Summary

Dual Destinies stands out for bringing the Ace Attorney series into a new dimension with its 3D visuals, while maintaining the charm and complexity that fans love.

• Release Year: 2013
• Genres: Adventure, Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Visual Novel
• Platforms: Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS
• Developers: Capcom
• Publishers: Capcom

Introduction

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies continues the legacy of the series with innovative gameplay mechanics and a compelling narrative.

Synopsis

The game is set around a year after the previous game, “Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney”, in a time where the court system has entered a dark era of false charges and fabricated evidence. This crisis, caused in part by the event that led to Phoenix being unjustly disbarred, sparks Phoenix’s desire to return to the law again to make things right.

The player takes the roles of three defense attorneys: Phoenix Wright, Apollo Justice, and Athena Cykes. They defend their clients in multiple cases and try to restore confidence in the courts. The gameplay is split into investigation sections, where the player searches for evidence and talks to witnesses, and trials, where they search for inconsistencies between witness testimonies and the evidence.

Each character has unique gameplay mechanics: Phoenix can see “psyche-locks” over witnesses who are hiding something, Apollo can spot visual cues in witnesses that indicate deception, and Athena can detect conflicting emotions in witnesses’ voices.

The game introduces a new mode called “Young Driver Test”, which is a tutorial and training mode set at the Yas Marina Circuit. Here, players learn how to drive a Formula One car by completing a series of tests. This mode is designed to introduce new players to the handling characteristics of Formula One cars as they are given instruction by various Formula One drivers.

The game also features a “Season Challenge” mode. In this mode, players start as a member of a lower-rated team and must challenge rival drivers from other teams to improve their standing. If the player beats their rival, they take their place in their team and the player’s old team takes their old rival.

The “Career” mode is a full five-season career where the player starts with a lower-rated team and attempts to work their way up the grid. The “Champions Mode” allows players to take on each of the six champions in turn, starting with Kimi Räikkönen and culminating with a final challenge against Sebastian Vettel.

The game also includes a “Proving Grounds” mode, where players can take on time trial challenges and compare their scores with others. The “Time Attack” mode is a simple race against the clock, and the “Time Trial” mode allows players to set their best time over a single lap.

Characters

Phoenix Wright, Apollo Justice, Athena Cykes, and a roster of memorable clients and adversaries.

Gameplay

Combines investigation phases with courtroom trials, enhanced by 3D graphics and the introduction of the ‘Mood Matrix’.

Conclusion

Dual Destinies is a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike, offering a rich narrative experience and engaging gameplay.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern