Hey guys!
I'm gonna make this a thing: Kim Reviews journals are quick reviews of video games. Since I recently played them, it'll be easier for me to recall my experience. Let me know if you want me to review a specific game!
I might say spoilers unknowingly, and should that ever happen I sincerely apologize!
Have a nice day! (ㆁᴗㆁ✿)و
– Kim
Professor Layton VS Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
The game is a crossover visual novel/adventure puzzle video game joint-developed by Level-5 and Capcom and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS.
Set in modern times in London, the story opens up as mysterious shady creatures were chasing Espella Cantabella, an escapee. Professor Layton's heroes, Hershel Layton and Luke Triton, were whisked away in an adventure after a fateful meeting with Espella. Baffled by the events that unfolded before their eyes, the pair was taken to the medieval world of magic through, apparently what it seemed, a magic book! Meanwhile, Phoenix Wright's main protagonists, Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey travel to London for work and got themselves in that very same situation.
I enjoyed the game a lot–it’s kinda like reading a book and watching a movie–but if I was to compare it to the first 4 PL games (the only ones I’ve played so far), this would be bottom on the list.
If you are fan of one or both series, you should definitely give it a try!
I'm gonna make this a thing: Kim Reviews journals are quick reviews of video games. Since I recently played them, it'll be easier for me to recall my experience. Let me know if you want me to review a specific game!
I might say spoilers unknowingly, and should that ever happen I sincerely apologize!
Have a nice day! (ㆁᴗㆁ✿)و
– Kim
Professor Layton VS Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
The game is a crossover visual novel/adventure puzzle video game joint-developed by Level-5 and Capcom and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS.
Set in modern times in London, the story opens up as mysterious shady creatures were chasing Espella Cantabella, an escapee. Professor Layton's heroes, Hershel Layton and Luke Triton, were whisked away in an adventure after a fateful meeting with Espella. Baffled by the events that unfolded before their eyes, the pair was taken to the medieval world of magic through, apparently what it seemed, a magic book! Meanwhile, Phoenix Wright's main protagonists, Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey travel to London for work and got themselves in that very same situation.
THE BREAKDOWN
✦ Gameplay – 9/10The game combines the core gameplay of the two series–puzzle-solving and court trials–which I thought blended very well.
One thing's for sure, you will be excessively reading. This game is not for you if you don't like that, although I almost fell asleep at chapter 5 or 6 from lack of balance with the actual gameplay and story scenes.
Puzzles were very easy and trials were implemented with hint coins, if you're stuck. Cross-examining multiple witnesses at the same time was added and I thought it was witty and cool.
✐ Story – 7/10One thing's for sure, you will be excessively reading. This game is not for you if you don't like that, although I almost fell asleep at chapter 5 or 6 from lack of balance with the actual gameplay and story scenes.
Puzzles were very easy and trials were implemented with hint coins, if you're stuck. Cross-examining multiple witnesses at the same time was added and I thought it was witty and cool.
As an avid fan of both series, I looked forward to the story the most considering PL is known for its great plot twists and revelations at the end of the game.
I thought the ending was just okay (compared to my favorite PL title, Unwound Future). I know the PL games stick to science-y stuff and I enjoy how they write scenarios but this one was exaggerated to the point that it’s laughable, such as doing ridiculously specific things like ringing a bell to do a trick.
✿ Presentation – 10/10I thought the ending was just okay (compared to my favorite PL title, Unwound Future). I know the PL games stick to science-y stuff and I enjoy how they write scenarios but this one was exaggerated to the point that it’s laughable, such as doing ridiculously specific things like ringing a bell to do a trick.
It was my first time seeing the characters I love in 3D sprites blending perfectly with the hand-painted 2D backgrounds. One of my favorite Capcom artists, Kazuya Nuri, designed the characters and drew the box art which I thought was a splendid job.
The animation of the characters, like Phoenix's famous sweating face and Luke's hand-on-the-hat sprite was redone, and it's great that they didn't stray from the characters' iconic gestures.
♬ Music – 6/10The animation of the characters, like Phoenix's famous sweating face and Luke's hand-on-the-hat sprite was redone, and it's great that they didn't stray from the characters' iconic gestures.
There were a few new tunes made originally for the game, but the rest of the soundtrack is a bunch of new arrangements of old PL and PW tracks. It was breathtaking hearing those melodies ingame again, considering the last time I played both series was many years ago.
The mysterious-sounding tracks get a bit repetitive but not too tedious to listen to. I love its renditions of the Professor Layton Theme and Objection tracks a lot!
★ Post-game – 9/10The mysterious-sounding tracks get a bit repetitive but not too tedious to listen to. I love its renditions of the Professor Layton Theme and Objection tracks a lot!
After beating the game, you unlock bonus content such as the gallery of early concept designs of the characters and whatnot, as well as DLC episodes (that are completely free). These special episodes are snippets about the characters' lives after the ending and offers one puzzle each. I thought it's cute that they sometimes make allusions to the player of the game and even talk about the 3DS! XD
The whole game, including my puzzle-solving time, took me around 25 hours to complete. It's pretty short, but seeing as they added more episodes to pad it a little makes it all worthwhile.
The whole game, including my puzzle-solving time, took me around 25 hours to complete. It's pretty short, but seeing as they added more episodes to pad it a little makes it all worthwhile.
OVERALL
+ Cute and witty script
+ Great collaboration of both franchises
+ Story may make you cry (Ohhh, the feels!)
– Excessive reading, gets a little boring at times
– Needs balance in gameplay and story
– Too much Layton spotlight, making Phoenix look inferior
– Phoenix, Maya and Espella's voices need more oomph
+ Great collaboration of both franchises
+ Story may make you cry (Ohhh, the feels!)
– Excessive reading, gets a little boring at times
– Needs balance in gameplay and story
– Too much Layton spotlight, making Phoenix look inferior
– Phoenix, Maya and Espella's voices need more oomph
I enjoyed the game a lot–it’s kinda like reading a book and watching a movie–but if I was to compare it to the first 4 PL games (the only ones I’ve played so far), this would be bottom on the list.
If you are fan of one or both series, you should definitely give it a try!
