Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations

 DS
  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Release Date: Oct 23, 2007
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations Image
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 191 Ratings

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  • Summary: Players star as a defense attorney, who must prove a seemingly guilty client's innocence no matter how dire the circumstances may seem. Phoenix faces the toughest prosecutor yet as the mysterious hard-boiled "Godot" tries to take him down at any cost. Players must collect evidence, surveyPlayers star as a defense attorney, who must prove a seemingly guilty client's innocence no matter how dire the circumstances may seem. Phoenix faces the toughest prosecutor yet as the mysterious hard-boiled "Godot" tries to take him down at any cost. Players must collect evidence, survey crime scenes, weed through inconsistent testimonies, and overcome corrupt agendas to ensure that justice prevails. With the return of the popular "psyche-lock" interrogation tool from the previous title, "Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice for All," players have to overcome even more intense courtroom standoffs in order to close the case. Maya Fey is a bright young girl that aids Phoenix in his trials; she harnesses her psychic powers which are useful in a pinch. Godot - the mysterious, hard-boiled prosecutor makes his appearance. Play as two lawyers - relive Mia's rookie days from the past and Phoenix's current cases in the present. Two distinct gameplay segments: Investigation phase - survey crime scenes, interview witnesses and gather evidence that will be used in court; Court phase - present findings from the investigation to support your case, listen to testimonies and examine witnesses. "Psyche-Lock" system - break down tough witnesses with a series of correct questions or catch them on inconsistencies. Touch screen interface progresses players through the game. Microphone can be used to yell "Objection!" and "Hold it!" as you cross examine witnesses. [Capcom]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    92
    The story is deep and well thought out, the script at times dark, at times humorous, but always entertaining.
  2. Zentendo
    90
    The story is phenomenal, the music is some of the best, and it leaves Phoenix Wright and friends off on a spectacular note.
  3. ZTGD
    85
    Why complain if “more of the same” is serving up consistent goodness?
  4. Meristation
    80
    This is the last entry of the original Phoenix Wright trilogy. It includes all-new runabouts that are set in the past and present of the ace attorney. The story is very well-driven, and it links every character in the game with each other, leading to a great conclusion. Sure, it's not the best DS game at a technical level, but it offers everything that we want in a Phoenix Wright game: it's fun, big, interesting and charming.
  5. Thunderbolt
    80
    The premise may seem downright ridiculous and this is reinforced by the witty, pun-filled dialogue bursting with enough memorable and laugh-out-loud quotes to inflame one's haemorrhoids. The actual cases themselves can, however, be quite sombre and very touching at times – sure, you will laugh, but you may also shed a tear.
  6. games(TM)
    80
    Capcom’s writer-translators have crafted a cast of believable characters to root for, two utterly detestable villains, and a script so dramatic and humorous that you’ll wish every game had this much care poured into it. [Dec 2007, p.116]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Edge Magazine
    60
    Often you’ll present a piece of evidence on a hunch and find him explaining it far beyond your own understanding. The result is a distance from the story, and a reminder of the paucity of interactivity on offer. [Nov 2007, p.99]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 45 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. Pekka
    Sep 7, 2007
    10
    The best of the series. All 5 cases were interesting (unlike the cases in last two games), and plenty of more surprises in storyline. The best of the series. All 5 cases were interesting (unlike the cases in last two games), and plenty of more surprises in storyline. Excellent experience, I say!… Expand
  2. Cynthia
    May 10, 2009
    10
    All three games were wonderful, but Trails and Tribulations is simply the best game in the series. The music was good, the cases were All three games were wonderful, but Trails and Tribulations is simply the best game in the series. The music was good, the cases were interesting, and the characters were like always entertaiming. I really enjoyed it! I almost cried at the end because it was the last game of Phoenix Wright. I really did. Almost. But...! You really have to play 1 & 2 first, or you don't get the whole story! It's a perfect end of the series, thanks, Capcom! Court is adjourned!… Expand
  4. BROstoise
    Jun 3, 2014
    10
    The best Ace Attorney game to date. None of the trials had me bored, besides Turnabout beginnings, which was a backstory, so it gets a pass.The best Ace Attorney game to date. None of the trials had me bored, besides Turnabout beginnings, which was a backstory, so it gets a pass. Other than that i fully enjoyed all other trials. Bridge to the Turnabout and Recipe for Turnabout were masterpieces. Aside from that you can play as people other than Phoenix, which is enjoyable. The main antagonist, Godot, is the first in the series who wasn't irritating, yet was very interesting. 10/10, an essential for any DS owner. Buy it now, or I'll see you in court, criminal scum!… Expand
  5. Drackez3
    Apr 30, 2019
    10
    You MUST play this game just for the last case (don't misunderstand me, all the cases have interesting twists and stories). It's the perfectYou MUST play this game just for the last case (don't misunderstand me, all the cases have interesting twists and stories). It's the perfect end for this fantastic trilogy, the music is awesome, but i still prefer the ost of the first ace attorney. One last thing, i have to confess that after i finished this game i cried, yep.… Expand
  6. coatman1
    Feb 17, 2014
    10
    Music especially was well done, All the cases had interesting twists. Case #5 makes this game. If you like Phoenix's other two games you willMusic especially was well done, All the cases had interesting twists. Case #5 makes this game. If you like Phoenix's other two games you will love this one for sure, as the story-lines tie up nicely in one case. I don't cry often but this game hit great areas with strong emotions all though-out this game. Must Buy.… Expand
  7. Cosmozerk
    Jul 8, 2016
    9
    Finally, i've completed the original Phoenix Wright trilogy. It was a fun ride and now i'm going to jump to Apollo once i finish this, but forFinally, i've completed the original Phoenix Wright trilogy. It was a fun ride and now i'm going to jump to Apollo once i finish this, but for now i can safely say, without a doubt in my mind, that Trials and Tribulations, for what i've played so far, is the BEST Ace Attorney game that there is.

    STORY: Trials and Tribulations does something pretty creative and it actually has both an overarching plot and mini-stories through the cases. BUT! ,unlike that crossover with Layton, the game understand that having both of them at the same time is not a good idea at all, so instead of that, the overarching plot gets mentioned here and there thought out the game (specially in case 1 & 4), but it doesn't distract from the mini-stories of each case, now THAT'S how you do it. The game presents 5 different cases which go from great to great great to genius to LEGENDARY!. Honestly while i prefer case 4 from Justice for All over many of these cases, i would be lying if i said that this game is now incredibly consistent with it's case quality and to be honest even though i feel Justice for All is underrated, i do feel like the consistency there was good, but not the level of these game.

    Now in terms of the characters introduced i have to say that Godot is awesome, he competes with Edgeworth in terms of which one is my favorite. His motives, backstory, attitude and dialog is incredible and fleshed out, not to mention that his character design looks super cool and the fact that he's a coffee addict...and that he throws it at Phoenix for a number of occasions is just the icing on the cake. Aside from him we also get returning Maya Fey and Pearl, which are just as good as before, the characters of every case are once again wacky and great to interact with...for the most part. Oh and i almost forgot to mention that this game introduced one of the most evil villains i've seen in awhile, i won't say who it is, but you will immediately know as soon as you complete case 1.

    PRESENTATION: Trials and Tribulations is apparently 3.3 times bigger than the original Ace Attorney, but the graphics are still the same. Aside from the new sprites, animations, backgrounds and voice clips it's pretty much the same. There is one new sprite for Phoenix that i won't spoil, but those who have finished the game know what i'm talking about. We actually get to play as Mia Fey in this game and her sprite work is very well made. Overall there's really nothing new here in terms of the graphics, but the music is another story. Once again we have some kick-*** tunes that fit the moments very well. Caught, Telling the Truth 2004 and Pleeeeease Listen! are among my favorites, but then we have Godot's theme: The Fragrance of Black Coffee...which is just pure magic and of course the amazing, downright EPIC! return of... Cornered!, which in this game actually got a pretty good remix and it plays just at the right moment of the game to make the scene so...LEGENDARY!

    GAMEPLAY: Trials and Tribulation in this department is no different from Justice for All, so i won't spend any time on going into the game mechanics all over again. All you have to know is that the formula is back and it still good. Go see my Justice for All review if you want more detail.

    Well then this one was a short one, but you can only comment so much about something that's just like previus thing with minimum differences for so long without getting redundant. But anyway Trials and Tribulations is a game that definitely focuses on the story, the part that is the most important one in a visual novel and it does an amazing job. Now i can definitely call this my favorite in the trilogy and the best Ace Attorney game i played so far. Please give it chance if you have the opportunity, it will be worth it.

    I'll give it a 9/10.    … Expand
  8. Komino
    Feb 25, 2009
    7
    As this is the 3rd game in the series most players will have a strong connection to the characters and the genre. The game is much of the As this is the 3rd game in the series most players will have a strong connection to the characters and the genre. The game is much of the same from the previous games but without hitting the highs of the first. A must for a fan but check out the first game for anyone who's yet to experience Phoenix Wright.… Expand

See all 40 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best DS Game of 2007
5
#5 Most Discussed DS Game of 2007
59
#59 Most Shared DS Game of 2007