Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright Reviews

Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright is ranked in the 79th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.5 / 10.0
Aug 25, 2014

You wouldn't think it, but the Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright series complement each other very well. This game is fanservice at its best: gameplay styles that work beautifully together, two iconic characters teaming up to use their deductive skills, and thankfully a lack of cameos and franchise clutter. While not as challenging or involved as the best games from either series, this is still a crossover fans of both Wright and Layton don't want to pass up.

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8 / 10
Mar 18, 2014

This crossover between Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright brings the best of two worlds into one game. With its very well thought and executed concept, Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright is set to charm fans of both series alike. It does miss out, though, on the quantity and quality of the puzzles offered, as well as on the lacklustre outcome of its plot, perhaps a casualty of such an ambitious crossover.

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4 / 5.0
Aug 29, 2014

Overall, the game doesn't quite break the kind of new ground some fans might desire for a crossover between two iconic characters. It feels like it tried to take things safe so it doesn't alienate fans of the two franchises who may have differing expectations. At the same time, it does a great job of polishing and melding the strengths of two series while breathing new life to old mechanics such as court cases. If you're a fan of either series or like playing games that give your twitch reflexes a break while exercising your noggin, then this title is something you won't have any objection to.

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Unscored
Sep 15, 2014

Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a game that I’d recommend to any fan of either series.

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 28, 2014

An excellent addition to the 3DS library, Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright offers the best of both franchises in fantastic bite sized portions.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 3, 2014

After playing Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, I realized that the lengthy title is actually perfect. This is a cross-over by definition, but the game plays like the Layton sections and the Ace Attorney sections were made separately and mashed together. Instead of a perfect fusion like Gogeta from Dragon Ball Z, it's more like Janus from Roman mythology, having two very different faces looking in different directions.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 18, 2014

The first crossover between Professor Layton and Ace Attorney is a fantastic adventure that is sure to please fans of either series. At its best it is an engaging and entertaining visual novel, while at its worst it is less than sum of its parts.

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GameXplain
Ted Wiesen
Top Critic
Liked-a-lot
Aug 25, 2014
Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Video Review (3DS) video thumbnail
PCMag
Top Critic
Sep 29, 2014

Layton's brain-teasing puzzles and Ace Attorney's rigorous courtroom circus make for a surprisingly good match despite some pacing and plot issues.

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Aug 28, 2014

With a great execution of both series' mechanics, a solid and well-paced story, and appealing presentation, Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a must-play for adventure fans.

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Jan 14, 2015

Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright was an excellent experiment that captures both series rather well. The puzzle vs court case gameplay tie together seamlessly while not stepping too far outside their box. Again, the story may take some giant leaps and drags on a bit too long, but it’s still a game worth visiting for fans of each series. From this gentleman, there are no objections here.

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75 / 100
Mar 1, 2015

While the gameplay in Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney consists of each series’ respective experiences, neither feels like the full experience fans would expect from each of the series on their own. The Layton-style puzzles are dumbed down to the point of being overly simple and even boring at times, while the Ace Attorney courtroom battles are shorter and more straight-forward than fans will be used to.

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7.8 / 10.0
Sep 5, 2014

I’d love to have seen a more radical take on each title’s conventions in order to play a mash-up that’s truly different. As an advertisement for each legacy franchise, though, Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright is a solid showcase for what both do better than any other game, if only by default.

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8.4 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2014

Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a combination of two wholly unique franchises which takes place fairly smoothly primarily thanks to the already-fantastical nature of the story. Of course it’s ridiculous, but the story is actually quite fun, and it’s compelling and unpredictable enough to captivate those with a bit of patience and willingness to accept it for what it is. Best of all, the gameplay from both series is represented well, set against the backdrop of a truly great presentation. Whether you choose to label it a cash-in or a shameless celebration, it’s collaborative love from Level-5 and Capcom that you probably won’t want to miss.

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CGMagazine
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Sep 24, 2014

Something that will please long time fans and newcomers alike.

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games(TM)
games™ Team
Top Critic
Unscored
Mar 19, 2014

It’s too wordy for its own good, and the clash of styles is sometimes jarring and somewhat nonsensical, but this blend of two classics maintains enough quality from each to be well worth investigating. a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging crossover.

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4.1 / 5.0
Aug 26, 2014

As a fan of both series, I can say with confidence that Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney pays equal tribute to both. If you're a fan of either, you'll find plenty of nods to your respective adventure alma mater. If you're a fan of both, you're in for a memorable experience with two praiseworthy protagonists embarking on a journey side by side. Some story elements and newly hatched characters are a bit flaccid, and there is a remedial quality to the puzzles, but they are small criticisms that are overshadowed by great artwork, remarkable music, and well-blended gameplay from both universes.

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Impulsegamer
Top Critic
4 / 5.0
Apr 16, 2014

The worlds of puzzle-wizard Professor Layton and ace attorney Phoenix Wright combine for the ultimate brain teaser

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8.5 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2014

While it’s not everything it could have been, Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is still a funny, charming, dramatic, and emotional game, one that brings two very different franchises together into one fantastic gaming crossover.

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GBAtemp
Top Critic
8.2 / 10.0
Aug 26, 2014

For maximum enjoyment of this title, I would highly recommend playing the titles from both franchises. I feel that only enjoying one character's game will reduce the fun by half - thus limiting the overall enjoyment. Get into both series, and then this game becomes that much better, because the puzzles are still able to maintain a freshness without repeating. And at $30, this title is pretty dense in content. There's a lot to be able to witness in this game. Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a truly solid adventure that takes the best from two very greatly written worlds and puts them in the same game - puzzle solving and courtroom action. Fans of either franchise will feel at home and at the same time will be able to explore the other game, hopefully developing an interest in the other franchise to continue playing them once they beat this title. The best part is, you don't really need knowledge of either franchise to be able to play this game through (although playing the previous entries of each franchise will help you understand some of the jokes or references). You can simply pick up this title and the storytelling will do the rest. Putting aside the minor gripes of rather weak voice acting and some linearity problems, you still have an excellent title to look at, and I couldn't recommend this title more - it's thrilling entertainment that will be sure to last for a good number of hours. Big shout out to my press contacts at Nintendo of America for making this review possible!

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