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Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

EMAIL PRINT ds

7.8 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 48 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 15 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Capcom Entertainment

Developer: Capcom Entertainment

Genre(s): Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: February 19, 2008

Summary

This is the fourth game in the series and the first developed specifically for Nintendo DS and sees a change of direction for the story line with the introduction of new defense attorney Apollo Justice and a host of new characters. Players star as rookie defense attorney Apollo Justice as he visits crime scenes, questions key witnesses and collects vital evidence before stepping into the courtroom to prove his clients' innocence. Facing Apollo across the courtroom is the highly talented and flamboyant prosecutor Klavier Gavin who, in addition to being a legal genius, is also lead singer with Gavinners, a highly successful rock band with a string of hits to their name. He may be young and inexperienced but Apollo's confident manner and passion, coupled with his unique ability to uncover witnesses' lies by studying their body language, will prove invaluable assets in the courtroom as he pleads the case for the defense. Thankfully, Apollo is not alone and is aided both in and out of the courtroom by his assistant Trucy, a mysterious female magician. Apollo also receives invaluable advice from his mentor the ultra-cool Kristoph Gavin, elder brother of Klavier, whose perfect logic and natural instincts have won him numerous cases and the respect of his colleagues. [Capcom]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Nintendojo

Despite fears that a new stable of characters would prove less interesting than the established cast, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney manages to hold up to its predecessors in nearly every way.

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Zentendo

With hilariously well-written dialog, brilliant court cases, DS-specific features, pulse-pounding drama, catchy and moody music, and four cases, you will not want to miss this game.

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Gamervision

To put it simply, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney takes everything that works about the Phoenix Wright series and then adds more. Longtime fans of the lawyer series will not be disappointed with the newest installment, but there’s so much fresh content that newcomers can jump right in and not feel overwhelmed by the game’s history.

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Cheat Code Central

A long game coupled with the fact that it's incredibly immersive and addicting; excellent storylines really keep you playing.

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RPG Fan

All in all, if you've followed the series, there's no point in stopping now. Capcom has the formula down by this point, and they will only improve upon it as time passes.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

As much as I adore the gameplay, the story is by far the best reason to take this case. [Apr 2008, p.81]

Pelit (Finland)

Quotation forthcoming. [June 2008]

Gameplanet

Apollo Justice carries on the addictive game play of its predecessors. It is suited well to those who enjoy watching the many different crime and courtroom shows that are so popular on television these days, and also to those who enjoy a good story-based game that requires concentration and awareness.

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IGN AU

It's more of the same, then, but it's great.

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Gaming Target

Fans of Phoenix Wright can rest assured that Apollo Justice more the lives up to the role as an Ace Attorney.

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1UP

The localization team at Capcom should be commended for writing dialogue that is genuinely funny. Basically, if you're a fan of the earlier Phoenix Wright games, you will laugh...a lot. Couple the comedy with Justice's engrossing story and you have a case that would be criminal not to take.

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n-Revolution Magazine UK

Surprisingly ace. [Issue#21, p.80]

IGN

Apollo Justice surprised us. This may just be yet another of Capcom’s infamous rehashes, but it’s so much more enjoyable than most that it’s extremely hard to ignore.

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Gamer 2.0

Despite what may be setbacks with the lack of true blue changes to the graphics and sound, Apollo Justice looks to be everything the Phoenix Wright trilogy was and more.

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GameShark

A worthy successor to the Phoenix Wright series, even if the first outing seems a little too eager to hold on to the characters from its predecessor.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

As great as it is, we can't believe we've waited two years for this. [June 2008, p.80]

GameTrailers

If it's engaging storytelling on a handheld scale you're after, Apollo Justice serves up another ace for Capcom’s line of courtroom sims.

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Level7.nu

Even though it still relies on a lot of the tried and true mechanics of the Phoenix Right-titles, Apollo Justice manages to add enough new DS-related features to keep this package feeling fresh while adding a great and engaging storyline to the mix. This is the best offering so far for newcomers, and fans of the Phoenix Wright titles are going to appreciate the improvements to the formula.

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Cubed3

However, the sharp writing skills shine through once more, with a script full of intrigue, humour and mystery.

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Gamer.nl

Although the game has been made especially for the DS, not enough DS specific gameplay elements have been put into the game.

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Eurogamer

It's filled to the brim with brilliant ideas, and then barely uses them.

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Modojo

Overall, though, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney has enough refreshing content and "legal good times" to keep you happily satisfied, with its well-integrated storyline, characters and touch-screen tools.

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NintendoWorldReport

Since Apollo's adventure builds upon the Phoenix Wright trilogy and the original remains the best, playing the Ace Attorney series in order remains my recommendation.

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GameDaily

The only severe flaw is that it ends too soon with only four cases and no option to download new ones. Still, it's a legal champion.

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GameSpy

The new DS-centric controls add a lot to the formula, though some other cool new features, such as forensic videos, are too sparsely used.

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Nintendo Power

With that said, the latest Ace Attorney game is an excellent continuation of the series, featuring more compelling mysteries to unravel and lots of memorable characters. [Mar 2008, p.86]

Games Radar (in-house)

Apollo Justice delivers the same winning formula we've come to expect, throws in some refreshing new twists, and leaves us satisfied yet still eager to see where the story will go.

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Game Informer

It’s funny, unique, and breaks up the text scrolling with more varied activities. Even so, Apollo still has room to grow, and I’m looking forward to seeing what case he takes next.

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Video Game Talk

Apollo Justice delivers an evolved version of the Phoenix Wright titles, but the overall experience has been shortened dramatically.

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Games Master UK

Not the leap in features we'd hoped for, but a fantastic debut for Justice nontheless. [May 2008, p.72]

NGamer UK

Not exactly the dazzling reinvention we hoped for, but Apollo Justice more than holds his own. [May 2008, p.55]

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GameTap

While it may seem like Capcom's diving back into the well of a successful franchise, Apollo Justice is the first Ace Attorney game built from the ground up for the DS, and it succeeds in delivering just enough legal shenanigans that are serious enough--and silly enough--to entice both fans and rookies alike.

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Gamestyle

Apollo Justice is a likeable guy (because he is just a carbon copy of Phoenix Wright, to be honest) and even four games into the series, this still remains fresh, thanks to the clever writing and plots.

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Worth Playing

A great entry point for novice attorneys, thanks to a new cast of vibrant characters.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

The latest chapter in the Ace Attorney series comes with fresh characters and an absorbing plot—as well as all the same old objections.

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GamePro

Phoenix Wright fans who loved the past games and want nothing more than another docket of crazy cases to tackle will no doubt love Apollo Justice. It's a solid distillation of the franchise formula and if you haven't yet had your fill, I wholly recommend the game, because you will no doubt enjoy it. But I personally couldn't get over how derivative the game felt.

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GameSpot

Fans of the previous Ace Attorney games will appreciate the new touch-screen mechanics and improved presentation, but these changes don't do much to spice up the series' often slow and tedious pacing.

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AceGamez

As much fun as Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is, it's just not the big leap forward that the series should have taken, as a number of little niggles conspire to lower the score slightly.

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PALGN

Another solid entry, but the series probably needed more then solid. Weaker characters are offset by new novelties, but it will still be worth a go for fans of the idea.

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NTSC-uk

Despite these small problems, however, this is still essential playing for long-time fans, and for new entrants: buy this game, play it, and then get the others.

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Adventure Gamers

Despite the mounting criticism, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is a decent enough game in its own right, and fans of the series can expect much of what they enjoyed in previous offerings.

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games(TM)

Had Capcom pout a little more effort into overhauling the gameplay and graphics, while also preserving the magic of the original cast, Apollo Justice would have been more than just another sequel. [May 2008, p.116]

My Gamer

Apollo Justice, while staying true to an original, winning formula, has some pitfalls that prevents me from recommending it to people not familiar with the series.

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Kombo

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is not a typical DS game. However, those gamers who also enjoying burning away the hours with a good book will find plenty to like in this courtroom drama.

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Edge Magazine

Yes, Justice’s new shriek adds a new trick to his repertoire, but besides this and a few new touchscreen forensic gizmos, this there is little change from the GBA ports. [Apr 2008, p.95]

Pocket Gamer UK

Melodrama isn't enough to carry Apollo Justice, a game that feels considerably more weighed down by dialogue and little actual gameplay to speak of than its predecessors.

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Game Revolution

Phoenix Wright: You still have a lot to learn, kid. If you’re going to make it in this world, you have to pave your own path.

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Play Magazine

Plead nolo contendere, Apollo. [Mar 2008, p.65]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 15 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Christopher P gave it an8:
Apollo is a surprisingly likable replacement for Phoenix's retirement. The gameplay's essentially more of the same (which isn't really a bad thing), but it's still consistently interesting. My primary gripe comes from the plot holes that seem to be worse than any other Ace Attorney game; Once it's all over, you'll likely be asking "But...What the hell was [that] about, then?" Still, a good addition to the franchise. I look forward to more of Apollo.

Disappointed gave it a5:
This game truly disappointed me. I can't explain completely why so as not to spoil the game for others. Let's just say that the last case did so many things wrong I decided to sell the game and never tough this franchise again. There was ridiculous relationships made up, stupid unnecessary explanations, a completely gimped phoenix in the flashback sequence, a very unstaisfactory ending where it felt like all you did was for naught, not to mention a time paradox. If you love the franchise and don't mind careless writing like this it's still a good game and you can add 2 or 3 points to my score, just beware.

Alex gave it a9:
This game is a solid sequel for the GS saga and makes a good game-experience. This games were like drugs for me. STORY:Cool story, with the fourth case which outstand most of the episodes in the entire saga. It's incredibly good (even if the final process is the easiest process ever, poor Kristoph.). However, the game fails in connection between the past games: What appened to Maya, Pearls, Gumshoe, Edgey and most of the old cast?!? Do we have to wait for the Edgeworth's Spin-off or an AA:2 to discover more? 9-/10 Graphics: Pretty good improvements in the pg's animations and in the various opening videos: it makes fun also to, ehm, reinvestigate with the OLD graphics with PW, lolz. Liked that "Mason System", even if it was a bit "strange". 9/10 Sound: nothing of great and nothing of bad. I liked the PW1 musics in the PW investigation part, I really liked the Cross-Objection tune. :o 8/10 Gameplay: ..Some say it's slow, some say it's boring.. Seriously, Who f*cking cares. One of the most addicting and thrilling adventures EVER. People should play these types of games more, really really addicting. 10/10 Average: 9/10

Ady gave it a10:
Great game, Great storyline what more is there to say? GET IT!

Wocky gave it a9:
I don't know what people are talking about! This game was really good! GRAPHICS: The graphics have had a little bit of improvement/ change through the previous series such as "real" 3D animations or miniclips. The graphics are an outstanding work of art. Overall: 10/10 AUDIO: Sweet heaven! The audio could really make your ears bleed, (especially Gavin's theme). The theme songs become repetitive and make your ears bleed near the end of the game. Overall: 7/10 STORY: The story has gone from ridiculous to....ludicrous! Whoever thought that a doctor would be dragging a noodle stand down a park while a "gangster" comes up and pumps him full of lead? However, these cases can be solved, you don't need to compulsively save (as P W states it). Just use your brain! Overall: 9/10 GAMEPLAY: I see Capcom has brought back the old functions that were lost in PW1. Such as the fingerprint system and the luminol system. They also added more functions such as having the ability to reenact a crime scene and having the perceive system or the jurist system at the last chapter. However, the Psycho-Locks from PW2 and PW3 have been removed but who cares? You also can't present people profiles as evidence anymore. Overall: 10/10 The score I give for the game overall is 9/10

Gerkuman gave it an8:
Personally, I don't think P W (the commenter before me) really understands the main point of the AA series, which is that it's mostly story based, so it doesn't NEED to change much. That, and I personally don't see how the penalty system gives the game a two, but meh. On with the mini-review! Firstly, the new system in the game actually adds a bit to the story. It's sort of like the Magatama, but mixed with spot the difference. Personally, I think it's quite good, although a tiny bit infuriating; but in the end, some challenge is good. On the story front, it's pretty good as well, although it does have some plotholes, and some people won't like how a character or two has changed. As for what P W said about the penalty system, the whole point of AA is to catch peoples contradictions. And, for the most part they're not too hard to spot as long as you think about it. Of course, you could start objecting to random statements, but that won't help you much and the penalty system is to stop that. So, my opinons of the game. It's a worthy sucessor to the series, and is one of the best out of them. But of course, it all depends on your P.O.V.

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Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

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