Phoenix Wright for the iPhone, iPod Review: The Jury is in, and Phoenix Wright is a Winner

App Name:	Phoenix Wright
Platforms:	iPhone, iPod Touch
Publisher(s):	CAPCOM
Version Reviewed:	1.0
Genre(s):	RPG
Release Date:	May 24, 2010
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I’ve never seen the inside of a courtroom. So far, jury duty hasn’t called on me, and I’ve been lucky enough not to land myself in a trial for any other reason.  Even so,  I quickly recognized that the depiction of what it’s like to be a defense lawyer in Phoenix Wright is anything but accurate. And while some reviewers in the App Store slap this game with a 1-star rating thanks to its big imagination, I’m more apt to say that it’s deep story and engaging plotlines make it come out on top.

It starts when we meet a young man whose name is, you guessed it, Phoenix Wright. He’s a fresh-faced lawyer who is just about to cut his teeth on his first case. Luckily, Mia Fey, his mentor, is by his side to guide him through the process. This is how we learn the ropes. And, as becomes quickly apparent, each relationship Phoenix Wright has with his mentors, clients, and enemies will come into play over the course of the game . . . More on this later, but Phoenix Wright could almost be better-categorized as reading material rather than a true “game” or “simulation.” Some will see this as a fatal flaw, while others might give the story a chance and be surprised to find that it strings them along to continue. Either way, thanks to its story-driven nature, not much more can be said about the story at this point. Just know that it’s all about the colorful characters and their interactions with each other, as Phoenix Wright comes into his own and makes a name for himself as a defense lawyer.

The game is divided into five cases. But as soon as the second case gets underway, you’ll realize that pretty much every thing is interconnected: The people, places, and weapons that pop up often relate to prior events and happenings. In this way, Phoenix Wright is almost like a graphic novel with some interactive features tossed in.

Each case follows roughly the same format, beginning with the Investigation Phase and moving on to the Court Phase. It’s your responsibility to gather info and survey crime scenes, then take what you learn to the court, where you’ll listen to testimonies, examine witnesses, and ultimately use your evidence to be victorious (hopefully). Going through this process is mostly a point and click process. You choose where Phoenix goes next, who he talks to and the questions he asks. While it may feel like you’re dictating what actually happens at first, after awhile it becomes apparent that you can’t really do things wrong, but you can make it take longer.

There has never been a better example of a great game that is not right for everyone . . . Phoenix Wright consists of maybe 80 percent dialogue, with the player making decisions in between that will alter the course of events. As iPhone users, we’re more accustomed to arcade-style games that require tilting, tapping, and swiping to win. But with Phoenix Wright it’s less about timing and action than it is about a satisfying reading experience and following the course of a few main characters.

My final word of advice: Don’t count on Phoenix Wright to get you prepped for law school. This game is designed to be fun, comical, and rather straightforward, allowing the player to enjoy the story and also exercise the brain a bit. It works on all these levels. If you’re looking to get away from quick, 30-second arcade games with tons of replay value, try Phoenix Wright. It’s great for tuning out on long car rides or playing for longer periods of time.  Not only that, but it provides a refreshing new direction for games in the App Store, showing that it’s not all about speed of reflexes and flashy graphics. There’s still room for compelling stories told in innovative ways.

Phoenix Wright is $4.99 at the time of this review.

About the Author

Devin Wieland

 

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