That said, it feels like the new game has been designed for playing in smaller, easier sittings. You’ll still earn penalties for wild accusations without evidence, so it’s not become a complete cakewalk. Having to suffer through the same generic failing dialogue over and over again is punishment enough. You can make as many false accusations as you wish during these minigames without fear that the judge will get call the trial to a premature end. In a marked change from the previous games, using these powers doesn’t earn you a penalty during the trials. You can learn more about Athena’s special power in my preview, which also includes a demo video.

Athena’s power lies in something called “analytical psychology”, based on a computer around her neck that she calls Widget. Apollo wears a bracelet that pulses when a witness is lying and allows him to spot minuscule movements that betray the false testimony. Phoenix has his “magatama”, a pendant that allows him to see “Psyche-Locks” that indicate when a witness is hiding a serious lie in their testimony. Gameplay ChangesĮach protagonist has their own special investigation power. Throughout Dual Destinies you’ll investigate and try court cases as three defence attorneys from the Wright Anything Agency: Phoenix Wright, the agency’s owner Apollo Justice, Phoenix’s junior who featured in his own Ace Attorney game and their newest employee Athena Cykes. As the fifth Ace Attorney game coming over 10 years after the original GBA game, the new game has a huge set of expectations. As well as having a ridiculously long name, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies has a long heritage to follow.

The Beast and Me by D.S. Wrights