Review: Phoenix Wright Season 2 – Episode 1

I reviewed the first season (post here) and gave it a good review. However, I don’t think I will be continuing this one because I wasn’t too impressed with how the first episode was handled.

I didn’t like the pacing of the first episode. It was very rushed. A criticism I had in my review on the first season appeared again because Phoenix figured out contradictions really fast. It makes the case seem so easy, but the game is a bit harder. I think they could have showed us Phoenix’s thought process more, instead of having him point out contradictions immediately.

It also didn’t sit right with me that there was such an energetic mood, even though someone had just been murdered. Maggey Byrde seemed a little too happy, even though the victim was her boyfriend. Then Gumshoe sends her roses at the end of the episode which was funny, but too soon! What kind of mood are they going for? The exaggerated effects made me laugh, so I guess they want the audience to laugh while watching this court case.

The focus of season 2 is on the third game in the Phoenix Wright game, Trials and Tribulations. However, the first episode is on the first case in the second case. This makes sense because the first case in the third game is a bit heavy and may draw watchers away. Episode two will be on the second case of the third game, so maybe the first case will be in a future episode.

I love the opening theme because Yamashita Tomohisa (Yamapi) sings it. I recognized his voice right away because he was my idol when I was in high school. This was one of the best parts of the show.

Final verdict: Dropped.