That's budget price for Japan by the way. Needless to say it will probably be the same price as any other game when released here. The budget price confirms what many suspected: sadly there are no extra cases added this time around and it's a direct port of the original GBA title. On the plus side, overall the cases are slightly more lengthy and complex than their direct counterparts in the first game, which is perfectly demonstrated by the "tutorial" first case going on much longer for example.

With that noted, the only other real issue is the fact the game doesn't stray very far from the same design. Hence it retains all the positive and negative aspects laid down by its predecessor. It would be pointless to regurgitate all the same information regarding play mechanics, so if you are new to the whole Phoenix Wright saga, it would be far wiser to read the first review (present on this site) and pick up the game itself. This sequel does assume some initial knowledge of the first game, and it is all the better for it.

Those points from the first game are still present and correct. Linear solution? Check. Slightly tedious investigation sections? Check. The need to really think outside the box? Check. Actually let's skip that last point in terms of being detrimental. It happens to be one of reasons why the series is a compulsive time-draining experience. The designers at Capcom have to be applauded for coming up with scenarios that even Jonathan Creek would have difficulty in solving, let alone mere mortals. The joy, satisfaction and relief at cracking each case is really what matters, and not that there is only one way to reach the conclusion. Though that isn't strictly true this time; case four has two possible endings depending on the choices made.

Yes, case four. Cutting straight to the chase here and trying not to spoil anything, case four is by far the most dark and compelling case of the series, even beating out the new case five in the original DS game for sheer evil. It is an emotional rollercoaster of a trial that will tie your brain and stomach in knots trying to do not only what is right, but what has to be done for others.

This case is where the game truly fulfils its worth. There is so much joy, hope, sadness and rage across the timeframe of the trial to contend with. Why do we play videogames? It isn't always about the guns, girls and great big explosions. Sometimes it can be about the resonance between player and persona, the connection made and how by the same way as a good book or film, we can equally be swayed. If you are not affected in some way by case four, then you are dead inside. Dead, I tell ya.

Why and how can the simplistic, by comparison, presentation of this game via sprites and text generate so much feeling inside? Being able to convey these emotions is a fundamental quality of the translation work, and the team responsible have done another excellent job. It seems a little straighter than before (or "serious" if you want to put it), but there is plenty of humour present and copious in-game pop culture references to things including Fresh Prince of Bel Air, the Zelda cartoon, Lord of the Rings and YTMND. There's the odd typo or spelling mistake, but they seldom detract from the atmosphere generated.

There are also appearances from some familiar faces, bringing a definitive link between the two games, and another reason why playing the first game is a pre-requisite to get the most from the continuation. Phoenix also finally gets to see where Mia and Maya grew up with a visit to the Kurain Channelling School, and an introduction with the latest in the clan, their cousin Pearl. She just happens to be as powerful as Maya, an important plot point, and is probably the cutest eight-year-old on the planet, with an attitude well in advance of her years.

So what does the game do differently? Firstly instead of the "five strikes and out" nature of the first game, Phoenix gets a health bar for the entire case. Presenting incorrect evidence or making a wrong move during a Psyche Lock will remove some health, the amount depending on the severity of the situation. With the health bar not replenishing between court sessions either, it means there is a greater focus of actually thinking through each case instead of being able to get away with random guessing.

Indeed, the only way to regain health is to successfully complete a Psyche Lock. Some characters have deep, dark secrets they do not want to talk about; in these cases, a set of metaphorical locks will appear on screen, and all of them must be broken (by presenting correct evidence) to make them talk. It gives a boost to the investigation section and moves the plotline along by having Phoenix recover certain information before being able to confront the person in question. This is also helped by now being able to present profiles as evidence when the need to point to a specific person arises.

Overall these factors make Gyakuten Saiban 2 a more difficult game but, in part, is all the better for it and even with one less case will probably take roughly the same amount of time to complete. As the old adage goes, if you weren't enamoured by the first game then there certainly isn't much here that is going to persuade you to change your mind. For those fans captivated by the first instalment, buying this is an absolute must. Let's hope Capcom follow through and release the final GBA game in a similar format.