Be a Ghost, Play Some Tricks

If you have played any of the Ace Attorney series from Capcom, you know that the developer can conjure up some some very fascinating stories and highly memorable characters from the goofiest of situations. The same is the case here with Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective for the Nintendo DS. The game starts off with you realizing that you are dead in the middle of nowhere and being very oblivious to what actually happened to you. You are then taught how to use "the powers of the dead" to help you discover the truth of the situation before the morning comes when the last remnant of your existence fades. Those powers include your ability to possess inanimate objects that are within your range and then performing "tricks" on them, causing them to perform their normal functions to your advantage. You move from one scenario to the next by manipulating the objects around you to get you closer and closer to the people and the information that you need to accomplish your main goal of self-discovery as well as closure.

His corpse looks so well rested.

Though the entire game does not progress in real time, the scripted events are very well thought of and they provide you with a great sense of chronological continuity. At first, the gameplay seems very simple because all you are doing is transporting to and from the ghost world to possess things but then there is also a time travel element added into the mix. Similar to those very somber sequences in Valkyrie Profile and definitely as effective, you get to witness 4 minutes leading to someone's death but unlike that other game, you get to relive it over and over to try and save that individual's' life. These sequences are not only very affecting and emotional but they also provide an incredible sense of fulfillment when you are able to solve them. Ghost Trick uses 3D models on top of crisp 2D backgrounds and the character animations and designs are truly top notch. This is one game that is hard to put down mainly because of the well-written scenarios. It is safe to say that I am currently possessed by it.

FIRST IMPRESSION: 5 out of 5