One is a brilliant archeologist who has traveled the world solving puzzles and unearthing ancient civilizations. The other is a bumbling defense attorney whose sense of justice is matched only by his sense of style. The two seem like an unlikely pair, but with the life of an innocent girl at stake in Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, the two heroes join forces to tackle an enigmatic mystery big enough for both of them. The Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney game launches for Nintendo 3DS on Aug. 29 and combines the puzzle-solving satisfaction of the Professor Layton series with the courtroom drama of the Phoenix Wright franchise. “This is the whole truth and nothing but the truth: Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is an absolute treat for longtime fans of both series and newcomers who love puzzles and engaging stories,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “The game offers solid proof that the Nintendo 3DS library overflows with exclusive, one-of-a-kind experiences.”
After a mysterious book pulls Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright into the mystical, medieval city of Labyrinthia, they face one of their most high-stake thrillers yet. A young girl named Espella Cantabella stands trial for witchcraft and, if convicted, faces a harsh punishment. It’s up to Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright to explore the city, solve puzzles to find clues, cross-examine witnesses and crack the case to prove Espella’s innocence and rewrite the fate of a city.
Throughout the game, players control Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright in separate segments that work together in unexpected ways. When playing as Professor Layton, players explore the various districts of Labyrinthia. By talking to eclectic townsfolk and solving the kind of original puzzles familiar to fans of the Professor Layton series, players can gather compelling clues and evidence to break the case wide open. When Phoenix Wright takes over, players must listen to the testimonies of various witnesses and cross-examine them. In an exciting twist to traditional Phoenix Wright game play, the well-coiffed defense attorney can cross-examine groups of people simultaneously, a brilliant strategy for spotting contradictory testimonies and scoring valuable new information.
While both reprise their starring roles in certain sections of the game, Layton and Wright must combine their skills in key moments to uncover the truth about Labyrinthia. During courtroom trials, for example, Phoenix Wright can use hint coins – a staple of the Professor Layton series – to narrow options when presenting evidence, or to provide helpful hints when cross-examining witnesses. The game’s gorgeous musical score brings their two worlds together, fusing the vivid, accordion-tinged sounds of Professor Layton with the dramatic Phoenix Wright themes.
The Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright games boast memorable casts featuring some of the most fascinating and wild supporting characters in video games. Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is no exception. In addition to fan-favorite characters like assistants Luke Triton and Maya Fey, new characters, including the foreboding Storyteller and inquisitor Barnham, round out an unforgettable cast.
Once players complete the main story mode in Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, they will unlock access to free downloadable content for the game. This content comes in the form of mini-episodes, which contain new puzzles for players to solve, and art galleries containing illustrations from the game.
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney will be available in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS on Aug. 29 at the suggested retail price of $29.99. For more information about the game, visit http://laytonvsphoenixwright.nintendo.com.