Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney 2 [Justice for All]

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney 2 [Justice for All] (Nintendo DS)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The second installment to the Ace Attorney games continues game play as Phoenix Wright, defense attorney. From the start of the game, it sounds like Phoenix is having some doubts about continuing as a lawyer. This isn't as surprising if you are playing the games in order. The last trial was a brutal one that nearly tore Phoenix and many of his friends working in law apart. Not sure this set of trials can be considered much better with Maya taking a pretty big hit. We do get to meet Pearly this time around as well as another von Karma. The shaking screen still is unsettling for me, but so far as not been enough to make me stop playing indefinitely.

How To Train Your Dragon

How To Train Your Dragon (DS)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I really wanted to like this game as I love HTTYD. Sadly, this is not the case. The game is very boxed in and repetitive, with very slow battle sequences and forced "quests" to unlock new parts of the village or build new armor. If it was a little more free range like Rise of Berk, then it would probably be more enjoyable. The web games downfall is the need for runes (the "freemium" currency of the game). Those don't exist in this game, but it has plenty of pitfalls of it's own instead. The upside? It's Toothless.

Professor Layton 4: The Last Specter

Professor Layton 4: The Last Specter (Nintendo DS)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The first of the Professor Layton games I actually played on a 3DS despite it also being released for the DS. The story is cute and holds plenty of twists and turns. There are several mini games added in, so there is never any drop in things to do in the game. It is curious that this is the fourth installment in the game series when it in facts appears to be the original story of how Luke and Professor Layton met in the first place, resulting in Luke becoming his apprentice. Still, it is nice to get the story, even if it is a little late. It also begs the question of where Emmy went since she plays a rather large role in this case and obviously enjoys working with the Professor. It's hard to believe that she wouldn't mind being "replaced" by Luke so easily, though no mention of it is ever made in the game. Keep in mind that blindly following directions in the game may mean you miss a couple of puzzles along the way, so you'll want to keep up with the puzzle shack, as always.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (Nintendo DS)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


After mostly playing touch screen games on my DS lately (Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright series), it was a strange adjustment to go to using the game console buttons for this one. Despite that hiccup that initially drove me a little batty during combat, I am finding myself enjoying the game. It can be a little frustrating at times, but the cameo appearances of different Disney characters makes it a little more fun and adds a bit of sense to some of the "zones" that would otherwise be missing in game play.

Professor Layton 3: The Unwound Future

Professor Layton 3: The Unwound Future (Nintendo DS)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I still thoroughly enjoy this series. In fact, it is 2 other games for this saga limited to the 3DS that have me even considering getting that console in the future. More puzzles, the same seamless art and another mystery to solve. I just started this one last night and am already itching to get back to it.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (Nintendo DS)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The story is interesting as you play young attorney Phoenix Wright through various cases and inquiries. It's challenging to figure out where to go, who to talk to and what order things go to make it click. The downside is that any time something highly emotional and/or loud happens in the game, the image on the screen shakes. It might not be a big deal to other people, but it tends to set off my vertigo and/or make it worse for me. An annoyance whenever I want to play it.

Professor Layton 1: The Curious Village

Professor Layton 1: The Curious Village (Nintendo DS)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a storyline game where you find various puzzles and find clues to solve the mystery. I enjoy puzzles, so the games are fun. The only downside is that sometimes it is difficult to find the puzzle, or they won't show it to you even when you go right by it. So the only way to find/solve some of them is to visit the puzzle shack. Other than that, enjoy the brainteasers!

Professor Layton 2: The Diabolical Box

Professor Layton 2: The Diabolical Box (Nintendo DS)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another series of brain teasers with an interesting story line. The first of the Professor Layton games that I got through. The brainteasers are fun, but sometimes hard to find. So visit the puzzle shack often and enjoy the ride.

Bleach: The Blade of Fate

Bleach: The Blade of Fate (Nintendo DS)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This game is largely Bleach meets Mortal Kombat. Obviously only one player since it is on the DS. Very simple and easy to beat. The other setting goes through the first part of the Bleach story line  Also very easy, even if you didn't know the series and what is supposed to happen.