one in a few days. Also, we are extending our Thank You coupon to the end of December in the hopes that it will, in a small way, thank you all for your patience, loyalty and understanding.

Please use coupon code PWthanksyou in the Capcom store at checkout for 10% off of you entire purchase through 12/31/2007. We apologize again for the inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Darin Johnston
Customer Support & eCommerce Manager
Capcom Entertainment, Inc.

[SineSwiper]

While I think the story writing is fantastic, I think they need to think about updating the games on each sequel. I haven't played the 2nd/3rd games yet, but I'm under the impression that there was no change in the gameplay on those, whereas this new game has a small tweak, and that's it. It almost like they are falling in the Guitar Hero trap of just updating the material without working on the game engine itself.

[Fea]

Gah! The touch screen on my (very old) DS is broken! Not so much of a problem at the moment because I can just use buttons etc but am I going to run into problems later on in case 5?

[Julius Seeker]

While I think the story writing is fantastic, I think they need to think about updating the games on each sequel. I haven't played the 2nd/3rd games yet, but I'm under the impression that there was no change in the gameplay on those, whereas this new game has a small tweak, and that's it. It almost like they are falling in the Guitar Hero trap of just updating the material without working on the game engine itself.

for Gameplay updates, they really maxed out what a graphical novel can do on the GBA in the first game. The fourth game was developed for DS, so there are significant updates. As far as changes to the UI or art is concerned, I would highly disagree with that since it would feel like an unnatural transition; as the Phoenix Wright games are 13 chapters split into 3 different volumes.

Trust me, if you really enjoy the story for the first game, you will really enjoy the second, and you'll have tears in your eyes by the third =)

Gah! The touch screen on my (very old) DS is broken! Not so much of a problem at the moment because I can just use buttons etc but am I going to run into problems later on in case 5?

Yeah, you will. Though don't fret too much, case 5 is not in the main story, you can essentially play it any time you want in the series; it's a bonus case. It's the only DS-made case in the first three games, so it's the only one you really have to worry about.

[Andrew, Killer Bee]

Yeah, you will. Though don't fret too much, case 5 is not in the main story, you can essentially play it any time you want in the series; it's a bonus case. It's the only DS-made case in the first three games, so it's the only one you really have to worry about.

Are we talking case 5 in the third game here? 'cause the fifth case in the first game was also made for the DS.

[Julius Seeker]

Yeah, you will. Though don't fret too much, case 5 is not in the main story, you can essentially play it any time you want in the series; it's a bonus case. It's the only DS-made case in the first three games, so it's the only one you really have to worry about.

Are we talking case 5 in the third game here? 'cause the fifth case in the first game was also made for the DS.

The first game of the Phoenix Wright titles is the only one with a DS only bonus case.

[Andrew, Killer Bee]

Yeah that's what I was thinking, but it's the fifth case in the third game that Fea's playing now. So she'll be right to hammer through it even with the busted touchscreen?

[Lox]

Yeah that's what I was thinking, but it's the fifth case in the third game that Fea's playing now. So she'll be right to hammer through it even with the busted touchscreen?

Yeah, that case plays exactly like the other cases that are part of the regular story.

[Julius Seeker]

Ah, I apologize for that =)

[SineSwiper]

I disagree with the fifth case having nothing to do with the others. There might be some clues with some the characters in there.

[Julius Seeker]

I disagree with the fifth case having nothing to do with the others. There might be some clues with some the characters in there.

Yeah, but you can play it at almost any point in time. It was added in after the first 13 cases were already completed and released the first time around.