Objection! The Goofy Fun of Being a Video Game Lawyer

The Steam Winter sale has officially begun and it's the perfect time to be snatching up those hot deals!  As usual, I've grabbed a few (very different) titles that have been parked on my wishlist for awhile.  I've been looking for some light, fun games that I can hop into when I feel like it and I've been bouncing between three different games:  Prison Architect, Celeste, and Phoenix Wright:  Ace Attorney Trilogy.

I've spent the most time lawyering about in Phoenix Wright:  Ace Attorney.  In Phoenix Wright you play as Phoenix Wright, a fresh-out-of-law-school lawyer who is trying to earn his stripes in the court of law.  The story plays out in a series of chapters that start with a random crime and then Phoenix choosing to defend the accused criminal(s).  The gameplay involves point-and-click investigating and plays out in a visual novel format.  The entire goal is to find clues, interrogate witnesses to get them to cough up the truth, and to use your powers of attention and deduction to help get your clients exonerated.

Since Phoenix Wright:  Ace Attorney is a trilogy, there's plenty of crime to investigate and trials to be won.  The crimes and stories can be very far-fetched and mostly are pretty silly, but it's still fun to feel like a Sherlock Holmes/Clarence Darrow level genius.  If you're looking for a light, fun, and silly game to play, look no further than Phoenix Wright:  Ace Attorney.

Pretend lawyering is fun and all, but I've also spent a bit of time managing my long-forgotten lady prison #2 in Prison Architect.  Since the game was bought up by Paradox Interactive a series of updates and a new DLC have been rolled out.  I decided to check out the new(ish) changes to the game.

The biggest changes that I noted was the fact that there are a ton of new items--namely a crap ton of new floor types, wall types, and objects.  Many of the new items are much-needed additions--there's a shower pillar that lets you build shower heads on all sides (yesssssssss!)--but others are merely cosmetic add-ons to give your prison its own unique look.  If you haven't played in awhile, check it out.

The biggest Prison Architect news is that a new DLC, Psych Ward, was recently released.  Psych Ward presents a new form of prison to manage--a psych prison that manages the criminally insane.  These special prisons require a different management style and introduce even more unique items.  I briefly considered purchasing this DLC, but after reading numerous complaints of bugs and issues I decided to give it a pass (for now).

Another game that I've spent a bit of time tinkering with is Celeste.  I have read many great things about it, but find that I have to be in just the right mood to want to play platformers.  At first I wasn't sure that I would be able to get into it, but after clearing the first and second levels (with an insane number of deaths) I found that I was enjoying it and am curious about the story.  Over my holiday break I hope to spend some more time scaling the mountain (and dying a jillion times).

Happy holidays everyone!  May your gaming days be bright!