Part 2: Episode 1, Pre-Trial: Meet the Cast

Part 2: Episode 1, Pre-Trial: Meet the Cast



Cut to... elsewhere.

Music: Courtroom Lobby ~ Beginning Overture



Hey that's us! This game is first-person? Also, good time to point out that internal monologue is in parentheses and colored text like in this screenshot.



Looks like we're about to meet Mia.



That's... not even remotely courtroom-appropriate attire.

Oh, h-hiya, Chief.

Yeah I'm not going to screenshot every single line of dialogue. My text will have no icon in front, game text will have an icon like the one above. And I know we haven't technically seen ourselves yet, but well I already saw this much on the store page when I bought the game so I already know what we look like here; I'll use this generic sprite any time that Phoenix talks and we can't see him. Also, the screen shook here, so apparently we're nervous talking to our boss?

Whew, I'm glad I made it on time.

Well, I have to say Phoenix, I'm impressed!



Right off the bat? Did we just start here?

It says a lot about you... and your client as well.

Um... thanks.

Actually, it's because I owe him a favor.

That must be a hell of a favor...



You mean, you knew the defendant before this case?

Yes.

Actually, I kind of owe my current job to him.

He's one of the reasons I became an attorney.



Right about here I notice the commands we have throughout this dialogue, and since I have no idea what I'm doing I decide to check them out now instead of waiting for the proper time.



Hitting "Escape" gives us the same options as before, except an additional line at the time for saving/loading. Apparently we can do that at any time here, which is a nice convenience.



Might as well save while we're here. I guess this really is the trial itself already?



Hitting "Tab" brings up what's basically our inventory screen for the game. That'll come up more later.



We only have two things right now - our attorney's badge (looks like we really are a defense attorney) and the autopsy report for the victim. If these two things are really all the evidence we have as a murder trial is starting, our client is screwed.



Mia is our boss and apparently the named partner of the firm at only 27. Good thing she's here to help us out I guess. We'll look at the other two characters a little later...



I just... really want to help him. I owe him that much.



A new voice, with a special colored font! Also, this time parentheses means background voice? It's definitely not internal monologue as we'll see shortly.



...

Is that your client screaming over there?

Yeah... it's him.





Heavy screen shaking on this one. This person seems rather upset, if you couldn't already tell from the words.

It sounds like he wants to die...

Um, yeah. *sigh*



Oh lord it's anime crying eyes. And this guy is seriously named Butz? And who's Nick?

Hey. Hey there, Larry.



What?!

Gimme the death sentence! I ain't afraid to die!

Okay we're definitely not putting this guy on the stand.

What!? What's wrong, Larry?



I can't live in a world without her! I can't!

Who... who took her away from me, Nick? Who did this?!

Aww, Nick, ya gotta tell me! Who took my baby away!?

I guess we're "Nick", maybe a nickname for Phoenix? Phoe-nicks?

(Hmm... The person responsible for your girlfriend's death?)



The red text is I guess when something important comes up? We already knew we were a defense attorney and that this clown is our client, but this line confirms that the victim was the guy's girlfriend. And if you've ever watched any true crime shows, you know the boyfriend/husband always did it.



We fade out for a little more backstory...

Here's the story:

My first case is a fairly simple one.



The guy they arrested was the unlucky sap dating her:





I don't know why that text would be highlighted.



He has a knack for getting himself in trouble.

One thing I can say though: it's usually not his fault. He just has terrible luck.

But I know better than anyone, that he's a good guy at heart.

That and I owe him one. Which is why I took the case... to clear his name.

And that's just what I'm going to do!

Yeah, we will! I'm fired up coach, next time let's show off our supreme lawyerly skills!