Couple Gaming

For those of us that are addicted to Phoenix Wright, the third installment (Trials and Tribulations) is a like coming home on a snowy day to a warm fire, spiked egg nog, surrounded by old friends as you remember them. Aaaahhhhh. Delicious.

If you’ll recall correctly, the last game ended on a sour note .. almost a wistful embrace as a lost soul boards a plane. Like any good book, we’re left wanting more, and missing friends.

And, as with any good book, you begin this one getting in touch with friends in an unexpected way. You play as Mia, back when she was alive and first starting off as a Defense Lawyer under the tutelage of Marvin Grossberg. You find out she has been out of the courtroom for a year because of a bad case, and this is her second case to defend. She has asked for it specifically, in fact. We get to muddle through Mias learning and unknown anger, and we see the moment she met Phoenix Wright. The case is mostly predictable, easy to get through, good for people that have never played before.

In the next case, you fast forward to Phoenix Wright and you start seeing the regulars. Maya, Pearls, Gumshoe, Larry Butz, Adrian Andrews, a nod to Wendy Oldbag .. and even the famous “I AM” vase from the last game. Of course, you also have a new Prosecutor. (Seriously, Phoenix goes through prosecutors like most people go through girlfriends… with about as much attachment & heartache). This is Godot, a guy that believes Coffee is akin to a fine wine. This story becomes increasingly interesting, as we go from defending someone, to proving he did actually do it. It’s great fun, and I loved every moment of it.

The third case we see Maggey Byrde again! We find a few characters to enjoy, such as the Tiger and Viola Cadaverini, and a few that make our stomach turn, like Victor Kudo. I do love the Palindrome names though.. and interrogating the Tiger was by far the most fun. The case is rather easy to see through, though… so enjoy it for the characters.

The fourth case takes us to Mias very first case, but it feels like it was written by an amateur. I was highly disappointed, and some of the “contradictions” were really stretching. If I could have, I would have skipped this, and just read the dossier.

The fifth case so far, as I am not done with it yet, is the most exciting, and definitely makes up for the 4^th. I’m giggling like a mad woman every night. I really can’t tell you more than that without spoiling it.

Anyway.. 5 stars, or whatever. Definitely suggested, especially for those that have played 1 & 2. So many inside jokes, but you won’t know you’re missing anything if you start here.

Mmmm.. Now I must go. Maya needs me…