Phoenix Wright, Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations

Update: I deleted the page with the reviews sorted by ratings because it wasn't showing up. For some reason, the URL associated with the button was trying to link to the wrong page, which didn't exist. I was thinking of getting rid of it anyway, so rather than fighting with it, that's what I did. Onward to the review!

Genre: Puzzle
Developer: Capcom
Platform: Nintendo DS
Release: 2007
Rating: T

- Graphics -

As little as the game itself is actually animated, and relies on still images and basic animations to give people more character than their speed, the characters we meet along the way are so intricate and fascinating. An incredible amount of detail is in each and ever sprite and scene, and deserves every amount of attention you can give it.

Graphics: 9/10


- Story -

I haven't played the second game in the series, but this title (the third) certainly builds on the first and second games a ton even without having played one of them. By the end of the game, you'll simply be sad it's over, as the scenarios behind each case are so engaging and captivating.

Story: 10/10


- Gameplay -

Lol, gameplay, what a jo-- OBJECTION!
Who am I kidding? Fighting crime as an underrated defense attorney, using every bit of critical thinking you possess, and even getting to scream "Objection!" at your DS through the mic (optional, but fun. Sadly I was mostly playing late at night and didn't want to wake my family). Yet another great game, Capcom! (I wish they still could be thought of as highly...)

Gameplay: 10/10


- Music -

As much as I love the silly characters and gameplay, the music is what holds everything together. A few of the themes, in particular the theme that plays when you're about to reach the truth, just make the whole game worth playing~

Music: 10/10


Total Score: 9.5/10

Also available for Virtual Console

Animal Crossing: Wild World

Yet another long delay! Sorry about that, not only did I forget, but I've had trouble how I wanted to approach this game for the review. Also, I'm out of completed games to review! From now on, I'll be reviewing them as I complete them, or I may decide to review them early if I decide that completion is too much work to wait (for instance, I may do this with something like F-Zero GX) And now, onto the review!

Genre: Simulation
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo DS
Release: 2005
Rating: E

- Graphics -

One of the first DS titles to be 3D graphics, as far as I can remember, and they did a great job with it. Lighting is very well-done, very effective use of memory, and the models are perfect for the game.

Graphics: 10/10


- Story -

N/A

Story: --/10


- Gameplay -

I have probably put more time into this game than all of my Ocarina of Time runs combined. It's so incredibly addicting, both due to the amount of collectible items, and the fact that not playing for a few days can actually have consequences, such as neighbors moving away, or dying flowers. Despite the addiction factor, the game becomes pointless after an hour or so each day, so it doesn't cause players to spend too long playing each day. A great game for a quick wind-down at the end of the day!

Gameplay: 9/10


- Music -

I've never been a huge fan of Totaka's work, but the consistency in themes throughout the hours of the day, or throughout the rooms of the museum, etc. is a very nice touch, and most of these themes are subtle enough that they don't get annoying (there are a few exceptions)

Music: 7/10


Total Score: 8.5/10

Not available for other systems.

Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

Long overdue update is long overdue. Would you believe I apparently started writing this back in April? OOPS.

Genre: Adventure
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: Gamecube
Release: 2004
Rating: E

- Graphics -

Great blend of SNES-style 2D graphics and particle effects of the Gamecube, here. The entire game is charming, detailed, and varied in scenery.

Graphics: 8/10


- Story -

Typical Zelda plotline: Get a bunch of crystals or something (in this case, rescue six girls), and then rescue Zelda. However, Vaati is now portrayed as a servant to Ganon, giving more depth to the overall Zelda plot.

Story: 6/10


- Gameplay -

NOTE: THIS IS BASED ON 1-PLAYER GAMEPLAY. I HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY MULTIPLAYER.

I'm not gonna lie. When I first found out I'd be controlling four Links at once, I was a bit intimidated. However, it's actually extremely seamless with the "formations" feature, along with the ability to switch between them individually. The decision to force players to use multiple GBA's and link cables hurt the game, in my opinion, because I have seen gameplay of multiplayer online and it looks really fun. The game works well either way, from what I can tell.

Gameplay: 10/10


- Music -

Many of the tracks in this game are remakes of tracks from A Link to the Past, though there are many original tracks as well. The tracks all lend themselves well to the tradition of the Zelda series using music to enhance the experience in each area.

Music: 7/10


Total Score: 8/10

Not Available for other systems

Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Genre: Adventure
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Release: 2011
Rating: E10+

- Graphics -

The graphics of this game are absolutely gorgeous: Impressionist approaches to the world, along with bright-yet-subdued colors, give the atmosphere a very surreal and intriguing atmosphere.

Graphics: 10/10


- Story -

I really liked the direction of the story here, such as the forging of the Master Sword (even if the method was a bit... ridiculous), the fact that Zelda was just a completely normal girl until the main quest begins, and the fact that she and Link are already acquainted. +3 points for Ghirahim, the most epic antagonist of the series :D (even though his Master was completely lame)

Story: 10/10


- Gameplay -

Okay, okay, I know everyone hates motion controls. Maybe I'm the only one who likes them (when they're done right?) Skyward Sword made excellent use of Motion+, to the point that even the angle of Link's blade depicted by the Wiimote. The flying and swordplay, along with several boss fights, were easily the highlights of the gameplay. The sidequests seemed fairly dull and far-between, unfortunately, so I gotta take points off for that. The pacing was also pretty slow and annoying in certain places. Also, Fi, stfu about my Wiimote batteries. You just made this section lose 2 points.

Gameplay: 5/10


- Music -

While I enjoyed some of the aspects of the soundtrack, I felt like aside from the flight theme, most of the music got fairly old after awhile. The execution of the tracks were great, it just felt... empty, somehow...

Music: 4/10


Total Score: 7/10

Not available for other systems

Spyro the Dragon

Genre: Platformer
Developer: Insomniac Games
Platform: Playstation
Release: 1998
Rating: E

- Graphics -

Yay, pretty colors! ...and not much else. I found the worlds to be fairly bland compared to the second and third games (which I played many years ago). Of course, I promised myself I wouldn't compare to later games, so let's go look at Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Case Closed.

Graphics: 4/10


- Story -

Gnasty Gnorc has trapped all the dragons except Spyro in statues. I dunno why he skipped Spyro. The game never says. I also don't know why he did it in the first place. The game also never says. However, given that it's a Spyro game, it's not a very critical part of the game experience, so...

Story: 4/10


- Gameplay -

Spyro has always been a fun character to control; For one thing, not many games feature a quadruped protagonist, which opens new realms of abilities. Oh, and fire. And flying.

Gameplay: 8/10


- Music -

I found the music extremely bland, and in many places, I couldn't even hear it, it was so quiet. It's like the music couldn't be heard outside of a certain range or something...

Music: 2/10


Total Score: 4.5/10

Also available for PlayStation Network (PSOne Classics)

Mega Man 2

Augh, sorry guys! Totally forgot to post for like, a month D:

Genre: Platformer
Developer: Capcom
Platform: NES (version played: GCN - Anniversary Collection)
Release: 1989
Rating: N/A

- Graphics -

Identical to Mega Man 1 in style, but perhaps slightly more detail in the background. The charming little blue 'bot is as awesome as ever!

Graphics: 7/10


- Story -

Same as Mega Man 1, really. Just different robots.

Story: 5/10


- Gameplay -

Mega Man 2 has a great array of weapons, bosses, levels, and general mechanics. One of the most well-balanced games I've played in a LONG time.

Gameplay: 9/10


- Music -

One of the best soundtracks of all time, imo, and one that many would probably agree with. Here is one game in which the character's name is in no way a misnomer (at least in the Japanese version)

Music: 10/10


Total Score: 8/10

Also available for Gamecube (collection), PS2 (collection), Virtual Console, etc.

Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap

Genre: Adventure
Developer: Flagship
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Release: 2005
Rating: E

- Graphics -

Graphics here are high-quality, high-color, and high-framerate. The effects and highly immersing world are extremely well-done!

Graphics: 10/10


- Story -

Zelda, Link's childhood friend, is turned to stone (again, lol) by Vaati, and he sets out to find a cure. Along the way, he meets Ezlo, a talking hat, and gains the ability to shrink to the size of a Minish, or "Picori". I forget exactly where Nintendo placed it in the official timeline, but it makes sense as the very first game in the series.

Story: 6/10


- Gameplay -

Every Zelda game needs a gimmick, and the gimmick of shrinking to enter small areas is very interesting-- two of the dungeons are entirely explored this size, in which Link is about the size of a gnat. Now imagine how terrifying those chu-chus must be to someone who's always been around the same size!

Gameplay: 9/10


- Music -

While the music didn't impress me as much as the graphics, I did still think the soundtrack was full of life and fairly different from previous 2D games in the series. +2 bonus points for being the only Zelda game with a sound test in-game.

Music: 9/10


Total Score: 8.5/10

Also available for 3ds (downloadable)

Lost Magic

Apologies for the delay! Haha, been so busy playing Skyward Sword and working that I completely forgot to update even after the holidays ended!

Genre: Action RPG
Developer: Ubisoft, Taito Corp.
Platform: Nintendo DS
Release: 2006
Rating: E

- Graphics -

Being a very early DS release, the SNES-style graphics we see here are fairly typical, but high quality. Non-animated sprites during dialogue sequences may seem like a turn-off, but there are so many different lively expressions for each character that it'd almost be a shame to see it animated.

Graphics: 7/10


- Story -

The game starts out pretty straightforward: Isaac finds a strange girl in the plains and brings her home for his grandmother to meet, when disaster strikes and they're forced to flee. The quest then begins in full: Learn a rune from each of the 6 Elemental Sages. However, about halfway through, we're given a choice to play through either a "good" or "evil" game-- this is what really sets the game apart.

Story: 9/10


- Gameplay -

If the story wasn't good enough for you, here's something even cooler. This is where the game really shines, with the rune-based battle system. In order to cast spells, players draw various runes on the screen (a total of 18 different runes), and up to 3 runes can be used in conjunction (though not all "Trio-Rune" combinations have an effect, all "Duo-Runes do). If that weren't enough, monsters can be captured and used to aid you; The game is pretty much impossible without them, so you'd better learn the runes to capture them quick!

Gameplay: 1010


- Music -

The soundtrack was definitely well-done, but at the same time, it didn't feel like some of the tracks really fit-- some of it really just felt like background music because, well, "it's a game, it's gotta have BGM!"

Music: 6/10


Total Score: 8/10

Not available for other systems.