Name: Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice Orig. Name: Gyakuten Saiban 4 (逆転裁判 4) Publisher: CAPCOM JP release: 12/04/07 US release: 19/02/08 EU release: TBA Price: ~$30,00 (Buy this game)

Gyakuten Saiban (otherwise known as Phoenix Wright in the West) brought a boom of text-based games to this gaming age where unfortunately graphics sell the most. It is the physical proof of why a game needs no fancy graphics, action, or blood spewing out everywhere to be one of the greatest games ever.

This is the another sequel to Gyakuten Saiban series which started for the GBA, and it came back with a bigger bang than ever, as well as, a new main character to take place of our beloved Naruhodo Ryuuichi (a.k.a. Phoenix Wright) in the court room where coffee can be drunk/thrown, light jokes are thrown around, lawyers, witnesses, and even the judge can be whipped by the prosecutor. Ohh, the fun!

Story/characters: 8/10
As mentioned in the introduction, this game introduces us to a new lawyer who players will be controlling. Instead of Naruhodo, we now have a newbie lawyer who goes with name, Odoroki Housuke (yep, another name that's blatantly based on an actual Japanese word!). So where is Naruhodo, you ask? He's back, but he is no longer a lawyer; for a dark reason which will be revealed when you play the game. He is now a pianist (who can't play piano at all) at a Russian restaurant, but his behind-the-scene job being a poker player who had never lost. His personality has drastically changed, as well as his looks (we no longer get to see his stingy hair that we all loved him for), but he still lurks in the world of law, helping Odoroki solve (let's ignore the fact that that isn't a lawyer's job for now) mysteries behind murder cases while not forgetting to achieve his own goal that he has devoted his life to since he lost his lawyer badge.

This story takes place over 7 years; from Naruhodo's last law case to present where Odoroki takes charge of several law cases himself. The interesting part is that all (well, almost all) of cases are connected. While the main character seems to be Odoroki, this game's storyline generally revolves around Naruhodo. As this game progresses, the mystery behind Naruhodo's end as a famous lawyer slowly gets revealed, while in the final chapter, everything comes together. Everything is executed beautifully and in right order. As usual, this game is full of surprises and excitements that will get you hooked on your DS for quite a while.

Also as usual, the player will have an assistant beside him who will be giving various hints to help the player make his deadly objections. This time, we have a 15 year old magician named Minuki, who happens to be Naruhodo's daughter (it's actually not what you think; you will see when you play the game). She is a fun and cute character, whom I actually prefer over Mayoi.

Along with the new lawyer and assistant, comes a new prosecutor named Garyuu Kyouya. He is a famous bishie rock star who succeeds the tradition of "a hot shot prosecutor" that we love tearing into pieces in the court room. He is a very likable prosecutor who has probably one of the cleanest minds and demands for truth and justice in Gyakuten Saiban series. If Godoo drinks coffee in the court room, this guy plays an air guitar. Unfortunately, he does not make funny expressions that Mitsurugi and Godoo manage to pull off so some people may find him a bit boring. But he is still very likable.

My gripe about this department is that many older casts do not make their returns; Mayoi, Yahari, Mitsurugi, and many more. The only reference we get to Mayoi are countless number of Tonosaman DVD's that Naruhodo received from her, but nothing else. It was kind of irritating that Capcom did not even prepare a story on what happened to her after the happy ending of Gyakuten Saiban 3. However, I'm sure many of you will be happy to hear that the loveable white bearded old timer judge, who gives us pleasure by drowning himself in over reaction whenever we reveal the trick behind a mystery, is back.

Furthermore, the ending seemed to be a bit rushed. I just wish there was more after story for Naruhodo and Minuki, but it's a minor problem. Besides, the ending does seem to suggest Naruhodo's return as a lawyer, so fans can always seek a thin hope for another sequel in it.

Now unlike the other titles of this series, this one only has 4 chapters. However the last chapter is very long, played using the Mason System; where the player will once again take on the role of Naruhodo and review his 7 years of evidence collecting for this one final law case (which is unfortunately rather short) that the player will be handling as Odoroki.

Lastly, the last chapter introduces revolution to the game's law system (it is nothing new to the Western law system, if you get the hint) that may possibly be used in further Gyakuten Saiban sequels if any is planned.

Gameplay: 10/10
Gyakuten Saiban is now more interactive than ever. During the inspection phases, player will be using his touch screen to seek out poisons, fingerprints, etc. in the evidences. Also, players can now zoom into evidences, rotate, and inspect suspicious spots found on them in the 3D environment.

Magatama did not make its return (actually, it does when you play as Naruhodo later in the game but in general, it does not) which can be good or bad depending on your opinion on Psycho Locks. Instead, Odoroki has a "Minuku" ability (meaning 'Perceive') which the player will be using during a case. This comes from Odoroki's wrist ring which magically tightens itself when the witness's heart rate rises. Odoroki can concentrate on the witness' movement in slow motion and zoom in on him as he speaks. When the witness starts to speak out a statement causing his heart rate to rise, he will make some kind of small patterned movement which signifies his nervousness which then Odoroki 'perceives' it (when the player points it out), forcing the witness to tell the truth.

Of course, the voice activation system is in so you can press the Y button and yell to activate a command if you are too lazy to touch the screen.

This department is great overall, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Music/sound: 10/10
Another excellent department. While the sound effects are generally the same, music selection is hotter than ever. Excellent remixes and new rock music which make the originally suspenseful and fast techno music even better can help get you hyped up in what is in reality, a very boring place that you do not want to be in; the court room.

No complaints here.

Graphics: 9/10
Honestly, not much to say here. Sprites are 2D as usual (never a bad thing). We do get some 3D environments in the game, but the old Gyakuten Saiban feeling remains untouched.

There are more animations though, and we get to see some very nice finger pointings. This little improvement makes the game more realistic per se.

Some evidence sprites are kind of pixelish but it's nothing major.

Replayability: 7/10
Well, what can I say? I definitely can't say I expected any replayability in a Gyakuten Saiban game. When you are finished with the game, it's finished. No more reason to play it, unless of course, you tend to play the same scenarios over and over again because it's just that good which I can't speak for everyone else but is the case for me. Not bad.

Overall: 8.6, rounded to 9/10
Some fans may find this game rather discouraging because of Naruhodo's new naughty attitude and because he's no longer a lawyer, but there's a reason for it and it's a part of the great story. The story still mainly deals with Naruhodo so it isn't that bad for Naruhodo fans.

Other than that, I see no major reason to avoid this game especially if you are a long time Gyakuten Saiban fan. Is it just like the old Gyakuten Saiban games? Probably not. Is it a bad game because it isn't?

OBJECTION!