Phoenix Wright - New game genres, ftw!

[Murray]

I finished the game this morning. I have to say, it was neat to see a new game genre that turned out this good. It feels relaxing somehow rather than to be playing RPG, RTS or FPS all the time, but to experience a new game genre. There has been a great lack of those lately, if you ask me.

For those of you unfamiliar with it, it's a defence attorney game for Nintendo DS, where you go through trials and use your proof to contratict any witnesses claims. Finding the truth in order to prove the defendant innocent is your main objective.

I'd like to point out my personal views on this game. First of all, I was amazed how addicted I were to the game. I could be playing it for hours straight, unlike most other games I've been playing as of late. It seemed like the batteries in my DS had shorter life than usual for each recharge. I guess that could possibly be a bad thing, but you catch my drift.

I really liked each character's personallity and the way you got to know about them and their life, how you got to unfold each character's inner secrets step by step and how that in turn made the plot thicken. I liked the fact that you had to think for yourself how to solve each case, but you never were completely clueless. You always felt rewarded when comming to a compelling conclution to the defendant's statement and claim a contradiction to each testimony.

The game was mostly ment as a game of taste. Most people probably aren't gonna try it out, however as far as I know, it got sold out in USA due to the distributors not thinking it would make that great of a success, and thus they didn't release that many copies of the game. This is just a rumor I heard from a friend though, so don't take my word for it.

I hope more game developers will make more new game genres rather than just more of the aforementioned game genres, because I frankly think there are too many of them. I also hope that there will be lots of new game genres (or new ways to play old games) on the Revolution. And I hope that other game developers will realise that it's about time they come up with something new.

Anyone who has played the game, feel free to state your thoughts on what you think of it and pherhaps you could tell me about any other new game genre, prefferably consisting of a good game. Cheers. :cheers:

 

[DEATH eVADER]

For those of you unfamiliar with it, it's a defence attorney game for Nintendo DS, where you go through trials and use your proof to contratict any witnesses claims. Finding the truth in order to prove the defendant innocent is your main objective.

I remember hearing about the game, theres also a surgery game that seems interesting

 

[Gargantou]

There're quite alot original games like these in Japan/Asia, sadly seeing as they don't think they'll do well enough in NA/EU, they veeery rarely get released outside of Asia..
So rather than hoping more game devs will make more new genres, lets also hope the ones that are already making "new genres" start to release'em outside of their own enclosed territories so EVERYONE can enjoy'em...

Besides, it's not just up to the game devs..
The problem today Murray, is that game devs, atleast large ones that can't rely on Steam etc and online-distribution, are dependent on publishers, this can be a good or bad thing depending on the publisher,but the publisher invests in the dev of the game..
Publishers are all about money, which means they USUALLY do NOT want to try new genres etc because they only want to do concepts they KNOW have SOLD and WILL SELL.
I think there're quite a few game devs out there that WANT to do all these original crazy ideas they have, but they can't due to pressure from their "superiors"!

You should read The Scratchware Manifesto!
I quote.

Walk into your local bookstore; you'll find tens of thousands of titles. Walk into your local record store; you'll find thousands of albums. Walk into your local software store; you'll find perhaps 40 games.

Yet thousands of games are released each year.

The only games that fill those 40 slots are those on which publishers have lavished millions in placement and promotion and advertising and marketing dollars. The only games that make it to the shelves are those on which publishers have advanced millions in development funding, because they know that only a handful will succeed, will ever recoup the millions or tens of millions they spend in developing and launching them, because to succeed, a game must pass through the eye of the needle, become one of the handful that make it to the shelves or to the cover of PC Games.

And another good quote.

You need thirty talents to develop a game? Bullshit. Richard Garriott programmed Ultima by himself in a matter of weeks. Chris Crawford developed Balance of Power sitting by himself at his Mac. Chris Sawyer created RollerCoaster Tycoon--last year's #1 best-selling game--almost entirely on his own

Ofcourse, this article is a "bit" dated now a days, but imo it still holds true.

 

[Murray]

Gargantou, yes. You have many good points. It's sad. I really enjoyed the taste of original game content. It's wierd however that these game producers see that RTS or RPG or FPS sell good, then they stick to this game genre and spend lots of money on advertising them, but they could as easily wind up as crappy game as they would fear a new game genre migt end up.

 

[Reginald]

I want the game just to shout "OBJECTION" very loudly on the bus.

And also because it looks to be a superb game. Although Animal Crossing and Oblvion take priority at the mo.

 

[Murray]

I want the game just to shout "OBJECTION" very loudly on the bus.

Point taken.

 

[ríomhaire]

Sounds like a puzzle game...

 

[Murray]

Sounds like a puzzle game...

While seeming that way, I must disagree. Of course it may be a matter of how you define a puzzle game. My definition would be, to toy around with blocks, like Tetris, Puzznic and such. Pherhaps it's like one of those RPG questions. There are no concrete elements that point out it's a RPG, you just know it.
In any case. I think that calling it a puzzle game would be too simple. It's a matter of puzzling with evidence and testimonies, yes. But I don't think that's reason enough to call it a puzzle game.

 

[ríomhaire]

You wouldn't class Monkey Island as a puzzle game?

 

[Reginald]

You wouldn't class Monkey Island as a puzzle game?

If you count Monkey Island as a puzzle game, then Phoenix Wright is too. They're quite similar in mechanics.

 

[Murray]

You wouldn't class Monkey Island as a puzzle game?

Well, no. That's more of an adventure "point and click" game in my definition.
It's about solving puzzles as well, but it has a storyline to the thing wich makes it special. I agree it has a puzzle element in it, but as I said, my definition of puzzle is, moving blocks or something simple.

 

[Asuka]

I just recently got into a new genre. Adventer games. Only mouse games. Like Still Life/Scratches. Got to say im liking the relaxing feel of sitting back playing with one had. Nothing intense. Got to say for whoever is looking for a adventer game you have to pick up Still Life. One of the best iv played with a very good story. Can get little hard but you can always use the hints.

 

[Murray]

I just recently got into a new genre. Adventer games. Only mouse games. Like Still Life/Scratches. Got to say im liking the relaxing feel of sitting back playing with one had. Nothing intense. Got to say for whoever is looking for a adventer game you have to pick up Still Life. One of the best iv played with a very good story. Can get little hard but you can always use the hints.

That sounds interesting. I must remind myself to look into it.

 

[Warbie]

I nearly imported this a while back. Reading you saying how much fun it is makes Phoenix Wright even more tempting

 

[Fishlore]

I remember hearing about the game, theres also a surgery game that seems interesting

The game you're talking about is Trauma Center: Life in the ER. I really enjoyed that game immensely. It makes great use of the stylus and it is a very unique game. It got really hard though and I still haven't finished it.

My roomate really got into Pheonix Wright and I might have to borrow his copy of the game and give it a try.

 

[Jintor]

Any of you guys heard of, say Oendan?