Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (PS2/Wii/PSP)
created by High Voltage Software, 2008

a short review is all it deserves

review written by: Caffeine

review version: Playstation 2

The structure of the game might seem eerily familiar. A case is presented, and it’s up to Harvey Birdman to win the case. You question the witness, presenting evidence that contradicts their statements. You get pieces of evidence by examining the various locales outside of court.

Aha! A startingly obvious conclusion!

Yep. Harvey Bird: Attorney at Law is Capcom’s attempt to emulate the success of Phoenix Wright: Attorney at Law. And an attempt is all it is, since this offering fails on most accounts.

But first, the good bits.

The game is funny. Not as funny as the show, but it is still funny. Any fan will find watching the animated clips a joy. Even with all the everyday emotional baggage I lug around, Harvey Birdman made me laugh throughout the game. Now that takes doing.

There are amusing references to Street Fighter in here. Well, more like Street Fighter cameos, and only for a short scene or two, and sans dialogue. And the script is funny.

Strangely familiar...

Um, that’s it, really. There isn’t much else I can say that’s good about this game.

Harvey Birdman has 5 cases in the game. Unlike Phoenix Wright however, all these cases are pretty much the same length. And they are short. I mean, really short. About an hour each. I felt cheated at the end of the last case. I paid $30 for this?

Segments of Phoenix Wright has you running around various locales, picking up pieces of evidence from crime scenes for use in court as evidence. Harvey Birdman does this too, but lacks the deeper thought that was required in Phoenix Wright. See a lobster in the safe? I’ll just take that, thanks! How about that piece of Cafeteria gruel? Sure, I love sticking things in my pocket!

Phoenix Wright had you putting the pieces together in court, presenting evidence to counter the statements of witnesses. Harvey Birdman does the same, albeit on a much simpler level, leaving a distinct lack of 'Eureka!' moments.

But... what if they're all correct?

The game also fails to live up to the writing of both the show and Phoenix Wright. It’s still funny stuff mind you, but when the highlight of the game is just the animated clips, why not just watch the show?

Hell, the DVD box set is cheaper than the game! Why didn’t I buy it instead? In fact, I think I’ll do just that.